Three details in particular stand out on this second story deck design. First is the floor board pattern with diagonal lines and a center parting board. Secondly, the rails are matching hardwood however metal pickets add a modern day flair to an otherwise traditional deck. And third, a safety gate at the top of the deck stairs properly encloses and secures the space. Project design and construction by Archadeck of West County in St. Louis Mo.

This couple purchased a second home as a respite from city living. Living primarily in downtown Chicago the couple desired a place to connect with nature. The home is located on 80 acres and is situated far back on a wooded lot with a pond, pool and a detached rec room. The home includes four bedrooms and one bunkroom along with five full baths. The home was stripped down to the studs, a total gut. Linc modified the exterior and created a modern look by removing the balconies on the exterior, removing the roof overhang, adding vertical siding and painting the structure black. The garage was converted into a detached rec room and a new pool was added complete with outdoor shower, concrete pavers, ipe wood wall and a limestone surround. Living Room Details: Two-story space open to the kitchen features a cultured cut stone fireplace and wood niche. The niche exposes the existing stone prior to the renovation. -Large picture windows -Sofa, Interior Define -Poof, Luminaire -Artwork, Linc Thelen (Oil on Canvas) -Sconces, Lighting NY -Coffe table, Restoration Hardware -Rug, Crate and Barrel -Floor lamp, Restoration Hardware -Storage beneath the painting, custom by Linc in his shop. -Side table, Mater -Lamp, Gantri -White shiplap ceiling with white oak beams -Flooring is rough wide plank white oak and distressed

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.

With a grand total of 1,247 square feet of living space, the Lincoln Deck House was designed to efficiently utilize every bit of its floor plan. This home features two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a two-car detached garage and boasts an impressive great room, whose soaring ceilings and walls of glass welcome the outside in to make the space feel one with nature.

One of our most substantial projects to date was this second-floor expansion. This family needed more space to spread out and decided the best way to get it was to add a new floor. The second floor includes two kids' bedrooms, a kids' bathroom, a master bedroom, a master closet, a master bath, a laundry closet, and a family lounge area. ​For the exterior, a new farmer's porch was added to the front along with a new stamped concrete walkway leading the front door. Around the back, we added a Juilet balcony off the family lounge area featuring steel cable rails and overlooking the backyard.

Large country u-shaped dark wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash and stone tile backsplash

A second floor deck connects the sun room to the outdoors.
Mid-sized contemporary beige two-story stucco flat roof idea in Other

Studio Munroe, Photography by Thomas Kuoh
Mid-sized transitional deck photo in San Francisco

Mid-sized elegant backyard deck photo in Cleveland with no cover

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard deck remodel in Cleveland with no cover

Second floor balcony looking west, with solar shading. View into upstairs office. Photo: Juintow Lin
Example of a mid-sized trendy rooftop rooftop deck design in San Diego with a roof extension

Limestone tiles in the interior space, surrounded by custom-cut slab pieces of limestone and marble make up the border. Materials Used - Portuguese Limestone/ Honed Finish (Tiles & Custom Slab Exterior) - Italian Brown Marble "Cafe Bruno" (Custom Slab Exterior)

Example of a small transitional backyard second story metal railing deck design in Philadelphia with a roof extension

Sam Oberter
Bathroom - mid-sized scandinavian white tile white floor bathroom idea in Philadelphia with a trough sink, flat-panel cabinets and medium tone wood cabinets

Not everyone has the backyard that suits a hardscape patio. Those situations sometimes call for a different approach....especially in this case! We built a second-level deck and pergola for this family outside of Greenfield. Cedar all around! They also wanted to retain their beautiful views. So we used a cable railing system that is safe and effective at preventing falls, but also perfect for maximizing those views. I think it turned out well, don't you? Sun-Dried tomatoes anyone?

3/4" x 9.5" European White Oak Plank with a custom hand wirebrush, bevel, stain & finish. Photography; The Bowman Group
Transitional dark wood floor and gray floor bedroom photo in Orange County with gray walls

Photographer: Kevin Colquhoun
Huge elegant wooden straight staircase photo in New York with wooden risers

We removed the old second floor deck (see "Before" pic) and erected a balcony deck and cover which we call the "Bird's Nest." Materials are cedar and composite and miscelaneous woods.

This remodel consisted of a whole house transformation. We took this 3 bedroom dated home and turned it into a 5 bedroom award winning showpiece, all without an addition. By reworking the awkward floor plan and lowering the living room floor to be level with the rest of the house we were able to create additional space within the existing footprint of the home. What was once the small lack-luster master suite, is now 2 kids bedrooms that share a jack and jill bath. The master suite was relocated to the first floor, and the kitchen that was located right at the front door, is now located in the back of the home with great access to the patio overlooking the golf course. View more about this project and our company at our website: www.davefox.com