Stone, shake, multiple metal roofs and gables all combine for a truly unique exterior. At almost 3500 square feet, this home is stunning inside and out. Entertaining is a breeze with the open kitchen, dining and great room, as well as on the screen porch with fireplace, cathedral ceiling and grill. A flexible bedroom/study has its own bath and is an ideal guest suite. The master bedroom is positioned in the rear of the home and features a window seat, built-in shelves and a vaulted ceiling. His-and-her walk-in closets and a dressing room add special touches. A luxurious master bath completes the master suite. Downstairs, the basement level includes two guest rooms, each with their own full bath and a wine cellar. A large storage area and rec room complete the basement. Built by Keener Homes, Inc: http://www.keenerhomes.net

This beautiful home features a spacious indoor-outdoor living area with a gorgeous gas fireplace adorned with Coronado Stone Products Valley Cobble Stone / Wind River. This space features a great area for family and friends to gather and relax. This home was built by Rosewood Homes

Backyard Bocce Court
Photo of a mid-sized farmhouse partial sun backyard outdoor basketball/tennis/multi-game court in Denver for fall.

This beautiful addition to a 1960's home added covered entertaining space. With new pool decking, furnishings, landscaping, and a firepit this area is now an outdoor retreat!

Living room - large contemporary open concept medium tone wood floor living room idea in San Francisco with a standard fireplace, a stacked stone fireplace and no tv

Jackson Design & Remodeling, San Diego, California, Entire House $750,001 to $1,000,000
Large country open concept light wood floor and exposed beam living room photo in San Diego with white walls

A backyard retreat in Dallas, Texas that features a wonderful outdoor living area and luxury swimming pool. This private oasis features a custom designed covered outdoor living pavilion with exposed timber beams and stone columns. The pavilion also features an BBQ grill, outdoor kitchen and seating area for entertaining the entire family. The luxury swimming pool features a travertine terrace and limestone coping. A backdrop fountain feature with decorative spouts, urns and tile which provides a focal feature and relaxing background noise.

Stacking doors roll entirely away, blending the open floor plan with outdoor living areas // Image : John Granen Photography, Inc.
Family room - contemporary open concept wood ceiling family room idea in Seattle with black walls, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace and a media wall

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard stamped concrete patio remodel in St Louis with a roof extension

Here in Florida, we’re blessed with great weather year-round. So it’s no surprise that outdoor entertaining areas are an extremely popular way to enhance outdoor living. When our clients requested an update to their existing outdoor kitchen while they were away on vacation, we were ready to hit the ground running. While their beautiful 2-story home on a golf course had a pool and covered lanai area, the existing outdoor kitchen just didn’t function well for their needs. Mainly, they craved additional counter space and more seating. And, as avid football fans, with a son playing on a renown Division 1 college team, they also wanted a large screen TV to watch games. After all, what better way to share game day excitement than at a barbecue with family and friends? A Bigger, Better Kitchen Layout Our brilliant design team came up with a much larger, u-shaped outdoor kitchen layout for increased functionality. The extra base cabinets provided plenty of storage as well as a foundation for additional countertop space. Adjacent to the sink, we added a 24” outdoor refrigerator to keep food and beverages chilled, and the high top bar allowed for more seating around the perimeter. For cooking, our clients selected a much larger Lynx grill and side burner to replace the original grill. While the kitchen was already set up for a grilling area, it required a hood, so we built and installed a custom hood for proper ventilation. Then, we added a large screen TV above the hood for easy viewing. Finishing Touches To softly illuminate the entire space at night, we installed additional recessed light fixtures into the ceiling and under the grill hood. We also tied the Cypress wood ceiling and the crown molding together into the design with a luxurious cabinet stain. Along with these finishing touches, we added a decorative travertine stone backsplash behind the grill and homogenized the front face of the bar for a polished, matching look. Ventilation Challenges With the outdoor kitchen lanai located directly under a second-floor living area, we had expected to tuck away ventilation ductwork between the second-level floor joists and the exterior wall running parallel to the grill hood. However, upon further investigation, we discovered the second floor joist system, in fact, ran perpendicular to the grill hood. In short, we needed a new way to hide the venting without compromising the original design. Our team came up with an inspired solution: Construction of a false wall behind the outdoor kitchen allowed us to run ductwork without creating a visible chase for the vent, thus maintaining a symmetrical look on both sides of the grill and decorative hood. Exceeding Expectations In the end, we didn’t just meet our clients’ needs for a beautiful outdoor kitchen update – we exceeded them. As planned, we completed the new outdoor kitchen while they were out of town. But when our clients returned from vacation, they were so impressed with the results (and the stress-free design/build experience) that they promptly hired us for another extensive remodel – a stunning home addition!

