These Katy TX homeowners were looking for a space that would combine their love for the outdoors and watching sports. Tradition Outdoor Living designed a unique open plan that includes a covered patio flanked by two cedar pergolas and a stone fire pit. This combination of structures provides a fully protected lounge area for TV viewing and two partially shaded areas for grilling and dining in comfort. The covered patio has an open gable roof with cedar trusses, cedar trimmed columns and beams. The stained tongue and groove ceiling is fitted out with recessed lighting and ceiling fans. The matching pergolas provide partial shade while allowing natural light to filter through. The concrete was extended to create room for seating around the fire pit. The concrete is stamped and stained to coordinate with the stone fire pit and stone footers. Rustic lighting, furniture and decor create a laid back, rugged outdoor retreat.

The Master Terrace is a perfect place to enjoy a beer and a magazine by the fire while overlooking the garden.
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Modern rectangular concrete gas fire table by Castin Crete, designed with a clean architectural form and generous tabletop space for outdoor entertaining. The round burner opening provides a central gathering point while leaving usable surface around the flame. Castin Crete fire tables are made using GFRC and can be customized in size, color, finish, fuel type, and burner configuration for residential and commercial outdoor spaces.

Adirondack chairs and teak stools by Gloster. Fire pit by Fire Pit Art. All available at AuthenTEAK.
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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.

The bench curves around the space and connects with the kitchen area. The fire bowl, which nestles in the circular part of the bench, is oversized as not to be overwhelmed by the open space. Photo by Marcus Teply,

This stunning outdoor living space is a true backyard retreat. The custom screened porch, designed to look original to the home, exits to a deck and patio, creating smooth transition from home to yard. The wood deck design incorporates an inset hot tub with additional built-in storage. The storage cabinet sits along one side of the hot tub, creating a place to rest food, drinks, or candles while enjoying the water. The outdoor lighting built into the stair risers create a soft, ambient glow while providing a safe environment for people to move about the deck after the sun goes down. The Unilock patio features Holland Stone pavers in Autumn Red and a built-in Brussel Dimensional Stone fire pit in Limestone color. The triangular shape provides a unique look for the wood burning fire pit., and the placement offers warmth and ambiance for anyone in the hot tub or gathered around fire.

Built for Citizen Restaurant in Beverly Hills, California, this custom Montecito features a polished Steel Grey granite top, black 304 stainless steel base, and 100k BTU fire.

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Old growth fir and native forest set the backdrop to this rugged, rustic, woodsy campfire space. The Montana stone fire pit is the center piece surrounded by a random natural stone patio and massive blue basalt boulder seats.

Small space living solutions are used throughout this contemporary 596 square foot tiny house. Adjustable height table in the entry area serves as both a coffee table for socializing and as a dining table for eating. Curved banquette is upholstered in outdoor fabric for durability and maximizes space with hidden storage underneath the seat. Kitchen island has a retractable countertop for additional seating while the living area conceals a work desk and media center behind sliding shoji screens. Calming tones of sand and deep ocean blue fill the tiny bedroom downstairs. Glowing bedside sconces utilize wall-mounting and swing arms to conserve bedside space and maximize flexibility.

Photos by Linda Oyama Bryan
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Paloform Robata Modern Rectangular Outdoor Fire Pit from Stardust Modern Design. Robata is the ultimate modern outdoor fire place. Long and low, its horizontal proportions and linear flame are designed to define social spaces. Cast in smooth, high-performance concrete, Robata Linear Outdoor Fire has a clean, organic aesthetic that will dramatically enhance any outdoor living area.

Adjacent to the television lounge is a recessed seating nook with a large stone fire pit. The uniquely designed seating delivers intimacy and comfort. with a cushioned surrounding bench adorned with custom throw pillows. The fire pit is the heart of this area providing warmth and gathering charm.