Multi-level ipe deck with amphitheater-style seating, providing a spectacular view of Manhattan. The benches are meranti, as are the railings with stainless steel cabling. The fire pit is an inviting feature that helps extend the deck season into the colder months.

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.

A private roof deck connects to the open living space, and provides spectacular rooftop views of Boston. Photos by Eric Roth. Construction by Ralph S. Osmond Company. Green architecture by ZeroEnergy Design.

This custom roof deck in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood features lightweight aluminum decking, ipe planters, an ipe and metal pergola, and ipe benches with built-in storage under the seats. Few woods can match the natural beauty of ipe (pronounced ee-pey), a hardwood with a 30-year life expectancy. These pictures were taken in early spring, before the leaves have filled out on the trees. Plantings include coralbark maples, hornbeams, pink cherry trees, crape myrtles, and feather grasses. The planters include LED up-lighting and automated drip irrigation lines. Read more about our projects on my blog, www.amberfreda.com.

Curved mangaris walkway with custom tapered planks; Photo-Margaret Lopatriello
Beach style water fountain deck photo in San Diego

This Concord home had an existing multi-level wraparound covered porch in the front of the home that needed maintenance. The homeowners brought Tom Curren Companies in, to add on a new matching deck to their backyard and do a few touch ups in the front. These decks are both made with unique Tigerwood boards and surrounded by crisp white PVC Trim. Using Tigerwood results in a beautiful end-product, but requires meticulous and specific maintenance – on the existing front porch, this is all that was needed. We applied a fresh coat of Deckwise Natural Ipe Oil to maintain the beautiful rich colors of the exotic wood boards and painted the PVC Trim with Benjamin Moore white latex paint. In the backyard, our clients wanted a replication of the beautiful space in the front, with a few additional distinctive details that set this deck apart from any others we’ve built. We created a symmetrical deck off of the french doors in the back of the home, allowing ample space for outdoor living. Tigerwood tread stairs were placed off the front of the deck with two sets of encased metal grating stairs off to the side. Because of the nature of this exotic wood, it’s important to consider the deck pitch, and ventilation to aid with water run off. Discreetly mixed into the decking boards on this deck, , there is a thin strip of Carbochon cast iron trench grates that are strategically placed underneath the slight roof overhang to manage the water roll-off. To make use of the surrounding materials, our team relocated pebble stones that were already in the clients yard, to prepare the ground underneath the deck for water flow and irrigation. This stunning deck is rich in color, and the high level of craftsmanship is very apparent. The tiniest of details are truly the highlight of this project. From the iron trench grates, to the matching wood staircases for easy access to the ground level, this new deck adds another level of sophistication to the home. Working with exotic woods and high-end materials always results in a beautiful product adding value to the home, as well as happiness to its owners.

This Concord home had an existing multi-level wraparound covered porch in the front of the home that needed maintenance. The homeowners brought Tom Curren Companies in, to add on a new matching deck to their backyard and do a few touch ups in the front. These decks are both made with unique Tigerwood boards and surrounded by crisp white PVC Trim. Using Tigerwood results in a beautiful end-product, but requires meticulous and specific maintenance – on the existing front porch, this is all that was needed. We applied a fresh coat of Deckwise Natural Ipe Oil to maintain the beautiful rich colors of the exotic wood boards and painted the PVC Trim with Benjamin Moore white latex paint. In the backyard, our clients wanted a replication of the beautiful space in the front, with a few additional distinctive details that set this deck apart from any others we’ve built. We created a symmetrical deck off of the french doors in the back of the home, allowing ample space for outdoor living. Tigerwood tread stairs were placed off the front of the deck with two sets of encased metal grating stairs off to the side. Because of the nature of this exotic wood, it’s important to consider the deck pitch, and ventilation to aid with water run off. Discreetly mixed into the decking boards on this deck, , there is a thin strip of Carbochon cast iron trench grates that are strategically placed underneath the slight roof overhang to manage the water roll-off. To make use of the surrounding materials, our team relocated pebble stones that were already in the clients yard, to prepare the ground underneath the deck for water flow and irrigation. This stunning deck is rich in color, and the high level of craftsmanship is very apparent. The tiniest of details are truly the highlight of this project. From the iron trench grates, to the matching wood staircases for easy access to the ground level, this new deck adds another level of sophistication to the home. Working with exotic woods and high-end materials always results in a beautiful product adding value to the home, as well as happiness to its owners.

