Patio - mid-sized craftsman backyard concrete paver patio idea in Philadelphia with no cover

Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts backyard concrete paver patio kitchen design in Philadelphia with no cover

Our clients wanted to create a backyard that would grow with their young family as well as with their extended family and friends. Entertaining was a huge priority! This family-focused backyard was designed to equally accommodate play and outdoor living/entertaining. The outdoor living spaces needed to accommodate a large number of people – adults and kids. Urban Oasis designed a deck off the back door so that the kitchen could be 36” height, with a bar along the outside edge at 42” for overflow seating. The interior space is approximate 600 sf and accommodates both a large dining table and a comfortable couch and chair set. The fire pit patio includes a seat wall for overflow seating around the fire feature (which doubles as a retaining wall) with ample room for chairs. The artificial turf lawn is spacious enough to accommodate a trampoline and other childhood favorites. Down the road, this area could be used for bocce or other lawn games. The concept is to leave all spaces large enough to be programmed in different ways as the family’s needs change. A steep slope presents itself to the yard and is a focal point. Planting a variety of colors and textures mixed among a few key existing trees changed this eyesore into a beautifully planted amenity for the property. Jimmy White Photography

Example of a mid-sized mountain style single-wall light wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Kitchen - huge traditional slate floor and gray floor kitchen idea in Houston with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and beaded inset cabinets

Norwood House is a 55 year old center hall Georgian Revival style house that sits on an expansive piece of property across from the main campus at Kent Place School. The house and grounds are owned and maintained by the School, and serve as the primary residence for the Head of School and her family. The property is also used on occasion for school functions. Since there have been no significant improvements to the property since the 1980’s, we worked with the School to improve the entire house and surrounding grounds. Specifics included creating a mudroom between the garage and the kitchen, relocating the dining room and family room to improve the flow of the first floor layout, adding three pairs of French doors in the sunroom leading out to a new bluestone patio, gutting and redoing the kitchen, renovating all of the bathrooms, and refinishing the basement. The scope also encompassed various infrastructure improvements, including a new roof, new windows, new high efficiency HVAC and lighting, etc. For the project, we also worked closely with Frances Chester, a local Landscape Architect, on improving the property with new plantings, walkways, patios, driveway, lighting, etc. The school required that the project be complete by the beginning of the 2014 school year. We worked the Contractor, Owner’s Rep, and members of the Board of Trustees to have construction completed within 5 months, which was a very aggressive schedule for a project of this size.

Example of a mid-sized classic galley dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Birmingham with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, mosaic tile backsplash and solid surface countertops

Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts backyard concrete paver patio kitchen design in Philadelphia with no cover

Example of a large arts and crafts backyard patio kitchen design in Seattle with decking and a roof extension

The proverbial 'big picture' reflects how the bluestone patio spaces relate to each other and to the home. The landscape is subdued and low-profile, allowing easy access for the family into the lawn and play space. Bluestone Clarendon Hills

Calacatta tile backsplash. Atlantic Bluestone kitchen counter. Corian lower countertop. American black walnut flooring. Photo: Mikiko Kikuyama

Photo Credit: Aaron Leitz
Example of a minimalist open concept slate floor living room design in Seattle with a standard fireplace, a bar and a concrete fireplace

Mid-sized transitional stamped concrete porch photo in Raleigh with a pergola

The custom Pennsylvania cherry island features integral wainscot paneling, hand-turned cherry legs, and honed Belgium bluestone countertops. The hardwood floors are antique white and red oak with a natural oil finish.

Granite outdoor kitchen with Wolf 36" grill and cabinets. LED lights cut into bluestone countertop. Photos by Tim Heelan
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman backyard stone patio remodel in Minneapolis with a fire pit and no cover

These clients came to my office looking for an architect who could design their "empty nest" home that would be the focus of their soon to be extended family. A place where the kids and grand kids would want to hang out: with a pool, open family room/ kitchen, garden; but also one-story so there wouldn't be any unnecessary stairs to climb. They wanted the design to feel like "old Pasadena" with the coziness and attention to detail that the era embraced. My sensibilities led me to recall the wonderful classic mansions of San Marino, so I designed a manor house clad in trim Bluestone with a steep French slate roof and clean white entry, eave and dormer moldings that would blend organically with the future hardscape plan and thoughtfully landscaped grounds. The site was a deep, flat lot that had been half of the old Joan Crawford estate; the part that had an abandoned swimming pool and small cabana. I envisioned a pavilion filled with natural light set in a beautifully planted park with garden views from all sides. Having a one-story house allowed for tall and interesting shaped ceilings that carved into the sheer angles of the roof. The most private area of the house would be the central loggia with skylights ensconced in a deep woodwork lattice grid and would be reminiscent of the outdoor “Salas” found in early Californian homes. The family would soon gather there and enjoy warm afternoons and the wonderfully cool evening hours together. Working with interior designer Jeffrey Hitchcock, we designed an open family room/kitchen with high dark wood beamed ceilings, dormer windows for daylight, custom raised panel cabinetry, granite counters and a textured glass tile splash. Natural light and gentle breezes flow through the many French doors and windows located to accommodate not only the garden views, but the prevailing sun and wind as well. The graceful living room features a dramatic vaulted white painted wood ceiling and grand fireplace flanked by generous double hung French windows and elegant drapery. A deeply cased opening draws one into the wainscot paneled dining room that is highlighted by hand painted scenic wallpaper and a barrel vaulted ceiling. The walnut paneled library opens up to reveal the waterfall feature in the back garden. Equally picturesque and restful is the view from the rotunda in the master bedroom suite. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Design: Jeffrey Hitchcock Enterprises Contractor: Synergy General Contractors, Inc. Landscape Design: LZ Design Group, Inc. Photography: Laura Hull

Jimmy White Photography
Inspiration for a large craftsman full sun backyard retaining wall landscape in Seattle with decking.

"BEST OF HOUZZ 2018, SHED" This sunny potting shed features bluestone floors, walls sheathed in white pine and Shaker pegs for hanging gardening tools. Robert Benson Photography

Outdoor kitchen is built on top of rocky ledge and helps anchor it to the site.
Example of a mid-sized classic backyard stone patio kitchen design in Portland Maine with no cover