Designed in collaboration with Alison Hall Architect, this Summer 2023 outdoor living renovation transformed an underutilized backyard into a luxurious extension of the home. The project centered around the creation of a custom covered porch that seamlessly blends indoor comfort with outdoor living. The renovated space features a spacious outdoor living area, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, a beautiful fireplace, and an inviting patio designed for entertaining and relaxation. Every element was thoughtfully planned to maximize functionality while maintaining a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The covered porch provides year-round usability, offering protection from the elements while creating a comfortable gathering place for family and friends. Combined with the outdoor kitchen and fireplace, the space serves as a true outdoor retreat that enhances both the lifestyle and value of the home. The result is a timeless outdoor living environment where comfort, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design come together to create the perfect setting for entertaining and everyday enjoyment.

THIN-FINISH™ Decorative Concrete Overlay are remarkably durable and offer protection from extreme hot/cold temperatures, which make them perfect for outdoor spaces.

John Granen
Mid-sized minimalist multicolored two-story metal exterior home photo in Seattle with a green roof

The fountain located at the front of the home providers the tranquil sound of gently running water. The lion head fountain symbolizes power and might, while offering protection to the owners and guests of the home.

THIN-FINISH™ Decorative Concrete Overlay are remarkably durable and offer protection from extreme hot/cold temperatures, which make them perfect for outdoor spaces.

Follow the wide sweeping composite stairs onto this covered deck for a lovely space to relax. The space offers protection from hot sun and rain, while maximizing views of the poolside backyard retreat.

Stone floor to ceiling wall adds texture, color and pattern to the contemporary- tropical master bedroom to achieve diverse architectural and aesthetic effects. Custom cabinet helps keep the space organized and order to made glass sliding door offers protection from weather.

The front porch offers protection from precipitation and prevailing winds. Roger Wade photo. Roger Wade photo.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional concrete front porch remodel in Other with a roof extension

Designed in collaboration with Alison Hall Architect, this Summer 2023 outdoor living renovation transformed an underutilized backyard into a luxurious extension of the home. The project centered around the creation of a custom covered porch that seamlessly blends indoor comfort with outdoor living. The renovated space features a spacious outdoor living area, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, a beautiful fireplace, and an inviting patio designed for entertaining and relaxation. Every element was thoughtfully planned to maximize functionality while maintaining a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The covered porch provides year-round usability, offering protection from the elements while creating a comfortable gathering place for family and friends. Combined with the outdoor kitchen and fireplace, the space serves as a true outdoor retreat that enhances both the lifestyle and value of the home. The result is a timeless outdoor living environment where comfort, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design come together to create the perfect setting for entertaining and everyday enjoyment.

A rustic cabin set on a 5.9 acre wooded property on Little Boy Lake in Longville, MN, the design takes advantage of its secluded setting and stunning lake views. Covered porches on the forest-side and lake-side offer protection from the elements while allowing one to enjoy the fresh open air and unobstructed views. Once inside, one is greeted by a series of custom closet and bench built-ins hidden behind a pair of sliding wood barn doors. Ahead is a dramatic open great room with vaulted ceilings exposing the wood trusses and large circular chandeliers. Anchoring the space is a natural river-rock stone fireplace with windows on all sides capturing views of the forest and lake. A spacious kitchen with custom hickory cabinetry and cobalt blue appliances opens up the the great room creating a warm and inviting setting. The unassuming exterior is adorned in circle sawn cedar siding with red windows. The inside surfaces are clad in circle sawn wood boards adding to the rustic feel of the cabin.

A rustic cabin set on a 5.9 acre wooded property on Little Boy Lake in Longville, MN, the design takes advantage of its secluded setting and stunning lake views. Covered porches on the forest-side and lake-side offer protection from the elements while allowing one to enjoy the fresh open air and unobstructed views. Once inside, one is greeted by a series of custom closet and bench built-ins hidden behind a pair of sliding wood barn doors. Ahead is a dramatic open great room with vaulted ceilings exposing the wood trusses and large circular chandeliers. Anchoring the space is a natural river-rock stone fireplace with windows on all sides capturing views of the forest and lake. A spacious kitchen with custom hickory cabinetry and cobalt blue appliances opens up the the great room creating a warm and inviting setting. The unassuming exterior is adorned in circle sawn cedar siding with red windows. The inside surfaces are clad in circle sawn wood boards adding to the rustic feel of the cabin.

THIN-FINISH™ Decorative Concrete Overlay are remarkably durable and offer protection from extreme hot/cold temperatures, which make them perfect for outdoor spaces.

