D & L Photography
Trendy deck photo in Philadelphia

The original multiple decks and elevated patio blocked the pool and fractured the space. This design creates an elegant progression from the home’s interior to poolside. The wide stairs oriented towards the pool provide pool views from the entire deck. The interior level provides for relaxed seating and dining with the magnificence of nature. The descent of a short group of stairs leads to the outdoor kitchen level. The barbeque is bordered in stone topped with a countertop of granite. The outdoor kitchen level is positioned for easy access midway from either the pool or interior level. From the kitchen level an additional group of stairs flow down to the paver patio surrounding the pool. Also incorporated is a downstairs entry and ample space for storage beneath the deck sourced through an access panel. The design connects the interior to poolside by means of a rich and functional outdoor living design.

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.

Example of a minimalist deck design in Toronto

2nd story deck steps down to pool deck and hot tub deck
Inspiration for a craftsman deck remodel in Chicago

Minimalist deck photo in Toronto

Deck - modern deck idea in Toronto

Inspiration for a modern deck remodel in Toronto

Inspiration for a modern deck remodel in Toronto

Minimalist deck photo in Toronto

Deck - modern deck idea in Toronto

Inspiration for a modern deck remodel in Toronto

Minimalist deck photo in Toronto

Deck - modern deck idea in Toronto

Example of a minimalist deck design in Toronto

Gazebo entrance Photo by Garth Woodruff
Large elegant backyard patio photo in Other with decking and a gazebo

For this work-in-progress job, we removed an existing 2-level deck that wasn’t functional enough for the family. What you see here is the pressure-treated wood framing we are building to support the Fiberon deck boards. Our design calls for a new 3-level deck with hot tub: the upper level will be just outside their kitchen and will house a new outdoor kitchen; the dining area will be on the middle level, and the lower level will be next to a new pond we’re building for them, which will come right up to the deck for maximum enjoyment. www.deckandpatio.com

This relatively inexpensive above-ground swimming pool rests on the ground, four feet below the deck that surrounds it. www.besthottubs.com
Pool - large rustic backyard pool idea in New York

This custom designed and built deck showcases Trex Spiced rum decking. The space also showcases Trex Lava Rock, accenting the step down into the lower level. We also created an enclosed screened in patio under the main section of the deck. Photography By Keystone Custom Decks