Outdoor Kitchens
In regions where mild weather beckons nearly all year, outdoor living spaces are a natural compliment to your lifestyle.
Today, almost any activity you enjoy inside your home you can bring
to the outside. Depending on your budget, your outdoor room can be simple, with a stamped concrete patio, a grill and a table
for dining, or more elaborate with a fully functional outdoor kitchen.
Something to cook with, such as a barbecue grill or wood-fired pizza
oven, and countertops for food preparation and serving are key elements in a well-designed outdoor kitchen
Outdoor Fireplaces
Nothing does a better job of anchoring an outdoor living room than an authentic outdoor fireplace.
There is a certain romantic ambiance that surrounds an outdoor
fireplace. The glow of the flickering flame invites guests to sit down, relax and enjoy life. Properly designed fire features
encourage conversation and soothe the soul.
According to "Smart Money" magazine, consumers who
spend 5 percent of the value of their home on landscaping can expect to add 15 percent or more to its value.
A recent study determined that buyers of existing homes will pay up
to 11 percent more than the asking price for a home that features a well-designed landscape.
We are involved in a new "space race." According to
the American Institute of Architects, Americans are making their outside spaces more and more elaborate - and more like our
inside ones.
Cedar Covered Patios
Despite a downsizing of home sizes and general concerns about keeping
housing costs affordable, residential architects note the growing interest among households in improving their properties,
even as lot sizes continue to shrink. At the forefront is the growing movement toward outdoor living. This trend encompasses
anything from increased emphasis on traditional outdoor elements like decks, porches, and patios, to expanded outdoor cooking
areas and outdoor “rooms.”
Having a decorative concrete patio makes it much easier to move furniture
around and eliminates problems with torn-up grass. In fact, it is a good idea to locate a terrace in a spot where you are
having trouble with the lawn.