The Kelso Back Patio is a stunning outdoor space designed for comfort and relaxation. It features a black metal railing, providing safety while adding a touch of elegance to the design. The covered outdoor deck offers protection from the elements, allowing for enjoyment in any weather. The gray deck surface adds a modern and sophisticated look to the patio. The patio is furnished with stylish and comfortable gray outdoor patio furniture, creating a cozy seating area for lounging and socializing. An outdoor chandelier hangs from above, illuminating the space and adding a touch of glamour. Skylights bring in natural light, creating an open and airy atmosphere. The highlight of the patio is the stone outdoor fireplace, which serves as a focal point and provides warmth and ambience for gatherings and relaxation. The Kelso Back Patio is the perfect spot to unwind, entertain, and enjoy outdoor living in style.

Floor Shield of Knoxville is your one-stop-shop for all of your concrete coating and flooring needs. For over a decade, we have been offering superior polyaspartic coating services in residential and commercial settings. Our coatings are designed to enhance the look and feel of your flooring, while at the same time providing you and your family with the protection you need for years to come. Our expertise and experience in the field has made Floor Shield Knoxville the number one destination for superb concrete floor coatings. We make sure that your floors can withstand whatever comes their way, as our coatings offer incredible durability and maximum protection from wear and tear. We also make sure that our clients are satisfied with the coatings that we provide, as all of our products are engineered to last for the long-term. Whether you’re looking for a coating that will give your floor a brand new look or you’re looking for one that will protect your existing floor, Floor Shield is the perfect option. In addition, we offer our excellent services to the surrounding areas of Knoxville, extending our expertise further. With Floor Shield, you can trust that you’ll get the floor coating that best meets your needs and desires.

Elegant Oasis: Maximizing Entertaining Space In reimagining this 14,233 sqft lot, the goal was to create a high-impact, space-efficient outdoor environment, where space meets sophistication for unrivaled outdoor entertaining. This presentation outlines the thoughtfully designed elements which were meticulously integrated to maximize entertaining space within the constraints of the property. The project commenced with relocating the pool to the furthest reaches of the property, respecting property line setbacks to amplify the area available for entertainment. Adjacent to the back door, a covered built-in kitchen and intimate seating area offer protection from both bugs and the scorching afternoon sun, thanks to a convenient drop-down screen. The 18'x36' pool serves as the focal point, backed by an 18" masonry wall adorned with LED lighting accents. Behind this backdrop, a hedge of long-blooming hydrangeas and espalier-shaped European hornbeams complements the formal design, infusing the space with timeless elegance. The pool deck features a sturdy 5" rebar-reinforced concrete overlay with Valders Dove White and gray stone laid in a herringbone pattern (5'x18" pieces). To address stormwater retention, a large drywell behind the pool was repurposed as the base for a putting green, encircled by permeable gravel and stone coping. Landscape lighting makes it perfect for endless fun, day and night. To minimize the “fence feeling” and to distinguish the detached garage driveway, a grand outdoor fireplace and wall were constructed. This space also includes an outdoor TV and speaker system. A pergola, built from large steel I-beams and cedar, provides respite from the summer sun. For continuity and aesthetic impact, the hydrangea hedge extends the entire length of the property, maximizing the use of the narrow 36" side. The front of the property is equally striking. A heated concrete driveway, saw-cut into 5'x5' squares, provides a grand entrance. The front porch and walkway feature heated, randomly patterned bluestone, expertly set on a concrete sub-base. Two sets of garden walls enclose the front yard, with the closest to the front door boasting three water scuppers and a pondless waterfall system, creating a captivating ambiance for arriving guests. The property's front and rear areas are adorned with various planting beds and containers, which are seasonally adapted to ensure a vibrant landscape year-round. Formal, columnar trees, such as slender silhouette sweetgum, columnar tulip trees, sheared European hornbeams, and shaped tricolor beech, were chosen to harmonize with the property's architecture. Crushed blue granite gravel was used to cover all planting beds, maintaining a clean and low-maintenance appearance. In conclusion, our project has not only met but exceeded our client's expectations by delivering a low-maintenance, high-impact, and space-efficient outdoor haven.

