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.

This is a great example of how Cooke accommodates the design needs of our customers. This Santa Barbara fire pit table compliments this compact patio space by blending in, not being too noisy or obtrusive. The grey powdercoat color leaves an opportunity for a bright accent piece, colorful flora, furniture, and lighting to play a larger role in visually defining this space. Our customers love being able to use Cooke colors to bring a theme and a feeling of completeness to their outdoor space. We'd also like to point out that this is a propane model. The refillable tank is neatly stored in the base of the table, accessed via the small door visible in this picture. This is a great option for those who like rearranging their spaces. Natural gas models are also available. The small silver dial underneath the table top offers precise and safe flame control.

Rear seating area with fire pit against a retaining wall. ©Daniel Bosler Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary drought-tolerant backyard concrete paver landscaping in Los Angeles with a fire pit.

COOKE Montecito fire pit table in Corona Del Mar CA
Example of a beach style backyard patio design in Orange County with a fire pit

This fire pit comes with a surprising twist-- its lit both with the fire from above and lights from below creating a uniquely warm and inviting fire pit area.

Frenchmen's Club Mod by Krista Watterworth Design Studio in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Photography by Mark Roskams. This outdoor space was tired and dated. We brought it into the present with modern luxuries, and an open, contemporary feel.

This patio uses 'one of a kind' pavers. They were salvaged from a Lake Bluff street demolition and probably date back to the 1930's. Dan Wells
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Traditional Style Fire Feature - the Prescott Fire Pit - using Techo-Bloc's Prescott wall & Piedimonte cap.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional full sun backyard stone landscaping in DC Metro with a fire pit for summer.

Poolside fire pit and barbecue with dining area. Stone limestone pavers with porcelain veneer throughout. Studio H Landscape Architecture
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Seating for eight on the rustic green adirondack chairs. Fire pit is sunken into the earth and ringed with large granite boulders. Bluestone gravel adds to the rustic feel. Photo by Russell and Terra Jenkins

A backyard fire pit should match your landscape and home design. Whether your fire pit is gas or wood, Big Rock Landscaping can help design your ideal fire pit.

Outdoor seating area and retaining wall with prefabricated fire feature and native California plants. This design also includes a custom outdoor kitchen with a freestanding pergola.

We created a custom paver design and included a gas fire pit.
Patio - mid-sized modern backyard concrete paver patio idea in Orange County with a fire pit and no cover

River rock in this in ground fire feature are a natural addition to the whole yard.
Photo of a traditional backyard river rock landscaping in Salt Lake City with a fire pit.

Traditional Style Fire Feature - the Prescott Fire Pit - using Techo-Bloc's Prescott wall & Piedimonte cap.
Design ideas for a large contemporary backyard stone landscaping in New York with a fire pit.

Here, a concrete fire pit is pictured with built-in bench seating made of cumaru wood. Throw pillows have been added to give splashes of color. Behind the seating area are tall modern grasses, used to soften the screen area in the back. A modern concrete hardscape with Mexican beach pebble bands is featured, along with the concrete fire pit and built-in bench seating made of cumaru wood. An indoor/outdoor room is pictured with the concrete firepit in the foreground. A convenient outdoor dining room is shown here, featuring a modern concrete hardscape with Mexican beach pebble bands. A colorful umbrella, cushions and flower pots create visual interest. The cumaru horizontal wood screen has been added to create privacy. The expansive balcony off this modern home allows residents to enjoy the beautiful ocean views. The deck is constructed of cumaru wood, with cable rail wrapped around it. A native, low-water-use plant palette is featured in the foreground. Featured here are steps with cable rail leading down to the lower terrace. Concrete steppers in the grass create a walking path to the deck area under the balcony. The space was designed around the old pine in the foreground that was kept to add character. Also in view is a turf play area for kids. Here, a balcony with cable rail is pictured, along with a private garden with ocean view off the master bedroom. A modern concrete hardscape with Mexican beach pebble bands is featured, along with a low-water-use palette. Front & Backyard Landscape Design - La Jolla, CA Here, a succulent garden is the highlight, with some decorative pebbles and boulders used in combination as accents with a low-water-use plant palette. A horizontal screen fence made of beautiful cumaru wood is in the foreground, with a modern paver driveway in view. Here, a succulent garden with vibrant flowers can be viewed in the foreground. This aloe plant with coral flowers is a great example of a low-water-use focal plant. The modern paver driveway highlights this modern design featuring low-water-use olive trees in mass groupings. The cumaru wood fence can be viewed in the background. Also in view are boulders, which were found on the property and repurposed in the landscape. The modern paver driveway is in view, with native grasses used to give movement as they sway in the wind. The design incorporates this beautiful old pine (on the right)that was on the property. This view of the driveway shows how boulders found on the property were incorporated into the design, with the cumaru wood screen fence and low-water-use olive trees also in view. This view shows the modern design of the house and the paver driveway. Also in view is theMexican beach pebble bed with modern grasses. A modern bridge entry over a succulent gardencan be seen in the background. This photo shows the modern bridge entry over a succulent garden. The modern architecture is showcased here, and in the foreground, flowering succulents contrast nicely with the wood. A view of the modern architecture of the home and the paver driveway, with native grasses incorporated to create movement in the landscape. Colorful grasses create movement here in this side view of the home. A succulent garden with a low-water-use plant palette and colorful flowering plants is featured. Boulders found on the property have been repurposed in the landscape. In this view, different colors and textures are used to create visual interest. The low-water-use olive trees and succulent garden are pictured. Here, a concrete fire pit is pictured with built-in bench seating made of cumaru wood. Throw pillows have been added to give splashes of color. Behind the seating area are tall modern grasses, used to soften the screen area in the back. A modern concrete hardscape with Mexican beach pebble bands is featured, along with the concrete fire pit and built-in bench seating made of cumaru wood. An indoor/outdoor room is pictured with the concrete firepit in the foreground. A convenient outdoor dining room is shown here, featuring a modern concrete hardscape with Mexican beach pebble bands. A colorful umbrella, cushions and flower pots create visual interest. The cumaru horizontal wood screen has been added to create privacy. The expansive balcony off this modern home allows residents to enjoy the beautiful ocean views. The deck is constructed of cumaru wood, with cable rail wrapped around it. A native, low-water-use plant palette is featured in the foreground. Featured here are steps with cable rail leading down to the lower terrace. Concrete steppers in the grass create a walking path to the deck area under the balcony. The space was designed around the old pine in the foreground that was kept to add character. Also in view is a turf play area for kids. Here, a balcony with cable rail is pictured, along with a private garden with ocean view off the master bedroom. A modern concrete hardscape with Mexican beach pebble bands is featured, along with a low-water-use palette.

Cube_firepits > CUBICA FIRE PIT: Color: Light grey color Black Firepit > CUBICA FIRE PIT Color: Charcoal color Dims: 42" x 42" x 18" H Ignition: Gas / Lighter Location: Jack London Sq. Oakland, CA Cost: $2000 - 3000 Style: Contemporary

Ground view of deck. Outwardly visible structural elements are wrapped in pVC. Photo Credit: Johnna Harrison
Example of a large classic backyard outdoor kitchen deck design in DC Metro with a pergola

Installation of Gas Line, Key Valve & all major components of Fire Pit (everything but the stone). Chicago Gas Lines stocks all major fire pit components.