Challenge This 2001 riverfront home was purchased by the owners in 2015 and immediately renovated. Progressive Design Build was hired at that time to remodel the interior, with tentative plans to remodel their outdoor living space as a second phase design/build remodel. True to their word, after completing the interior remodel, this young family turned to Progressive Design Build in 2017 to address known zoning regulations and restrictions in their backyard and build an outdoor living space that was fit for entertaining and everyday use. The homeowners wanted a pool and spa, outdoor living room, kitchen, fireplace and covered patio. They also wanted to stay true to their home’s Old Florida style architecture while also adding a Jamaican influence to the ceiling detail, which held sentimental value to the homeowners who honeymooned in Jamaica. Solution To tackle the known zoning regulations and restrictions in the backyard, the homeowners researched and applied for a variance. With the variance in hand, Progressive Design Build sat down with the homeowners to review several design options. These options included: Option 1) Modifications to the original pool design, changing it to be longer and narrower and comply with an existing drainage easement Option 2) Two different layouts of the outdoor living area Option 3) Two different height elevations and options for the fire pit area Option 4) A proposed breezeway connecting the new area with the existing home After reviewing the options, the homeowners chose the design that placed the pool on the backside of the house and the outdoor living area on the west side of the home (Option 1). It was important to build a patio structure that could sustain a hurricane (a Southwest Florida necessity), and provide substantial sun protection. The new covered area was supported by structural columns and designed as an open-air porch (with no screens) to allow for an unimpeded view of the Caloosahatchee River. The open porch design also made the area feel larger, and the roof extension was built with substantial strength to survive severe weather conditions. The pool and spa were connected to the adjoining patio area, designed to flow seamlessly into the next. The pool deck was designed intentionally in a 3-color blend of concrete brick with freeform edge detail to mimic the natural river setting. Bringing the outdoors inside, the pool and fire pit were slightly elevated to create a small separation of space. Result All of the desirable amenities of a screened porch were built into an open porch, including electrical outlets, a ceiling fan/light kit, TV, audio speakers, and a fireplace. The outdoor living area was finished off with additional storage for cushions, ample lighting, an outdoor dining area, a smoker, a grill, a double-side burner, an under cabinet refrigerator, a major ventilation system, and water supply plumbing that delivers hot and cold water to the sinks. Because the porch is under a roof, we had the option to use classy woods that would give the structure a natural look and feel. We chose a dark cypress ceiling with a gloss finish, replicating the same detail that the homeowners experienced in Jamaica. This created a deep visceral and emotional reaction from the homeowners to their new backyard. The family now spends more time outdoors enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Their professional lives allow them to take a trip to paradise right in their backyard—stealing moments that reflect on the past, but are also enjoyed in the present.

Large cottage beige two-story mixed siding gable roof photo in DC Metro

Pool fountain - mid-sized modern backyard rectangular pool fountain idea in Dallas with decking