This Parade of Homes water feature flows from boulder-type rockery before dropping into a large pond that's been carefully designed as a fish habitat. Fish houses and natural hiding places in the rockery offers protection from neighborhood raccoons and birds. High-quality filtration and skimmer systems keep things clean. Showy from the home's windows with the perfect blend of sight and sound for maximum enjoyment, day and night. Fresh plantings are carefully spaced to allow mature growth in coming seasons. Use of accent rockery and boulders throughout the landscape give texture and dimension. Since moss, plants, and grasses grow naturally around boulders and water in nature, including those soft elements here brings true beauty in the view. Additional considerations include plantings that are attractive for hummingbirds, evergreens to screen for privacy (which also create bird habitat), and ornamental grasses and flowers to soften the angles of the home. A thick layer of bark dust is attractive and functional. Applied correctly, it helps suppress weeds and keeps moisture around the plants.

Elegant Oasis: Maximizing Entertaining Space In reimagining this 14,233 sqft lot, the goal was to create a high-impact, space-efficient outdoor environment, where space meets sophistication for unrivaled outdoor entertaining. This presentation outlines the thoughtfully designed elements which were meticulously integrated to maximize entertaining space within the constraints of the property. The project commenced with relocating the pool to the furthest reaches of the property, respecting property line setbacks to amplify the area available for entertainment. Adjacent to the back door, a covered built-in kitchen and intimate seating area offer protection from both bugs and the scorching afternoon sun, thanks to a convenient drop-down screen. The 18'x36' pool serves as the focal point, backed by an 18" masonry wall adorned with LED lighting accents. Behind this backdrop, a hedge of long-blooming hydrangeas and espalier-shaped European hornbeams complements the formal design, infusing the space with timeless elegance. The pool deck features a sturdy 5" rebar-reinforced concrete overlay with Valders Dove White and gray stone laid in a herringbone pattern (5'x18" pieces). To address stormwater retention, a large drywell behind the pool was repurposed as the base for a putting green, encircled by permeable gravel and stone coping. Landscape lighting makes it perfect for endless fun, day and night. To minimize the “fence feeling” and to distinguish the detached garage driveway, a grand outdoor fireplace and wall were constructed. This space also includes an outdoor TV and speaker system. A pergola, built from large steel I-beams and cedar, provides respite from the summer sun. For continuity and aesthetic impact, the hydrangea hedge extends the entire length of the property, maximizing the use of the narrow 36" side. The front of the property is equally striking. A heated concrete driveway, saw-cut into 5'x5' squares, provides a grand entrance. The front porch and walkway feature heated, randomly patterned bluestone, expertly set on a concrete sub-base. Two sets of garden walls enclose the front yard, with the closest to the front door boasting three water scuppers and a pondless waterfall system, creating a captivating ambiance for arriving guests. The property's front and rear areas are adorned with various planting beds and containers, which are seasonally adapted to ensure a vibrant landscape year-round. Formal, columnar trees, such as slender silhouette sweetgum, columnar tulip trees, sheared European hornbeams, and shaped tricolor beech, were chosen to harmonize with the property's architecture. Crushed blue granite gravel was used to cover all planting beds, maintaining a clean and low-maintenance appearance. In conclusion, our project has not only met but exceeded our client's expectations by delivering a low-maintenance, high-impact, and space-efficient outdoor haven.

This project features a complete outdoor living upgrade designed for both beauty and functionality. The custom hardscape patio showcases patterned concrete, creating a durable yet visually striking foundation for entertaining. A built-in grill station anchors the space, making outdoor cooking effortless and inviting. An automatic screened-in patio adds year-round comfort, offering protection from insects while maintaining an open-air feel. The backyard was finished with low-maintenance turf, bordered by elegant stone-edged flower beds that add structure and natural contrast. To complete the transformation, a new 8-foot cedar board-on-board privacy fence was installed, paired with a sleek electric sliding gate across the driveway for added security and modern curb appeal.

A rustic cabin set on a 5.9 acre wooded property on Little Boy Lake in Longville, MN, the design takes advantage of its secluded setting and stunning lake views. Covered porches on the forest-side and lake-side offer protection from the elements while allowing one to enjoy the fresh open air and unobstructed views. Once inside, one is greeted by a series of custom closet and bench built-ins hidden behind a pair of sliding wood barn doors. Ahead is a dramatic open great room with vaulted ceilings exposing the wood trusses and large circular chandeliers. Anchoring the space is a natural river-rock stone fireplace with windows on all sides capturing views of the forest and lake. A spacious kitchen with custom hickory cabinetry and cobalt blue appliances opens up the the great room creating a warm and inviting setting. The unassuming exterior is adorned in circle sawn cedar siding with red windows. The inside surfaces are clad in circle sawn wood boards adding to the rustic feel of the cabin.