Finished addition, with contemporary casement window design
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Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard deck remodel in Seattle with no cover

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Large traditional two-story exterior home idea in Seattle

Rob Karosis: Photographer
Example of a mid-sized classic backyard stone and rectangular lap pool design in Bridgeport

Example of a mid-sized trendy backyard stamped concrete and rectangular lap pool design in New York

Elegant l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Jeri Koegel
Example of a large trendy formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room design in Orange County with white walls, a ribbon fireplace and no tv

Inspiration for a large timeless backyard stone patio remodel in Los Angeles with a fire pit

When you open the back doors of the home of Nancy and Jeremy Campbell in Granville, you don’t just step out onto a patio. You enter an extension of a modern living space that just happens to be outdoors. Their patio’s unique design and setting provides the comfort and style of indoors while enjoying the natural beauty and fresh air of outdoors. It all started with a rather desolate back yard. “It was completely blank, there was nothing back there,” Nancy remembers of the patio space of this 1972 split-level house they bought five years ago. With a blank slate to work with, the Campbells knew the key elements of what they wanted for their new outdoor space when they sat down with Travis Ketron of Ketron Custom Builders to design it. “We knew we wanted something covered so we could use it in the rain, and in the winter, and we knew we wanted a stone fireplace,” Nancy recalls. Travis translated the Campbells’ vision into a design to satisfy outdoor entertaining and relaxing desires in all seasons. The new outdoor space is reminiscent of a vast, rustic great room complete with a stone fireplace, a vaulted ceiling, skylights, and ceiling fans, yet no walls. The space is completely open to the elements without any glass or doors on any of the sides, except from the house. Furnished like a great room, with a built-in music system as well, it’s truly an extension of indoor living and entertaining space, and one that is unaffected by rain. Jeremy comments, “We haven’t had to cover the furniture yet. It would have to be a pretty strong wind to get wet.” Just outside the covered patio is a quartet of outdoor chairs adorned with plush cushions and colorful pillows, positioned perfectly for users to bask in the sun. In the design process, the fireplace emerged as the anchor of the space and set the stage for the outdoor space both aesthetically and functionally. “We didn’t want it to block the view. Then designing the space with Travis, the fireplace became the center,” remembers Jeremy. Placed directly across from the two sets of French doors leading out from the house, a Rumford fireplace and extended hearth of stone in neutral earth tones is the focal point of this outdoor living room. Seating for entertaining and lounging falls easily into place around it providing optimal viewing of the private, wooded back yard. When temperatures cool off, the fireplace provides ample warmth and a cozy setting to experience the change of seasons. “It’s a great fireplace for the space,” Jeremy says of the unique design of a Rumford style fireplace. “The way you stack the wood in the fireplace is different so as to get more heat. It has a shallower box, burns hotter and puts off more heat. Wood is placed in it vertically, not stacked.” Just in case the fireplace doesn’t provide enough light for late-night soirees, there is additional outdoor lighting mounted from the ceiling to make sure the party always goes on. Travis brought the idea of the Rumford outdoor fireplace to the Campbells. “I learned about it a few years back from some masons, and I was intrigued by the idea then,” he says. “We like to do stuff that’s out of the norm, and this fireplace fits the space and function very well.” Travis adds, “People want unique things that are designed for them. That’s our style to do that for them.” The patio also extends out to an uncovered area set up with patio tables for grilling and dining. Gray pavers flow throughout from the covered space to the open-air area. Their continuous flow mimics the feel of flooring that extends from a living room into a dining room inside a home. Also, the earth tone colors throughout the space on the pavers, fireplace and furnishings help the entire space mesh nicely with its natural surroundings. A little ways off from both the covered and uncovered patio area is a stone fire pit ring. Removed by just the right distance, it provides a separate place for young adults to gather and enjoy the night. Adirondack chairs and matching tables surround the outdoor fire pit, offering seating for anyone who doesn’t wish to stand and a place to set down ingredients for yummy fireside treats like s’mores. Padded chairs outside the reach of the pavilion and the nearby umbrella the perfect place to kick back and relax in the sun. The colorful throw pillows and outdoor furniture cushions add some needed color and a touch of personality. Enjoying the comforts of indoors while being outdoors is exactly what the Campbells are doing now, particularly when lounging on the comfortable wicker furniture that dominate most of the area. “My favorite part of the whole thing is the fireplace,” Nancy says. Jeremy concludes, “There is no television, it would destroy the ambiance out there. We just enjoy listening to music and watching the fire.”

The buyers were looking to remove their existing sunroom and add a covered outdoor living area. The original goal was to extend it to the end of the house but we were able to keep that uncovered and add some additional features to the covered area like the tongue and groove ceiling and the stamped concrete to get the look they wanted. The covered space is approx. 220 square feet and 450 sq ft total including the concrete. The lower plate line of the house gave us an opportunity to slope the ceiling back towards the house to create additional volume inside of the space. The room has recess cans, a fan, and is wired for a television with a Sonos Sound Bar. The stamped concrete is an Arizona Flagstone pattern with individually colored and carved stones. The stamped concrete is an Arizona Flagstone pattern with individually colored and carved stones.

Emily Followill
Example of a mid-sized country medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Atlanta with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, an undermount sink, marble countertops, white backsplash, white countertops and beaded inset cabinets

Ipe deck into back of home with spa and covered area in background.
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard ground level outdoor shower deck remodel in San Francisco with no cover

This stamped, decorative concrete patio in O'Fallon is partially covered. The ceiling is whitewashed cedar and has recessed lights and a fan. There is seating and dining space and a stone surrounded cooking area with a granite counter top, built-in Napoleon grill, Firemagic cabinet and drawers. There is bar seating at the counter on the opposite side which backs up to the open patio and wood burning firepit.

Matthew Millman
Example of a trendy deck design in San Francisco

Example of an arts and crafts deck design in Minneapolis

Large country two-story wood exterior home idea in Burlington

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard deck remodel in Manchester with a fire pit and no cover

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard deck remodel in Los Angeles with a fire pit and no cover