Located near the base of Scottsdale landmark Pinnacle Peak, the Desert Prairie is surrounded by distant peaks as well as boulder conservation easements. This 30,710 square foot site was unique in terrain and shape and was in close proximity to adjacent properties. These unique challenges initiated a truly unique piece of architecture. Planning of this residence was very complex as it weaved among the boulders. The owners were agnostic regarding style, yet wanted a warm palate with clean lines. The arrival point of the design journey was a desert interpretation of a prairie-styled home. The materials meet the surrounding desert with great harmony. Copper, undulating limestone, and Madre Perla quartzite all blend into a low-slung and highly protected home. Located in Estancia Golf Club, the 5,325 square foot (conditioned) residence has been featured in Luxe Interiors + Design’s September/October 2018 issue. Additionally, the home has received numerous design awards. Desert Prairie // Project Details Architecture: Drewett Works Builder: Argue Custom Homes Interior Design: Lindsey Schultz Design Interior Furnishings: Ownby Design Landscape Architect: Greey|Pickett Photography: Werner Segarra

Michael Jacob
Inspiration for a contemporary backyard concrete patio fountain remodel in St Louis with a roof extension

Sunset Construction and Design specializes in creating residential patio retreats, outdoor kitchens with fireplaces and luxurious outdoor living rooms. Our design-build service can turn an ordinary back yard into a natural extension of your home giving you a whole new dimension for entertaining or simply unwinding at the end of the day. Today, almost any activity you enjoy inside your home you can bring to the outside. Depending on your budget, your outdoor room can be simple, with a stamped concrete patio, a grill and a table for dining, or more elaborate with a fully functional outdoor kitchen complete with concrete countertops for preparing and serving food, a sink and a refrigerator. You can take the concept even further by adding such amenities as a concrete pizza oven, a fireplace or fire-pit, a concrete bar-top for serving cocktails, an architectural concrete fountain, landscape lighting and concrete statuary. Cooking Something to cook with, such as a barbecue grill or wood-fired pizza oven, and countertops for food preparation and serving are key elements in a well-designed outdoor kitchen. Concrete countertops offer the advantages of weather resistance and versatility, since they can be formed into any shape you desire to suit the space. A coat of sealer will simplify cleanup by protecting your countertop from stains. Other amenities, such as concrete bar-tops and outdoor sinks with plumbing, can expand your entertainment options. Hearth Wood-burning or gas fireplaces, fire pits, chimineas and portable patio heaters extend the enjoyment of outdoor living well into the evening while creating a cozy conversation area for people to gather around. If you’re interested in converting a boring back yard or starting from scratch in a new home, look us up! A great patio and outdoor living area can easily be yours. Greg, Sunset Construction & Design in Fresno, CA.

