HGTV Outdoor Living

On the screened porch, a casual dining table and comfortable rattan chairs cozy up to a gas-log fireplace—nice when it's cool outside. The porch lends tremendous flexibility in the Southern climate; it provides a place to have breakfast while watching the sun rise, and a spot for kids to camp out in a bug-free zone on a summer night. "The fireplace and ceiling fans give you the ability to utilize the space year-round," Linda says.

From the front walk, a shapely staircase leads visitors to the second-story front door. "I call it a family reunion staircase," says Barry. "It's a touch of the Old South and a wonderful place to take group portraits." At the top of the stairs, on the wide front porch, rocking chairs line up across the pressure-treated tongue-and-groove planks. "We wanted it to look like an interior floor, for a finished feel," Barry explains. Exposed framing and beaded-board ceilings reside overhead along with ceiling fans to keep the humid, coastal air moving. Out back, where marsh vistas abound, an expansive deck offers a spot for entertaining. "The deck is elevated and tiered for the view," Barry says.