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.”

Robert Swinburne
Small cottage white two-story wood gable roof photo in Boston

This 1890 rowhouse had been renovated over time, most recently in the 70s. Our clients wanted to renovate every floor. The floors and walls were out of level, and most of the systems were old. We gutted the structure to the studs, leveled and reframed the walls and floors, added insulation and updated the plumbing, electrical and HVAC. Once the structural and systems work was complete, our crew installed a new expanded kitchen, updated all the bathrooms, and updated the basement. Reconfiguring the first floor plan involved taking down the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create one large entertaining space. To bring more natural light and provide sight lines from the front to the back of the rowhouse, we added new windows to the back wall and moved the opening to the other side as a full-light door. Kitchen features include: • Cabinetry that extends to the ceiling to maximize storage • Large island with seating for four • Painting that imitates the pattern of the ceiling we uncovered during the renovation • Buffet cabinetry in the dining room with a built-in wine cooler HDBros

Self
Basement - large modern walk-out concrete floor basement idea in Louisville with gray walls and no fireplace

This urban townhouse took on new life when it was renovated for a couple relocating from New York City. The owner’s sophisticated taste, cultivated from world travels, paired with the character of the existing home and resulted in a fresh and colorful gem in the heart of the historic downtown. Extensive approvals from the local Historic District Commission preceded an addition on the rear of the time-honored building and a complete restoration of the exterior. The addition encompasses a first-floor, finished garage with arch doors that open to the gardens, ideal for entertaining. Above the garage accommodates the master bedroom, walk-in closets and a bathroom suite. The exterior restoration allowed the addition of window pediments, shutters with authentic hardware and gaslight features. Pocket gardens surround the townhouse and boast multiple plantings that complement a historic environment. The interior of the home was restructured to allow for reworking of the main stair. The reconfigured flight can now carry the weight of books and art alongside ascending residents and guests. Amid construction, two previously hidden fireplaces were uncovered. By the end of the renovation, four fireplaces were entirely refurbished and now lend immense aesthetic to interior design. The interior finishes within the home keep visitors engaged and impressed. From imported Italian tile to contextually historic light switches, the colorful décor is appealing to all senses. Specially painted walls coordinate with furnishings, bookcases and art. Photos: Greg West Photography

This two bedroom apartment is located in a converted loft building dating from 1881 near Gramercy Park in Manhattan. The design involved the complete remodeling of the apartment, including a new open plan kitchen with an island overlooking the living area. The existing building fabric becomes part of the redesigned space in the form of an exposed cast iron column and an uncovered brickwork wall. These simple moves serve as tectonic reminders of the building's history while being juxtaposed with the modern fixtures and finishes that form the rest of the apartment. Natural light is drawn into the hallway by inserting a glass clerestory over a new storage wall. Cabinetry in the living, kitchen and bedroom spaces is built into the walls to maximize storage areas while creating a fully integrated architectural solution throughout the apartment. Artificial lighting is discreetly added through light coves, recessed ceiling fixtures and under cabinet lights. A warm, yet limited palette of materials include American walnut, limestone and bright red full height closet doors - located in the children's bedroom. www.archphoto.com

Now that the man of the house is retired and spends more time in his Ladue, MO home office, he noticed the need for an updated bathroom, a better-organized closet, and he really wanted to open the shutters and let the light in, but he needed to protect the artwork from sun damage. It was time to refresh. After relocating the entry between the office and closet to gain more space in the bathroom, the original wood floors were uncovered and refinished. A seagrass cloth wallpaper gives the office a dignified, masculine air. Built-in shelving provides storage and display, making the office clutter-free and casually professional. The replacement windows have low-e glass to block UV rays, and louvered double-hung shutters further control lighting. Now that the sun can shine in, there’s relaxing views to the backyard. Toby Weiss for Mosby Building Arts

Patio - traditional backyard patio idea in New York with a pergola and a fire pit

This two bedroom apartment is located in a converted loft building dating from 1881 near Gramercy Park in Manhattan. The design involved the complete remodeling of the apartment, including a new open plan kitchen with an island overlooking the living area. The existing building fabric becomes part of the redesigned space in the form of an exposed cast iron column and an uncovered brickwork wall. These simple moves serve as tectonic reminders of the building's history while being juxtaposed with the modern fixtures and finishes that form the rest of the apartment. Natural light is drawn into the hallway by inserting a glass clerestory over a new storage wall. Cabinetry in the living, kitchen and bedroom spaces is built into the walls to maximize storage areas while creating a fully integrated architectural solution throughout the apartment. Artificial lighting is discreetly added through light coves, recessed ceiling fixtures and under cabinet lights. A warm, yet limited palette of materials include American walnut, limestone and bright red full height closet doors - located in the children's bedroom. www.archphoto.com

Example of a large transitional master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and beige floor alcove shower design in Chicago with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, a two-piece toilet, blue walls and a hinged shower door

