"Bearings" Outdoor print by Ketti Kupper
Photo of a small contemporary full sun front yard landscaping in Los Angeles.

Steel fence with hanging copper boxes. Photo by Ketti Kupper
Design ideas for a small contemporary full sun courtyard garden path in Los Angeles.

2010 NATIONAL NARI REGIONAL AWARD WINNER Project Scope The owners of this 7,000 square foot colonial in Oakton, Virginia, were seeking a multi-level Mediterranean-style indoor/outdoor living space off the back of their home. They turned to Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes for a design solution that would include a stone patio, a second-story deck, a screened-in porch and linking staircases. While the structure was designed primarily for family dining and entertaining, it also had to accommodate periodic social gatherings of one hundred guests or more. To meet these needs, the project would include a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, several serving counters with permanent refrigeration, and well-delineated socializing and dining zones. The existing home’s setting offered several impressive assets the new outdoor living area was designed to exploit. The sprawling acreage features old stand trees, wooded paths and a private lake. Beautifully landscaped, it unfolds as an idyllic panorama that naturally draws people to the outdoors. Challenges Since the rear elevation was situated on a slope that drops away from the house, the Michael Nash team had to raise the grade two feet within in a 2,000 square foot area extending out from the back of the house. Infrastructure plans also called for a sophisticated drainage system that had to accommodate a whole series of water “runoff” considerations to be integrated into the decking itself. Excavation included constructing retaining walls to bolster the elevated grade—which also had to support a concrete slab, the primary foundation for the entire complex. Solutions The ground level decking consists of a 2,000 square foot flagstone patio level with the home’s lower level doors. There is a decorative water fountain mid-patio—an ornate collectible acquired in Florida. Food preparation is concentrated within a specially designed semi-circular wall that creates an “outdoor kitchen” equipped with a 60” Viking barbecue grill, a prep sink, a warming drawer, refrigerator and appropriate storage. There is a granite surfaced dining counter with seating for eight. Wrought iron railing and approximately 20 decorative columns (some encasing steel vertical supports) are incorporated into the design scheme. Many of the columns house accent lights. The top level—supported by horizontal steel beams– is a 2,500 square foot deck constructed entirely of Trex decking. The open air decking is, again, directly accessible from rooms on the second level of the house including the kitchen, sunroom and family room. The platform’s most prominent feature is a U-shaped “kitchenette” with cedar shake shingle roofing. Like its counterpart one level below, the facility is equipped with grill, refrigerator and stainless steel cabinetry. One portion of the deck has been allocated for a 16’ x 16’ octagonal screened-in porch crowned by a pair of 2’ x 4’ skylights. The porch can be accessed from the home’s conservatory via a set of French doors. With its mosaic tile flooring, stained cedar panel ceiling and honed granite counters, the interior is elegant and calming. Hand-painted stenciling and a wall-mounted water feature provide distinctive detailing. Finally, the design introduced elements to highlight and reinforce an awareness of the lovely bucolic setting. Fountains and water features combined with textured surfaces and mosaic tiling and backsplashes to present a villa-like ambiance well-suited to the Virginia countryside.

Nickle plated plaque "Nobody Really Knows" by Ketti Kupper. Photo by Ketti Kupper.
Photo of a small contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun courtyard landscaping in Los Angeles.

Photo: Rachel Loewen © 2019 Houzz
Open concept kitchen - scandinavian light wood floor and exposed beam open concept kitchen idea in Chicago with black cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, an island, white countertops and shaker cabinets

Large eclectic master light wood floor bedroom photo in San Francisco with white walls

Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Detail of painted rust patina sliding gate. French Hardware. Photo by Ketti Kupper
This is an example of a small contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun courtyard landscaping in Los Angeles.

Huge re-model including taking ceiling from a flat ceiling to a complete transformation. Bamboo custom cabinetry was given a grey stain, mixed with walnut strip on the bar and the island given a different stain. Huge amounts of storage from deep pan corner drawers, roll out trash, coffee station, built in refrigerator, wine and alcohol storage, appliance garage, pantry and appliance storage, the amounts go on and on. Floating shelves with a back that just grabs the eye takes this kitchen to another level. The clients are thrilled with this huge difference from their original space.

This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house. George Mendel

Lisa Petrole Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary guest medium tone wood floor bedroom remodel in San Francisco with gray walls

Dining room and living room linked with the kitchen by a beautiful bronzed glass sliding door.
Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept light wood floor living room remodel in Milan with beige walls

Brian Vanden Brink
Cottage wood deck photo in Portland Maine

Inspiration for a transitional single-sink alcove bathtub remodel in St Louis with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, an undermount sink, white countertops and a freestanding vanity

Jason Boyd
Inspiration for a small coastal freestanding desk light wood floor home office remodel in Minneapolis with no fireplace

Kitchen remodel featuring plaster custom range alcove with white oak island.
Inspiration for a cottage l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, black appliances, an island and gray countertops

Dane Cronin
Inspiration for a mid-century modern concrete patio remodel in Denver with a roof extension

Compact Powder Bath big on style. Modern wallpaper mixed with traditional fixtures and custom vanity.
Powder room - small transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor powder room idea in Kansas City with furniture-like cabinets, black cabinets, a one-piece toilet, black walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and white countertops

Bethany Nauert
Mid-sized farmhouse 3/4 white tile and subway tile cement tile floor and black floor freestanding bathtub photo in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops