The front entry upper and lower steps and porch floor are out. Our plan is to replace what used to be the lower set of stairs with stone slabs so we can continue the visual horizontal continuity of the slope. The upper set of stairs, leading to the new deck (part of which will include the front porch), will be Ipe (Corteza Amarilla), which is a tropical hardwood and is about two to three times as hard as oak. It is a dense, strong wood, and is one of the most durable construction woods available. The Ipe we use in this project will be sourced from a certified sustainable forest.
The kitchen bump-out (mostly covered by a silver tarp) is visible to the right. This angle provides a better idea of the depth of the bump-out, which extends only about 18" from the main wall.
