This deck was completely transformed by eliminating the built-in planter boxes. A new waterproof deck coating was applied followed by wood sleepers with 1x6 ipe deck boards topping the deck off. Boards were left to gray naturally. Evan Parker

Originally a nearly three-story tall 1920’s European-styled home was turned into a modern villa for work and home. A series of low concrete retaining wall planters and steps gradually takes you up to the second level entry, grounding or anchoring the house into the site, as does a new wrap around veranda and trellis. Large eave overhangs on the upper roof were designed to give the home presence and were accented with a Mid-century orange color. The new master bedroom addition white box creates a better sense of entry and opens to the wrap around veranda at the opposite side. Inside the owners live on the lower floor and work on the upper floor with the garage basement for storage, archives and a ceramics studio. New windows and open spaces were created for the graphic designer owners; displaying their mid-century modern furnishings collection. A lot of effort went into attempting to lower the house visually by bringing the ground plane higher with the concrete retaining wall planters, steps, wrap around veranda and trellis, and the prominent roof with exaggerated overhangs. That the eaves were painted orange is a cool reflection of the owner’s Dutch heritage. Budget was a driver for the project and it was determined that the footprint of the home should have minimal extensions and that the new windows remain in the same relative locations as the old ones. Wall removal was utilized versus moving and building new walls where possible. Photo Credit: John Sutton Photography.

Welcome to prestigious Elbow Park and experience this incomparable bungalow. This custom built energy efficient home by McKinley Master Custom Homes boasts over 6900 sq ft of luxury living and is handicap accessible. This fully developed walkout borders the Elbow River providing unparalleled outdoor living & stunning views. The grand entry is complimented with barreled ceilings and in-lay floors. The main floor offers an open floor plan with extensive custom mill work featuring a Master suite with an impressive walk-in dressing room & 7 piece ensuite as well as formal dining room ideal for entertaining and a large, sunny breakfast nook. The lower level showcases a media area, poker room, wet bar, exercise area and 3 more bedrooms complete with ensuites, The massive 4-car garage will easily accommodate lifts and has elevator access. The yard is professionally landscaped with multiple patio ares and expansive decks with fireplaces to enjoy evenings by the river. 4,100 Sq Feet Above Ground 4 Bedrooms, 6 Bath 1 and Half Storey, Built in 2012

This unique city-home is designed with a center entry, flanked by formal living and dining rooms on either side. An expansive gourmet kitchen / great room spans the rear of the main floor, opening onto a terraced outdoor space comprised of more than 700SF. The home also boasts an open, four-story staircase flooded with natural, southern light, as well as a lower level family room, four bedrooms (including two en-suite) on the second floor, and an additional two bedrooms and study on the third floor. A spacious, 500SF roof deck is accessible from the top of the staircase, providing additional outdoor space for play and entertainment. Due to the location and shape of the site, there is a 2-car, heated garage under the house, providing direct entry from the garage into the lower level mudroom. Two additional off-street parking spots are also provided in the covered driveway leading to the garage. Designed with family living in mind, the home has also been designed for entertaining and to embrace life's creature comforts. Pre-wired with HD Video, Audio and comprehensive low-voltage services, the home is able to accommodate and distribute any low voltage services requested by the homeowner. This home was pre-sold during construction. Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

Designed with an open floor plan and layered outdoor spaces, the Onaway is a perfect cottage for narrow lakefront lots. The exterior features elements from both the Shingle and Craftsman architectural movements, creating a warm cottage feel. An open main level skillfully disguises this narrow home by using furniture arrangements and low built-ins to define each spaces’ perimeter. Every room has a view to each other as well as a view of the lake. The cottage feel of this home’s exterior is carried inside with a neutral, crisp white, and blue nautical themed palette. The kitchen features natural wood cabinetry and a long island capped by a pub height table with chairs. Above the garage, and separate from the main house, is a series of spaces for plenty of guests to spend the night. The symmetrical bunk room features custom staircases to the top bunks with drawers built in. The best views of the lakefront are found on the master bedrooms private deck, to the rear of the main house. The open floor plan continues downstairs with two large gathering spaces opening up to an outdoor covered patio complete with custom grill pit.

This 1912 traditional style house sits on the edge of Cheesman Park with four levels that needed updating to better suit the young family’s needs. A custom wine room was constructed on the lower level to accommodate an area for entertaining guests. The main level was divided into a smaller family room area with a double door opening into the formal living room. The kitchen and butler’s pantry were combined and remodeled for better function. The second level master bathroom was relocated and created out of an adjacent bedroom, incorporating an existing fireplace and Juliet balcony that looks out to the park. A new staircase was constructed on the third level as a continuation of the grand staircase in the center of the house. A gathering and play space opens off the stairs and connects to the third-floor deck. A Jill & Jill bathroom remodel was constructed between the girls’ rooms.