This 1890 rowhouse had been renovated over time, most recently in the 70s. Our clients wanted to renovate every floor. The floors and walls were out of level, and most of the systems were old. We gutted the structure to the studs, leveled and reframed the walls and floors, added insulation and updated the plumbing, electrical and HVAC. Once the structural and systems work was complete, our crew installed a new expanded kitchen, updated all the bathrooms, and updated the basement. Reconfiguring the first floor plan involved taking down the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create one large entertaining space. To bring more natural light and provide sight lines from the front to the back of the rowhouse, we added new windows to the back wall and moved the opening to the other side as a full-light door. Kitchen features include: • Cabinetry that extends to the ceiling to maximize storage • Large island with seating for four • Painting that imitates the pattern of the ceiling we uncovered during the renovation • Buffet cabinetry in the dining room with a built-in wine cooler HDBros

This two bedroom apartment is located in a converted loft building dating from 1881 near Gramercy Park in Manhattan. The design involved the complete remodeling of the apartment, including a new open plan kitchen with an island overlooking the living area. The existing building fabric becomes part of the redesigned space in the form of an exposed cast iron column and an uncovered brickwork wall. These simple moves serve as tectonic reminders of the building's history while being juxtaposed with the modern fixtures and finishes that form the rest of the apartment. Natural light is drawn into the hallway by inserting a glass clerestory over a new storage wall. Cabinetry in the living, kitchen and bedroom spaces is built into the walls to maximize storage areas while creating a fully integrated architectural solution throughout the apartment. Artificial lighting is discreetly added through light coves, recessed ceiling fixtures and under cabinet lights. A warm, yet limited palette of materials include American walnut, limestone and bright red full height closet doors - located in the children's bedroom. www.archphoto.com

Fixed or extendible table with aluminium track guide mechanism, top available in glass, wood or in the finest marble finishing; the base is made in a thermo curved multilayer and veneered with canaletto walnut or dark oak. The audacious design of the bases blends with the classicality of glass or marble to uncover a table with an inimitable design. Available in different dimensions and finishing. This item is available with a multitude of options and customization's, please call or e-mail to inquire. Manufactured By Tonin Casa.

Large elegant backyard concrete paver patio photo in Philadelphia with a gazebo and a fire pit

A gentle waterfall drowns out the street noise and is softened by layers of green planted in a round Mexican beach pebble.
This is an example of a contemporary landscaping in San Diego.

The historic restoration of this First Period Ipswich, Massachusetts home (c. 1686) was an eighteen-month project that combined exterior and interior architectural work to preserve and revitalize this beautiful home. Structurally, work included restoring the summer beam, straightening the timber frame, and adding a lean-to section. The living space was expanded with the addition of a spacious gourmet kitchen featuring countertops made of reclaimed barn wood. As is always the case with our historic renovations, we took special care to maintain the beauty and integrity of the historic elements while bringing in the comfort and convenience of modern amenities. We were even able to uncover and restore much of the original fabric of the house (the chimney, fireplaces, paneling, trim, doors, hinges, etc.), which had been hidden for years under a renovation dating back to 1746. Winner, 2012 Mary P. Conley Award for historic home restoration and preservation You can read more about this restoration in the Boston Globe article by Regina Cole, “A First Period home gets a second life.” http://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2013/10/26/couple-rebuild-their-century-home-ipswich/r2yXE5yiKWYcamoFGmKVyL/story.html Photo Credit: Eric Roth

In the well-used adjoining breakfast room, we added an iconic Serena & Lily marble bistro table and Riviera rattan dining chairs. The open-cage, Diego Giacometti-inspired pendant with four elegant, floral blooms in an antique-burnished brass finish pairs well with the pen and ink botanical prints. The sitting room’s crown jewel is the cloverleaf ottoman upholstered in an unexpected woven-zebra velvet. After showing my client the fabric, I learned it was discontinued at the production mill. Not knowing how long it would take the company to find another mill, I suggested reconsidering the choice. But my smitten client was determined to have it - and it was well worth the wait. Four classic club chairs nestle the ottoman inviting family conversation; a special point of interest is that there are no televisions in any of the family living spaces. The “Gem Modern Vine Chandelier” by Hammerton offers an intriguing juxtaposition of organic and geometric design to the vaulted ceiling. The expansive windows were left uncovered to bring in as much natural light as possible while offering a verdant view of the lush backyard.

Inspiration for a large transitional gray two-story mixed siding gable roof remodel in St Louis with a shingle roof

I say it often, but this was one of my favorite projects!! A complete restoration of this turn of the century Victorian. We uncovered tree stumps as footings in the basement. So many amazing surprises on this project including an original stacked brick chimney dating back to 1886! Having known the owner of the property for many years, we talked at length imagining what the spaces would look like after this complete interior reconstruction was complete. It was important to keep the integrity of the building, while giving it a much needed update. We paid special attention to the architectural details on the interior doors, window trim, stair case, lighting, bathrooms and hardwood floors. The result is a stunning space our client loves.... and so do we!