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.

Wrap around porch.
Elegant backyard concrete patio photo in Minneapolis with a fire pit and no cover

This is a huge project with multilevel hardwood decks complete with stainless steel cable railing, hot tub, outdoor heaters, lights and our patented under deck ceiling system. Our system creates a dry usable space under the upper-level deck that allows you to put in heaters, patio furniture and supplies cover for your hot tub sessions.

Archadeck of Austin designed and built a large cathedral roof over the upper deck, just outside the existing covered porch area of the home. We resurfaced the existing porch roof to match the new deck roof using Synergywood® ceiling in Colonial finish. The open gable design is perfect for maximum light entry under the protection of this stunning roof.

Example of a large transitional backyard deck design in Los Angeles with a fire pit and a pergola

Drew Cunningham and Tom Jacques
Example of a large trendy backyard deck design in Ottawa

Inspiration for a traditional outdoor playset in New York.

The original kitchen was an open galley with a wall of cabinets and a small island. It was also open above, under a balcony and bridge that lead to the roof deck. We enclosed the opening in the ceiling above the kitchen to create a home gym on the upper level. The back wall of the new kitchen is a few feet forward of the original wall. The reason for this is that there was an existing beam that dictated an 8-foot ceiling on that end. However, new kitchen ceiling is 9-feet high, which is the maximum height at the front of this floor. This also allowed us to build a pantry behind the new kitchen wall – which works fine with the lower ceiling. To camouflage a duct, we built a tray ceiling around it and fitted it with LED lighting. The cabinets at the top maximize storage and have frosted glass and interior LEDs to keep a light feeling. The kitchen has several layers of lights. Besides the tray ceiling and lighted cabinet interiors, we installed recessed lights and under cabinet lighting, allowing the clients to create a variety of moods. HDBros

Transformation of a sloped backyard into terraced rooms, with focal points defining the use of each terrace: lounge area with firepit/fireplace, hot tub, edible gardening beds, a turfed play area, children's playhouse. Scope of work included new redwood fence, lighting, irrigation.

Designed using Trex Transcend decking in Fire Pit – a spicy red hue that goes well with rustic architecture and design, Trex Transcend decking in Gravel Path – a pristine grey that creates a Cape Cod feel, Trex Reveal railing and Trex Outdoor Lighting – stair riser lights.

Four front porch decks rebuilt across a pair of multi-tenant heritage brick houses in Etobicoke. Two at main floor level at about 150 square feet each, two second floor balconies at about 200 square feet each, all pressure-treated.

Huge coastal brown two-story wood gable roof idea in New York with a metal roof

Notice the deck skirting which improves the decks appearance as well as eliminates rodents from inhabiting underside of deck.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard sunroom remodel with no cover, no fireplace and a standard ceiling

Raised dining deck with driveway beyond. Photo by Clark Dugger
Mid-sized trendy backyard deck photo in Los Angeles with decking and no cover

Photography by Trent Bell
Huge trendy backyard patio photo in Las Vegas with a roof extension

Photography by William Quarles
Beach style deck photo in Charleston with decking and a fireplace

This project included a 12' x 13' upper deck with two steps down to a 12' x 14' lower deck, and a custom built bench and privacy wall. The owners chose Deckorators Vista Dunewood complement by a single-board picture frame border in the Deckorators Vista Ironwood. The 5'-high privacy wall has been painted to match the colors of the house.

Sometimes you seek a beautiful space where you can commune with the outdoors but still feel at home. This Sammamish client has a gorgeous backyard that needed a new deck in order to take full advantage of summer. The space, while beautiful, also required a design that would maintain privacy from nearby neighbors. This deck, complete with a privacy screen was the perfect solution for their family. We love the look that the ipe wood provided!