Modern Tudor on the Prairie Our clients fell in love with the wide-open spaces of the White Oaks Savanna development. They dreamed of a home that celebrated the beauty of Minnesota’s ever-changing landscape and blurred the line between indoor and outdoor. They wanted a home with a traditional exterior, impressive entry, and modern interiors. The large site provides spectacular views of the restored prairie landscape. All four sides of this home are refined and architecturally resolved since each elevation is highly visible in the open prairie setting. Properly locating the home on the site was critical to maintaining the stunning prairie views. The home is nestled behind a hill instead of sitting on top of it, so it is blocked from the neighbors and respects their views. Natural materials adorn the exterior, including cedar, stone, stucco, and copper, that act as “jewelry” for the home. The cedar and copper will patina with time, adding richness and texture to the home. Front Door: The custom front door is 4 feet wide by 8 feet tall. It is paired with a matching fixed panel, so the door appears to be 8 feet wide from the outside, and is painted a cheery bright blue to greet visitors. The intentional placement of color adds vibrancy throughout the home in contrast to the quiet exterior colors. The bold pops of color requested by the client continue on the interior of the home, including a turquoise dining room, magenta closet doors, and a deep blue basement. Lantern Staircase: A triple-height stair floating in front of 18-foot-high windows welcomes visitors. At night, a hidden, remote controlled retractable shade scrim (lightweight shade) limits light pollution to follow the Dark Skies Initiative. Great Room: Cased openings of white oak create transition spaces and frame views to and from the grand, two-story great room. The entry and dining room have cozy 8-foot ceilings and are perched 12” up from the great room for views over the living room furniture. To avoid dining chairs sliding over the steps, a custom built-in credenza sits on the steps behind the dining table. Folding Outswing Door: The 20’ wide by 9.5’ tall folding outswing door blurs the line between outside and inside. A hidden bi-parting retractable bug screen allows the large door to remain open throughout the day to bring in fresh air. Catwalk: A catwalk, or raised walkway, on the upper floor overlooks the great room and leads to the guest suites. A long bench with built-in linen storage is tucked into a niche with clerestory windows, providing a cozy spot for guests to relax. Guest laundry is tucked into the backside of the fireplace chimney. Owner's Suite: From the start, the owners wanted their bedroom perched on the second level to maximize views of the prairie beyond. Located in its own wing of the home, the owners’ suite offers privacy. Magenta closet doors guide the owners into the bedroom and adjacent bathroom. Lifestyle: The home incorporates numerous lifestyle features that are as much a part of the house as the main spaces. A sauna is located on the main level, allowing for easy access after a dip in the pool and a wine cellar is tucked neatly under the staircase for convenient and beautiful display.

© Todd Haiman Landscape Design
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard concrete paver landscaping in New York.

Inspiration for a mid-sized 1960s backyard concrete paver patio kitchen remodel in Houston with a roof extension

A view from the hill top vegetable garden looking down the steps towards the pool and gardens.
Inspiration for a huge farmhouse partial sun backyard concrete paver water fountain landscape in Louisville for summer.

Hot tub - mid-sized mediterranean backyard stamped concrete and custom-shaped aboveground hot tub idea in Austin

Craig Westerman
Example of a large classic backyard deck design in Baltimore with a fire pit and a roof extension