Outdoor lounge area with potted plants and lighting.
Small trendy porch container garden idea in Chicago with decking

The Avignon features breathtaking views of Quail West’s Arthur Hills-designed golf course and coveted southern exposure. Fully furnished by Romanza Interior Design, the open floor plan offers a formal dining room, study, second-floor loft and two guest suites with balconies. The kitchen, casual dining area and great room create a large gathering space, with rooms defined by beamed ceilings and archways. The first-floor owner’s suite features a sitting area framed by a rectangular bay window, a coffered ceiling and two large walk-in closets. Sliding glass doors in the master bath reveal a garden area and outdoor shower. The outdoor living areas offer motorized screens and insect control to enjoy uninhibited views of the golf course as you grill from the outdoor kitchen, or enjoy a relaxing swim in the custom pool, which includes a sun shelf and spa.

Courtesy Coastal Living, a division of the Time Inc. Lifestyle Group, photography by Tria Giovan. Coastal Living is a registered trademark of Time Inc. and is used with permission.

The Kelso's Porch is a stunning outdoor space designed for comfort and entertainment. It features a beautiful brick fireplace surround, creating a cozy atmosphere and a focal point for gatherings. Ceiling heaters are installed to ensure warmth during cooler days or evenings, allowing the porch to be enjoyed throughout the year. The porch is covered, providing protection from the elements and allowing for outdoor enjoyment even during inclement weather. An outdoor covered living space offers additional seating and lounging areas, perfect for relaxing or hosting guests. The porch is equipped with outdoor kitchen appliances, allowing for convenient outdoor cooking and entertaining. A round chandelier adds a touch of elegance and provides ambient lighting. Skylights bring in natural light and create an airy and bright atmosphere. The porch is furnished with comfortable wicker furniture, providing a cozy and stylish seating arrangement. The Kelso's Porch is a perfect retreat for enjoying the outdoors in comfort and style, whether it's for relaxing by the fireplace, cooking and dining al fresco, or simply enjoying the company of family and friends.

A 1980's townhouse located in the Fitler Square neighborhood of Philadelphia was in need of an upgrade. The project that resulted included substantial interior renovation to the four-story townhome overlooking the Schuylkill River. The Owners desired a fresh interpretation of their existing space, more suited for entertaining and uncluttered modern living. This led to a reinvention of the modern master suite and a refocusing of architectural elements and materials throughout the home. Originally comprised of a divided master bedroom, bathroom and office, the fourth floor was entirely redesigned to create a contemporary, open-plan master suite. The bedroom, now located in the center of the floor plan, is composed with custom built-in furniture and includes a glass terrarium and a wet bar. It is flanked by a dressing room on one side and a luxurious bathroom on the other, all open to one another both visually and by circulation. The bathroom includes a free-standing tub, glass shower, custom wood vanity, eco-conscious fireplace, and an outdoor terrace. The open plan allows for great breadth and a wealth of natural light, atypical of townhouse living. The main entertaining floor houses the kitchen, dining area and living room. A sculptural ceiling defines the open dining area, while a long, low concrete hearth connects the new modern fireplace with the concrete stair treads leading up. The bright, neutral color palette of the walls and finishes contrasts against the blackened wood floors. Sleek but comfortable furnishing, dramatic recessed lighting, and a full-home speaker system complete the entertaining space. Barry Halkin and Todd Mason Photography

Built from the ground up on 80 acres outside Dallas, Oregon, this new modern ranch house is a balanced blend of natural and industrial elements. The custom home beautifully combines various materials, unique lines and angles, and attractive finishes throughout. The property owners wanted to create a living space with a strong indoor-outdoor connection. We integrated built-in sky lights, floor-to-ceiling windows and vaulted ceilings to attract ample, natural lighting. The master bathroom is spacious and features an open shower room with soaking tub and natural pebble tiling. There is custom-built cabinetry throughout the home, including extensive closet space, library shelving, and floating side tables in the master bedroom. The home flows easily from one room to the next and features a covered walkway between the garage and house. One of our favorite features in the home is the two-sided fireplace – one side facing the living room and the other facing the outdoor space. In addition to the fireplace, the homeowners can enjoy an outdoor living space including a seating area, in-ground fire pit and soaking tub.