The view from the backyard looking up at the Master Suite and main level bedroom. The house was carefully designed around the large Heritage Oaks and enjoys the canopy views from every room in the house. Photos by Casey Dunn

Peter Peirce
Large elegant rectangular pool photo in Bridgeport with decking

Example of a large classic backyard water fountain deck design in Oklahoma City with no cover

Water fountain deck - large traditional backyard water fountain deck idea in Oklahoma City with no cover

This brick and limestone, 6,000-square-foot residence exemplifies understated elegance. Located in the award-wining Blaine School District and within close proximity to the Southport Corridor, this is city living at its finest! The foyer, with herringbone wood floors, leads to a dramatic, hand-milled oval staircase; an architectural element that allows sunlight to cascade down from skylights and to filter throughout the house. The floor plan has stately-proportioned rooms and includes formal Living and Dining Rooms; an expansive, eat-in, gourmet Kitchen/Great Room; four bedrooms on the second level with three additional bedrooms and a Family Room on the lower level; a Penthouse Playroom leading to a roof-top deck and green roof; and an attached, heated 3-car garage. Additional features include hardwood flooring throughout the main level and upper two floors; sophisticated architectural detailing throughout the house including coffered ceiling details, barrel and groin vaulted ceilings; painted, glazed and wood paneling; laundry rooms on the bedroom level and on the lower level; five fireplaces, including one outdoors; and HD Video, Audio and Surround Sound pre-wire distribution through the house and grounds. The home also features extensively landscaped exterior spaces, designed by Prassas Landscape Studio. This home went under contract within 90 days during the Great Recession. Featured in Chicago Magazine: http://goo.gl/Gl8lRm Jim Yochum

For more than a decade the owners of this property dreamed of replacing a well-worn trailer, parked by a previous owner onto a forested corner of the site, with a permanent structure that took advantage of breathtaking views across South Park basin. Accompanying a mutual friend nearly as long ago, the architect visited the site as a guest and years later could easily recall the inspiration inherent in the site. Ultimately dream and inspiration met to create this weekend retreat. With a mere 440 square feet planted in the ground, and just 1500 square feet combined across three levels, the design creates indoor and outdoor spaces to frame distant range views and protect inhabitants from the intense Colorado sun and evening chill with minimal impact on its surroundings. Designed by Bryan Anderson Construction by Mountain View Homes Photographs by Troy Thies

Arts and crafts deck photo in Other

Example of a deck design in New York

Inspiration for a deck remodel in New York

Craig Westerman
Large elegant rooftop deck photo in Baltimore with no cover

A multilevel deck can add a lot of dimension to your outdoor space. Different zones can be created to set the mood for dining, cooking, relaxing or entertaining. What could have been one open space has been made more intimate and dynamic with the addition of stairs, railings, pergolas and planters. Our Halifax clients wanted just that! They came to see us at Archadeck for a solution to their outdoor problems. Incorporating the landscape and gardens was very important and the result feels more like an oasis than a backyard. Using pressure-treated wood and lattice we designed and built a multilevel deck with pergola on the upper level. Between the stairs to the lower level are built-in planters. The lower level leads onto the lawn where the homeowners have a beautiful garden.

A multilevel deck can add a lot of dimension to your outdoor space. Different zones can be created to set the mood for dining, cooking, relaxing or entertaining. What could have been one open space has been made more intimate and dynamic with the addition of stairs, railings, pergolas and planters. Our Halifax clients wanted just that! They came to see us at Archadeck for a solution to their outdoor problems. Incorporating the landscape and gardens was very important and the result feels more like an oasis than a backyard. Using pressure-treated wood and lattice we designed and built a multilevel deck with pergola on the upper level. Between the stairs to the lower level are built-in planters. The lower level leads onto the lawn where the homeowners have a beautiful garden.

A multilevel deck can add a lot of dimension to your outdoor space. Different zones can be created to set the mood for dining, cooking, relaxing or entertaining. What could have been one open space has been made more intimate and dynamic with the addition of stairs, railings, pergolas and planters. Our Halifax clients wanted just that! They came to see us at Archadeck for a solution to their outdoor problems. Incorporating the landscape and gardens was very important and the result feels more like an oasis than a backyard. Using pressure-treated wood and lattice we designed and built a multilevel deck with pergola on the upper level. Between the stairs to the lower level are built-in planters. The lower level leads onto the lawn where the homeowners have a beautiful garden.