Q: I recently received a huge single plank table (probably from the late 1800’s) that would make a wonderful large outdoor dining table. I would like to construct some kind of outdoor eating space in my large yard, separate from the house, that includes some architectural elements to make it feel more permanent. Can you make any suggestions?

Katherine from Brookville, MD

A: What a dreamy project. Since your yard is large, evaluate a few possible locations for you outdoor dining space first. Is there a large tree that might provide shade or a feeling of semi-enclosure overhead? Is there a nearby outbuilding, fence, or stone wall that might help to define its borders? Is there a rock outcropping or other feature that might be incorporated into the space? Is there a particular view or approach to take into account?

Once you’ve identified the sweet spot for your dining space, you’ll want to

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Q: I’m currently remodeling my 1960s single-story ranch home. My question is whether you think it’s possible to add an attached garage (with living space above) without dwarfing the original box-type ranch? I believe that I’m constrained by the original 6/12 pitch of my ranch and the height needed for living space above the garage.

 Matthew from Westfield, MA

A: This is tricky. You’re right; you’ll want to modulate the difference between the eave/roof height of the existing ranch and that of the new garage which has living space above. Otherwise, the new, taller addition could easily overwhelm the existing, single-story building.

For the sake of this discussion, I’m going to make the following assumptions:

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Q: We have a condo in a beautiful Beaux Arts-style building, but our kitchen is Beaux-Brady Bunch. It desperately needs remodeling though we have very limited space. There is an enclosed pantry that takes up almost one-third of the room's area, and my husband especially likes it because it's a sort of food-cave. But I think it takes up too much space in an already small kitchen.

Would we be better off just knocking out the pantry or remodeling the kitchen around it, with new cabinets and appliances?

Sue from Oakland, CA

A: Beaux-Brady Bunch can have a certain charm, but probably not in the context of your Beaux Arts-style building. If you’re ready for the challenge, I’d consider abandoning the Brady look and food-cave altogether.

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Katie@katiehutchison.com