Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

All Photos and Landscape Design by Deborah Cerbone Associates, Inc.
Elegant patio photo in New York with a fire pit

The upper level of this gorgeous Trex deck is the central entertaining and dining space and includes a beautiful concrete fire table and a custom cedar bench that floats over the deck. Light brown custom cedar screen walls provide privacy along the landscaped terrace and compliment the warm hues of the decking. Clean, modern light fixtures are also present in the deck steps, along the deck perimeter, and throughout the landscape making the space well-defined in the evening as well as the daytime.

Every day is a vacation in this Thousand Oaks Mediterranean-style outdoor living paradise. This transitional space is anchored by a serene pool framed by flagstone and elegant landscaping. The outdoor living space emphasizes the natural beauty of the surrounding area while offering all the advantages and comfort of indoor amenities, including stainless-steel appliances, custom beverage fridge, and a wood-burning fireplace. The dark stain and raised panel detail of the cabinets pair perfectly with the El Dorado stone pulled throughout this design; and the airy combination of chandeliers and natural lighting produce a charming, relaxed environment. Flooring Kitchen and Pool Areas: Concrete Deck: Fiberon deck material Light Fixtures: Chandelier Stone/Masonry: El Dorado Photographer: Tom Clary

Inspiration for a large timeless backyard stone full sun patio remodel in Columbus with a fire pit

With the help of the Nana-wall the outside becomes part of the family room. Photo by Marcel Page Photography
Example of a large transitional backyard patio design in Chicago with decking

Deck - large traditional backyard deck idea in New York

Why pay for a vacation when you have a backyard that looks like this? You don't need to leave the comfort of your own home when you have a backyard like this one. The deck was beautifully designed to comfort all who visit this home. Want to stay out of the sun for a little while? No problem! Step into the covered patio to relax outdoors without having to be burdened by direct sunlight. Photos by: Robert Woolley , Wolf

Craig H. Wilson
Example of a mid-sized transitional backyard deck design with a pergola

Patio - transitional stone patio idea in Baltimore with a roof extension

Enter this beautiful and meticulously maintained Spanish home through a gated, enclosed front yard offering exceptional privacy. The home opens up into a generous area that accommodates the kitchen, living and dining rooms that are light-filled, inviting and offer a great flow for entertaining. A well appointed cook’s kitchen features stainless-steel appliances, maple cabinets and plenty of countertop and storage space. French doors lead to the wood patio and tranquil yard w/ outdoor spa, inviting the outside in. The guest bath is accented with classic wainscoting and a soaking tub. The master suite includes a large walk-in cedar-lined wardrobe w/ built-in cabinetry, and a resort-stye bathroom with oversized stone shower. Within footsteps of the shops and cafes Melrose has to offer. This is a very special home. Photos: Plan-O-Matic -AJ

Legacy Collection preserves the beauty of hand-crafted hardwood flooring in an outdoor decking material. With the appearance of hand-scraped hardwood that is unique from any other decking, this timeless style will adapt to any decor from rustic and relaxed to elegant and modern. TimberTech's Legacy Collection is a line of capped composites that elevates your outdoor lifestyle - and scratch, stain and fade resistance, to a whole new level. Capped with a protective polymer shell, Legacy Collection is inspired by nature, improved by science and backed by an additional 25 Year Fade and Stain Warranty for total peace of mind.

The panoramic doors provide instant indoor/outdoor living onto this gorgeous Brazilian hardwood deck that features an outdoor kitchen with concrete countertops, grill, sink, refrigerator and kegerator with a double tap.

All Weather Decks
Inspiration for a timeless deck remodel in Kansas City

An Asian-inspired courtyard walkway features Fiberon composite decking and is flanked with white stone gravel, walk-way lighting, a bamboo container garden, and bench seating, which was built from the same composite deck board material. The main walk-way features Fiberon's newest Symmetry Collection decking in 'Burnt Umber'. The border is Fiberon Horizon decking in 'Tudor Brown'. Visit www.fiberondecking.com

This breathtaking bi-level partially covered deck makes for a great entertaining area. In addition to the pool and spa deck design, this Eagleville, Pa homes features an outdoor patio space completed with an outdoor kitchen.

This landscape of this transitional dwelling aims to compliment the architecture while providing an outdoor space for high end living and entertainment. The outdoor kitchen, hot tub, tiered gardens, living and dining areas as well as a formal lawn provide ample space for enjoyment year round. Photographs courtesy of The Richards Group.

This backyard patio design is inspired by our Para patio slab. Large-scale, ultra-smooth texture and fine lines best describe the all-new Para HD. Manufactured with Techo-Bloc’s patented High Definition technology, an extremely tight surface texture with pores that are virtually invisible. The Para HD provides contemporary styling and design flexibility. Each of its three sizes are packaged and sold separately allowing your projects to reflect your personal creativity. This 60 mm product is available in a 500 mm x 250 mm, 500 mm x 500 mm and 500 mm x 750 mm. It is available in both hyper smooth and polished textures. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/para/