Morris County custom Swimming Pool Design & Pool Designer: Boonton, chatham borough, chatham township, chester borough, chester township, denville, Florham park, east hanover, harding township, green village, new Vernon, Jefferson, kinnelon, Madison, mendham, mendham borough, mendham township, brookside, Montville, pine brook, Towaco, morris plains, morris township, Morristown, mount olive, budd lake, flanders, Parsippany, Pequannock, pompton plains, Randolph, riverdale, rockaway, rockaway township, Roxbury, ledgewood, Succasunna, Washington township, long valley. Somerset County custom Swimming Pool Design & Pool Designer: Bedminster, lamington, pluckemin, pottersville, bernards township, basking ridge, liberty corner, lyons, west Millington, Bernardsville, brachburg, north branch, Neshanic station, bridgewater, far hills, franklin township, green brook, Hillsborough, Manville, millstone, peapack-gladstone, Gladstone, Somerville, Raritan, warren, watching Hunterdon County custom Swimming Pool Design & Pool Designer: Alexandria township, Bethlehem township, clintin township, annadale, east amwell township, Delaware towhship, ringoes, Holland township, kingwood township, Lebanon township, Raritan township, readington township, whitehouse station, whitehouse, three bridges, Tewksbury township, oldwick, union township, west amwell township, Lambertville Bergen County custom Swimming Pool Design & Pool Designer: Allendale, alpine, Bergenfield, closter, demarest, Dumont, edgewater, Elmwood park, Englewood, Englewood cliffs, fair lawn, fort lee, 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Sussex borough, Vernon township, highland lakes, Hudson County custom Swimming Pool Design & Pool Designer: Bayonne, jersey city, Hoboken, Kearny north Bergen Weehawken, union city, west new york, Secaucus Passaic County custom Swimming Pool Design & Pool Designer: Bloomingdale, Clifton, haledon, hawthorne, little falls, north haledon, pampton lakes, prospect park, Ringwood, Totowa, Wanaque, Haskell, wayne, packanack lake, pines lake, west milford, woodland park Monmouth County custom Swimming Pool Design & Pool Designer: Aberdeen, Allenhurst, Allentown, atlantic highlands, avon-by-the-sea, Belmar, Bradley beach, Brielle, colts neck township, deal, Eatontown, fair haven, Englishtown, farmingdale, freehold borough, freehold township, hazlet, hightlands, holmdell, howell, Keansburg keyport, hazlet, little silver, long branch, malapan, manasquan, Marlboro, matawan, Middletown, millstone, Monmouth beach, Neptune, ocean township, oceanport, red bank, Roosevelt, rumson, sea bright, sea girt, 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Natural Stone outdoor Living Area This Natural Stone Outdoor living Area features tons of amazing natural stone work throughout the project. The installation features a natural stone pool deck, broken flagstone paths, entrance patio at pool house, and natural stone waterfall at pool. Pool deck, patio, and paths are constructed using full color irregular PA flagstone. Joints in flagstone patio were filled with Unilock ‘EZPro’ joint material. Spaces between stones in path have lawn installed. An additional broken flagstone patio area in back of home was also installed. Pool Waterfall The Pool Waterfall is constructed using Semco ‘Weathered Limestone’ with stone outcroppings and boulders placed in areas surrounding waterfall and back side of pool for more natural appearance. Landscaping was installed around the backside of the waterfalls to further naturalize the apperance and disguise the pool equipment. Front Stone Walkway Flagstone walkways and steps were installed in multiple areas around the home. The Main entrance to the home features a long spaced flagstone walkway with natural stone natural stone steps and landing area. Two separate side entrance’s to the home are also complete with natural stone steps and landing areas. Landing and step risers were finished with matching stucco. Cobblestone Walkways and Driveway Accents Other paths around the house are bordered with gray Belgium block cobble stone, lined with 3/8″ decorative pebble, with stone base and separation material beneath. Two belgium block driveway bands as well as linear belgium block driveway curbing along the flower bed edges at the driveway were installed in the front of the home. Landscape Lighting Also included in this project is the installation of the low voltage LED landscape lighting system. The Coastal Source system with vintage brass finish included path lights, uplights, and niche lights. Landscaping Landscape beds, plants and trees, and pine needle mulch were installed through out the property. There was also a significant amount of regrading and seeding done. Water retention Basins Two large underground water retention basins were installed on separate sides of the the property. These basins will house the majority of the run off from the entire roof area and allow it to percolate back in to the soil. see more amazing projects: https://cepontzsons.com

Photo: Lucy Call © 2014 Houzz Design: Imbue Design
Example of a trendy kids' room design in Salt Lake City

Picture Perfect House

The site's privacy permitted the use of extensive glass. Overhangs were calibrated to minimize summer heat gain.
Inspiration for a mid-sized rustic black three-story concrete fiberboard exterior home remodel in Chicago with a green roof

Michael K. Wilkinson Featured in Houzz Editorial Story: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/66934920/list/i-pro-rispondono-come-realizzare-una-cucina-in-muratura-da-esterno

Mike Jensen Photography
Large traditional gray two-story wood house exterior idea in Seattle with a clipped gable roof and a shingle roof

View of the house from the backyard pool area. integrates steps on the right connect the lower level lawn with the pool and patio. Full floor to ceiling windows allow for stunning views of the farm fields on the backside and ocean on the front.

Exterior home idea in Other

Photo shows back side of Japanese Tea House where the Tokonoma is located. On either side there is a hand designed stained glass window. The Inner Roji garden path of stepping stones is in the foreground. Photo credits: Dan Drobnick