Modern mountain aesthetic in this fully exposed custom designed ranch. Exterior brings together lap siding and stone veneer accents with welcoming timber columns and entry truss. Garage door covered with standing seam metal roof supported by brackets. Large timber columns and beams support a rear covered screened porch. (Ryan Hainey)

Deck - mid-sized transitional backyard deck idea in Other with a roof extension

Tuscan porch photo in Miami with decking and a roof extension

Patio kitchen - mid-sized mediterranean backyard stamped concrete patio kitchen idea in Tampa with a roof extension

Inspiration for a transitional backyard concrete patio remodel in Orange County with a gazebo and a bbq area

Exterior side view of home from yard
Traditional red two-story wood exterior home idea in Minneapolis with a gambrel roof

The best of past and present architectural styles combine in this welcoming, farmhouse-inspired design. Clad in low-maintenance siding, the distinctive exterior has plenty of street appeal, with its columned porch, multiple gables, shutters and interesting roof lines. Other exterior highlights included trusses over the garage doors, horizontal lap siding and brick and stone accents. The interior is equally impressive, with an open floor plan that accommodates today’s family and modern lifestyles. An eight-foot covered porch leads into a large foyer and a powder room. Beyond, the spacious first floor includes more than 2,000 square feet, with one side dominated by public spaces that include a large open living room, centrally located kitchen with a large island that seats six and a u-shaped counter plan, formal dining area that seats eight for holidays and special occasions and a convenient laundry and mud room. The left side of the floor plan contains the serene master suite, with an oversized master bath, large walk-in closet and 16 by 18-foot master bedroom that includes a large picture window that lets in maximum light and is perfect for capturing nearby views. Relax with a cup of morning coffee or an evening cocktail on the nearby covered patio, which can be accessed from both the living room and the master bedroom. Upstairs, an additional 900 square feet includes two 11 by 14-foot upper bedrooms with bath and closet and a an approximately 700 square foot guest suite over the garage that includes a relaxing sitting area, galley kitchen and bath, perfect for guests or in-laws.

Craig Davenport, ARC Imaging
Inspiration for a large craftsman side yard deck remodel in Other with a fire pit and a roof extension

This rooftop deck features Envision Outdoor Living Products. The composite decking is Rustic Walnut from the Distinction Collection.
Deck - mid-sized contemporary rooftop rooftop deck idea in Other with a fire pit and no cover

Patio - huge transitional side yard concrete patio idea in Seattle with a roof extension and a bbq area

Patio kitchen - mid-sized mediterranean backyard stamped concrete patio kitchen idea in Tampa with a pergola

This covered patio and outdoor kitchen by Outdoor Homescapes of Houston features a Big Green Egg kamado style grill and its "nest" built into a natural stone island along with an RCS grill and double burner. The countertops are granite and the floor is concrete pavers. www.outdoorhomescapes.com

Muted colors lead you to The Victoria, a 5,193 SF model home where architectural elements, features and details delight you in every room. This estate-sized home is located in The Concession, an exclusive, gated community off University Parkway at 8341 Lindrick Lane. John Cannon Homes, newest model offers 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, great room, dining room and kitchen with separate dining area. Completing the home is a separate executive-sized suite, bonus room, her studio and his study and 3-car garage. Gene Pollux Photography

Patio kitchen plans these days require the ability to incorporate high-tech, modern appliances into timeless – even ancient-looking – environments. You can see this juxtaposition pulled off perfectly in this outdoor kitchen by Outdoor Homescapes of Houston. “A smart patio kitchen plan requires not only a balance of the new and old,” says Outdoor Homescapes owner Wayne Franks, “but a blending of new elements – like an outdoor kitchen – with the existing home and outdoor living features like a pool, hardscaping or landscaping.” In this case, explains Franks, the existing 25-by-15-foot pool had a craggy edge of moss rock boulders, plus a spa and firepit faced with a rough Scabos splitface travertine. “The overall look was rustic and naturalistic,” says Franks, “so we of course wanted the new outdoor kitchen island to match.” Hence the 14-foot-long outdoor kitchen island with a raised bar, also faced in the Scabos splitface travertine and topped with a Normandy granite countertop. The hardscaping around it is Kool Deck® textured concrete. “People used to shy away from busy textures in outside patio kitchen plans, but now they’re embracing them,” notes Franks. “They’re increasingly attracted to the beautiful imperfections and irregularities of nature – there’s more of an authenticity and character to it.” Now, for the high-tech part: A Traeger wood pellet grill. Traeger grills are becoming increasingly popular for their ability to infuse amazing, rich flavor and for their versatility (they can grill, bake, smoke, slow cook, braise and barbecue). This premier model, the Memphis Pro 304, features 562 square inches of cooking space and a three-in-one cooking system (high-temperature grill, low-and-low smoker and true-convection-oven roasting and baking). It also has an intuitive Intelligent Temperature Control (see the display panel to the left of the grill) that can be set for cooking and internal temperature. A programmable food probe tells you when the internal temperature is reached and drops the grill down to a programmed lower temperature to keep the food warm till serving. The dual-fan convection system, with reliable metal blades, circulates heat evenly for tender, juicy results. Double-walled and sealed construction of 304 stainless steel allows for optimum heat retention and consistent temperatures in all weather conditions. A direct-flame “flavorizer” insert delivers the added flavor of a seared finish. Outdoor Homescapes also added a mount sink with a custom oil-rubbed bronze faucet by Moen and the following RCS stainless steel accessories: a pull-out trash door, a countertop trash chute, dual horizontal grill utensil drawers and a swing-out storage door. “At first, you’d think all this technology and the smooth, modern stainless steel would fight with the rustic look of the rough-faced stone in outdoor patio kitchen plans,” says Franks. “But it actually provides some visual rest from all the rugged textures and busyness.” Serving a similar function is the smooth, polished Scabos travertine tile used for the pool coping and firepit ledge. “It’s a perfect environment for the client to entertain business associates,” says Franks. “He’s very happy with the old-meets-new approach, and so are we.” More patio kitchen plans can be found at Outdoor Homescapes of Houston’s website, at www.outdoorhomescapes.com

Blue-Blue Pa bluestone patio coupled with a built in grill outside this Philadelphia Main Line home
Example of a huge mountain style backyard stone patio kitchen design in Philadelphia with no cover

Craig Davenport, ARC Imaging
Inspiration for a large craftsman side yard deck remodel in Other with a fire pit and a roof extension

photography by Andrea Calo
Deck container garden - huge transitional backyard deck container garden idea in Austin with a pergola

Patio kitchen - transitional backyard brick patio kitchen idea in Miami with a roof extension

Roof top deck in Baltimore County, Maryland: This stunning roof top deck now provides a beautiful outdoor living space with all the amenities the homeowner was looking for as well as added value to the home. Curtis Martin Photo Inc.