Deck - mid-sized transitional backyard deck idea in Philadelphia with a fire pit and no cover

The front upper level deck was rebuilt with Ipe wood and stainless steel cable railing, allowing for full enjoyment of the surrounding greenery. Ipe wood vertical siding complements the deck and the unique A-frame shape.

Screened Porches Screened porches make up the rear of the house, but one can see the covered side porch at left (with Master Bath shower above) and the new back deck at the right. The back yard is decidedly low maintenance, with its artificial turf grass and gravel areas at the perimeter (where the dogs patrol). fiber cement siding painted Cleveland Green (7" siding), Sweet Vibrations (4" siding), and Texas Leather (11" siding)—all by Benjamin Moore • window trim and clerestory band painted Night Horizon by Benjamin Moore • soffit & fascia painted Camouflage by Benjamin Moore. Construction by CG&S Design-Build. Photography by Tre Dunham, Fine focus Photography

On the ground level we installed another indoor/outdoor space with built in TV, custom fire pit and therapeutic swim spa. The addition of a custom cement bar area with refrigerator and blackened steel custom shelving is accessed seamlessly from the family room via a fold-away open corner door system that stacks inside the walls.

I have worked for many past years with this homeowner. This year they were ready for a new deck and design. The goals of this deck was to create useful outdoor living areas and minimize the amount of railing. Another goal was to be maintenance free with a possible roof addition later. We came up with a few designs and then chose one that had 2 levels. The upper level was designed for a future roof for next year to be built on for Summer Shade. The lower level was designed close to the ground without railing. Because of no rail – we did add some deck dot lights around the border so in the evening – you can see the edge of the deck for safety purposes. The product that was chosen was Timbertech’s PVC Capped Composite Decking in the Terrain Series. Colors were Brown Oak for the main and then accented with Rustic Elm. The railing was Westbury’s Full Aluminum Railing (Tuscany Series) in the black color. We then added lighting on all of the steps as well as on top of the picture frame border of the lower deck. This deck turned out great. This late Winter/Early Spring, we will be building a roof above – pictures to come after completion. Part 2 of this project we did in Spring of the next year. We built a new Roof over the main deck with an aluminum ceiling. This project turned out great and even matches the 3D Schematic!

Ground level deck with with walkway, stairs and landing area. Deck includes low maintenance landscape.
Inspiration for a contemporary deck remodel in Newark

Large, ground level screened porch with plenty of seating for dining and entertaining. Designed and built by Atlanta Decking & Fence.
This is an example of a large eclectic stone screened-in back porch design in Atlanta with a roof extension.

Large, ground level screened porch with plenty of seating for dining and entertaining. Designed and built by Atlanta Decking & Fence.
Inspiration for a large eclectic stone screened-in back porch remodel in Atlanta with a roof extension

Large, ground level screened porch with plenty of seating for dining and entertaining. Designed and built by Atlanta Decking & Fence.
This is an example of a large eclectic stone screened-in back porch design in Atlanta with a roof extension.

Large, ground level screened porch with plenty of seating for dining and entertaining. Designed and built by Atlanta Decking & Fence.
Large eclectic stone screened-in back porch photo in Atlanta with a roof extension

Large, ground level screened porch with plenty of seating for dining and entertaining. Designed and built by Atlanta Decking & Fence.
Inspiration for a large eclectic stone screened-in back porch remodel in Atlanta with a roof extension

Large, ground level screened porch with plenty of seating for dining and entertaining. Designed and built by Atlanta Decking & Fence.
This is an example of a large eclectic stone screened-in back porch design in Atlanta with a roof extension.