A custom-made expansive two-story home providing views of the spacious kitchen, breakfast nook, dining, great room and outdoor amenities upon entry. Featuring 11,000 square feet of open area lavish living this residence does not disappoint with the attention to detail throughout. Elegant features embellish this home with the intricate woodworking and exposed wood beams, ceiling details, gorgeous stonework, European Oak flooring throughout, and unique lighting. This residence offers seven bedrooms including a mother-in-law suite, nine bathrooms, a bonus room, his and her offices, wet bar adjacent to dining area, wine room, laundry room featuring a dog wash area and a game room located above one of the two garages. The open-air kitchen is the perfect space for entertaining family and friends with the two islands, custom panel Sub-Zero appliances and easy access to the dining areas. Outdoor amenities include a pool with sun shelf and spa, fire bowls spilling water into the pool, firepit, large covered lanai with summer kitchen and fireplace surrounded by roll down screens to protect guests from inclement weather, and two additional covered lanais. This is luxury at its finest!

Rustic Rocky Springs Gazebo

Alair Homes Clemson

A small picnic shelter is perfect for enjoying the outdoors while at the lake. This shelter has a rustic design to coordinate with the main house and contains a wood burning fireplace for colder nights.

Outdoor Kitchen and Living Space in Alva, Florida

Progressive Design Build

Challenge This 2001 riverfront home was purchased by the owners in 2015 and immediately renovated. Progressive Design Build was hired at that time to remodel the interior, with tentative plans to remodel their outdoor living space as a second phase design/build remodel. True to their word, after completing the interior remodel, this young family turned to Progressive Design Build in 2017 to address known zoning regulations and restrictions in their backyard and build an outdoor living space that was fit for entertaining and everyday use. The homeowners wanted a pool and spa, outdoor living room, kitchen, fireplace and covered patio. They also wanted to stay true to their home’s Old Florida style architecture while also adding a Jamaican influence to the ceiling detail, which held sentimental value to the homeowners who honeymooned in Jamaica. Solution To tackle the known zoning regulations and restrictions in the backyard, the homeowners researched and applied for a variance. With the variance in hand, Progressive Design Build sat down with the homeowners to review several design options. These options included: Option 1) Modifications to the original pool design, changing it to be longer and narrower and comply with an existing drainage easement Option 2) Two different layouts of the outdoor living area Option 3) Two different height elevations and options for the fire pit area Option 4) A proposed breezeway connecting the new area with the existing home After reviewing the options, the homeowners chose the design that placed the pool on the backside of the house and the outdoor living area on the west side of the home (Option 1). It was important to build a patio structure that could sustain a hurricane (a Southwest Florida necessity), and provide substantial sun protection. The new covered area was supported by structural columns and designed as an open-air porch (with no screens) to allow for an unimpeded view of the Caloosahatchee River. The open porch design also made the area feel larger, and the roof extension was built with substantial strength to survive severe weather conditions. The pool and spa were connected to the adjoining patio area, designed to flow seamlessly into the next. The pool deck was designed intentionally in a 3-color blend of concrete brick with freeform edge detail to mimic the natural river setting. Bringing the outdoors inside, the pool and fire pit were slightly elevated to create a small separation of space. Result All of the desirable amenities of a screened porch were built into an open porch, including electrical outlets, a ceiling fan/light kit, TV, audio speakers, and a fireplace. The outdoor living area was finished off with additional storage for cushions, ample lighting, an outdoor dining area, a smoker, a grill, a double-side burner, an under cabinet refrigerator, a major ventilation system, and water supply plumbing that delivers hot and cold water to the sinks. Because the porch is under a roof, we had the option to use classy woods that would give the structure a natural look and feel. We chose a dark cypress ceiling with a gloss finish, replicating the same detail that the homeowners experienced in Jamaica. This created a deep visceral and emotional reaction from the homeowners to their new backyard. The family now spends more time outdoors enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Their professional lives allow them to take a trip to paradise right in their backyard—stealing moments that reflect on the past, but are also enjoyed in the present.

