From under this white vinyl pergola, these homeowners can relax and enjoy some wine while also keeping an eye on the kids as they swim!
Mid-sized elegant backyard stamped concrete patio photo in Philadelphia with a fire pit and a pergola

The planning phase of this modern retreat was an intense collaboration that took place over the course of more than two years. While the initial design concept exceeded the clients' expectations, it also exceeded their budget beyond the point of comfort. The next several months were spent modifying the design, in attempts to lower the budget. Ultimately, the decision was made that they would hold off on the project until they could budget for the original design, rather than compromising the vision. About a year later, we repeated that same process, which resulted in the same outcome. After another year-long hiatus, we met once again. We revisited design thoughts, each of us bringing to the table new ideas and options. Each thought simply solidified the fact that the initial vision was absolutely what we all wanted to see come to fruition, and the decision was finally made to move forward. The main challenge of the site was elevation. The Southeast corner of the lot stands 5'6" above the threshold of the rear door, while the Northeast corner dropped a full 2' below the threshold of the door. The backyard was also long and narrow, sloping side-to-side and toward the house. The key to the design concept was to deftly place the project into the slope and utilize the elevation changes, without allowing them to dominate the yard, or overwhelm the senses. The unseen challenge on this project came in the form of hitting every underground issue possible. We had to relocate the sewer main, the gas line, and the electrical service; and since rock was sitting about 6" below the surface, all of these had to be chiseled through many feet of dense rock, adding to our projected timeline and budget. As you enter the space, your first stop is an outdoor living area. Smooth finished concrete, colored to match the 'Leuder' limestone coping, has a subtle saw-cut pattern aligned with the edges of the recessed fire pit. In small spaces, it is important to consider a multi-purpose approach. So, the recessed fire pit has been fitted with an aluminum cover that allows our client to set up tables and chairs for entertaining, right over the top of the fire pit. From here, it;s two steps up to the pool elevation, and the floating 'Leuder' limestone stepper pads that lead across the pool and hide the dam wall of the flush spa. The main retaining wall to the Southeast is a poured concrete wall with an integrated sheer descent waterfall into the spa. To bring in some depth and texture, a 'Brownstone' ledgestone was used to face both the dropped beam on the pool, and the raised beam of the water feature wall. The main water feature is comprised of five custom made stainless steel scuppers, supplied by a dedicated booster pump. Colored concrete stepper pads lead to the 'Ipe' wood deck at the far end of the pool. The placement of this wood deck allowed us to minimize our use of retaining walls on the Northeast end of the yard, since it drops off over three feet below the elevation of the pool beam. One of the most unique features on this project has to be the structure over the dining area. With a unique combination of steel and wood, the clean modern aesthetic of this structure creates a visual stamp in the space that standard structure could not accomplish. 4" steel posts, painted charcoal grey, are set on an angle, 4' into the bedrock, to anchor the structure. Steel I-beams painted in green-yellow color--aptly called "frolic"--act as the base to the hefty cedar rafters of the roof structure, which has a slight pitch toward the rear. A hidden gutter on the back of the roof sends water down a copper rain chain, and into the drainage system. The backdrop for both this dining area , as well as the living area, is the horizontal screen panel, created with alternating sizes of cedar planks, stained to a calm hue of dove grey.

Michele Lee Willson Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary decomposed granite patio remodel in San Francisco with a pergola

outdoor living space, outdoor cook station, outdoor kitchen, bluestone hardscaping, custom wood structures, pergolas, arbor
Patio - contemporary patio idea in Portland

This project started as a simple driveway remodel. The homeowners had multiple tree roots breaking through the concrete, so we came in and installed pavers for superior durability and support. During the project the homeowner mentioned needing to upgrade the pergola, so we kindly offered to help. Once they decided on the pergola, the homeowners realized they would need to redo the patio if the pergola was going to get fixed. This led to a full-scale backyard remodel, including a new paver patio, pergola, custom paver planters and retaining wall, a built in fire pit and elegant landscape lighting.

Our clients wanted a revamp of the old tile before installing their pergola and renovating their pool and landscape. Beautiful neutral / beige pavers accent the modern feel of this patio.

Example of a mid-sized classic backyard stamped concrete patio kitchen design in Tampa with a pergola

Enhanced curb appeal for the front and a face-lift for the pool, spa and outdoor patio space in the backyard; all result in tranquil outdoor living for these Dallas, TX home owners. We designed the custom patio to include unique, full-color plank Pennsylvania Bluestone on the deck that resembles a wood floor pattern. The patio deck leads out to an outdoor kitchen and bar covered by a custom pergola of smooth cedar finished in white matching the aesthetic of the home. Continuing the cohesiveness, we used the same full-color plank Bluestone for the small patio outside the outdoor pool house as well as smooth thermal Pennsylvania Bluestone for the spa, pool coping, and step pads around the pool. http://www.onespecialty.com/enduring-springs/

Large tuscan backyard concrete and rectangular lap pool house photo in San Diego

Outdoor modern style pool area , all new natural tile that complements the outdoor kitchen area and pergola
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Pennsylvania Bluestone pool patio surrounding a rectangular/formal swimming pool. Emerald Green Arborvitae provide privacy.
Example of a mid-sized classic backyard rectangular lap pool design in New York

Photo owned by Pratt Guys - NOTE: This photo can only be used/published online, digitally, TV and print with written permission from Pratt Guys.

Patio kitchen - mid-sized industrial backyard concrete patio kitchen idea in Los Angeles with a pergola

Photo © Claudia Uribe Touri
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Coral Stone
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Beautiful pool with travertine Patio and pool house
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