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Coastal Modern

Lindye Galloway Interiors

Chad Mellon Photographer
Mid-sized beach style backyard tile patio photo in Orange County with a fire pit and no cover

Paradise Valley Custom Home

Laura Kehoe Design

Inspiration for a timeless patio remodel in Phoenix

New

American Landscape Structures

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless concrete paver patio remodel in Philadelphia with a gazebo

Mid-Century Modern

David Thorne Landscape Architect

Teaming up with the owner-architect, we set out to update the exterior spaces to integrate with the mid-century modern house architecture and providing the young family with more usable outdoor areas. To enhance the property entrance we installed a new modular driveway, edged with new stucco walled planters and bounded with modern vernacular grid pattern gates. Lush planting, with flowering trees and seasonal color interest introduces the garden and continues throughout the property. Recently included in the locally renowned Children’s Support League’s “Heart of the Home” tour, we emphasized the indoor/outdoor flow from the extensively renovated kitchen and great room of the house. A custom-designed water feature creates a focal-point through a floor-to-ceiling window on axis with the front door. The abundant seating at the outdoor fireplace invites you into the garden for a warm chat before enjoying the alfresco dining. Repeating the clean, contemporary lines of the house architecture, a visitor’s eye is drawn to the saturated color of the stucco seat walls and the ledgestone walls beyond. Accent-lighting of the Olive tree specimens frame the sundeck and welcome the harvesting of figs, citrus and rosemary from the edible garden to add to the outdoor kitchen’s grilling feast. Achieving a primary design goal for the property’s new owners, we featured a substantial “infinity” lawn for play and enjoyment, easily accessible through the master bedroom French doors and across the IPE wood bridge. For relaxation under the stars, we tucked a spa amongst the redwoods, mostly hidden from view, and enhanced by the twinkling of the redwood-mounted firefly lights. Architect: AG Design Studio Photo:Treve Johnson Photography

Patio Ideas & Designs

Outdoor patios are frequently viewed as an extension of indoor living space. Whether it's comprised of stone, brick or concrete, this paved area is often used as a socializing location, especially when there’s a grill or fire pit present. Throw in an outdoor dining set and some patio decor, and it can also become your favorite eating spot! As you browse outdoor patio ideas, keep in mind the follows tips and tricks to get the most out of yours.

How do I plan a proper patio design?

Planning out your patio design before your remodel is crucial. When perusing patio ideas, keep in mind that people use patios for different things, but they primarily use it as a space for entertaining and relaxing. Because of this, figure out what you want this area’s overall functionality to be. Will you have large groups over or a few intimate gatherings? Will you be serving food or are you more of a cocktail hour type? Secondly, take time to figure out what materials will work best for your remodel — different patio designs call for different materials, some of which might not work for your budget and space limitations. Then, decide whether you want a covered or uncovered area; think about any weather (rain or sun) that you want to protect yourself from. Next, determine what amenities are important to you; is an outdoor fireplace essential, or would a smaller scale fire pit work just as well? Do you need a big grill or will a smaller barbecue work for you? Lastly, much like any other room in your home, decorate the space to ensure that it's welcoming, interesting and aligned with your home’s style.

What materials can patios be made from?

As with any outdoor space, materials dictate the overall style and feel, so make sure your choices accurately reflect the vibe of your home. Stone and terra-cotta tile are common with mediterranean houses, while brick is most often seen in traditional homes. Concrete works well with almost any space and style, so it's always a great option when you're choosing patio materials. After you figure out your foundation, decide whether you want a covered or uncovered area. You can always add a pergola, arbor, awning or trellis for some shade, or you can let the sun shine down on your patio. As you look through pictures and compile your favorite patio design ideas, note which materials you’re drawn to and try to incorporate those into your own design.

What should I incorporate in my patio design?

Even though patios can be nothing more than paved slabs outside your house, they can also be so much more if you add the right touches. Fire pits and fireplaces are great for cooler nights, while an outdoor kitchen and bar make it an ideal party mecca. Regardless of what you do, a spot to grill and eat is a must for al fresco dining, and you need good furniture to truly enjoy even the most basic outdoor space. Depending on your budget and maintenance threshold, you can even splurge on a few additional patio ideas, like a hot tub or pool to warm up or cool down all year round.

How should I incorporate patio decor?

You won’t have to look far for patio decorating ideas, since every little thing can double as decor outside, including plants and flowers. You should make sure that everything you do place outdoors, like furniture, is weatherproof. That doesn't mean your patio can't look as good as any indoor living room! Rugs, throw pillows and chair cushions all come in waterproof fabrics, while coffee tables, side tables, sofas, sectionals and armchairs often come together in sets. Rope or string lighting are popular patio decorating ideas (as well as mood setters), as are candles, which can also keep bugs away if you get the right kind. Put together some flower or succulent arrangements in pretty containers and place those around your space to liven it up. Fun little accessories, like a garden gnome, tiki torch, bird feeder or umbrella can add more personality where it's lacking — keep your eyes peeled when looking at patio pictures to see what decor you can draw inspiration from. Learn more about the cost to install pavers