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The Bulls couldn’t be happier with their exotic outdoor living space. O’Connell says it is one of his favorite projects, as well as his father’s, who sadly passed away as the construction was coming to completion.
“This is one of the last pools Pat designed before he passed away,” Robert says. “Right after the project was finished, we had a party for my 40th birthday and we dedicated the large rock between the cabanas to Pat.”
“My dad had been doing this so many years, and had always had a desire to create something new and different,” O’Connell says. “The Bull family gave him that opportunity, and I think he succeeded in making it special. It is a lasting testament to the company and legacy he created.”
Fully wired
The outdoor living space and pool are fully automated and operational from the homeowners’ phones. “Pretty much the whole back yard is hooked up on our smart phones,” AnnMarie says with a chuckle. “I’m not the most tech savvy, but my husband actually has it set-up very simply. There’s an iPad set up on a docking station that I can use to turn on all of the pool features including fire bowls, music, waterfalls, and even the spa heater.”
O’Connell explains that the pool has a unique lighting system where every light is individually controlled. “They don’t have to turn on and off at the same time or all be the same color,” O’Connell says. “It took quite a bit of extra effort to set it up this way, but that was what Robert wanted and we were happy to make it happen.”
The couple also created a gazebo a few steps down and off the pool deck to serve as a separate little getaway in the outdoor space. The circular shape of the structure is mimicked in the curved outdoor furniture, and the massive, stone fireplace acts as an anchor for the space. The couple installed shades around the gazebo to block any unwanted sun or wind.
“I love that little spot,” Laura says. “It catches the breeze perfectly.”
A room with a view
Outdoor TVs are “not at all unusual,” says Jay. “We do them more and more. I recommend getting an inexpensive TV in case you have some crazy storms and things get ruined. But the fact that they are under cover usually means people have no issues throughout winter.” These homeowners do, however, bring in their TV around November and bring it out again in spring.
“We watch a lot of sports; Indians games for sure,” says the homeowner. “We also watch movies and the kids are on Netflix, of course. We have a whole outside sound system as well, so sometimes it’s better to listen to music and shut the television down,” he adds.
“The pizza oven reaches about 800 degrees,” says Jay. “It is a concrete igloo under a facade and that creates the temperatures high enough for cooking pizza. You build a fire in the back of the dome and the pizza sits in front,” he explains.
The rest of the outdoor kitchen features granite countertops, a glass tile backsplash, stainless appliances and teak-fronted cabinets with weather-resistant plastic interiors. The Tuscan look matches the interior décor of the home.
Lighting in the pavilion area includes low-voltage fixtures and dimmable recessed fixtures, plus a chandelier and pendants that all provide form plus function. Leather barstools and plush seating, as well as a variety of dining, coffee and end tables, make it easy to enjoy the outdoors without giving up the comforts from inside the home. And then there’s the TV.
Chomping at the bit
The Donatos are excited to reinstate their family movie nights this summer. “From the pool, you can see the TV, so we’ll have movie nights and watch from the pool or the lounge chairs around the fireplace.
“We are chomping at the bit to get out there,” Jackie says. “We couldn’t love the space any more. We got exactly what we wanted.”
The adults tend to congregate around the bar in the kitchen area. “We wanted it to feel like our vacation home, so everything we would have inside, we have outside,” Jackie says of the kitchen that includes an icemaker, cooktop, refrigerator and sink. “The only thing we don’t have is an oven, so we cook everything on the grill, and we’re still considering putting a smoker in.”
“We trusted Jawn immediately,” Jackie explains. “He gave us a sense of comfort, and we loved his ideas.
“We wanted a place we could all be together as a family,” she adds. “Every night from spring until fall, we have dinner outside.”
While spring has been a little cantankerous this year, the Donatos are trying to be patient. “We have heaters under the deck to extend our seasons, and Jawn installed a system, so we can be outside in a rainstorm and not get wet.”
Funyak took a low-maintenance approach, using Trex composite decking with the Trex RainEscape system. “We install the RainEscape while building the deck to give some weather-proofing as the water drains through funnels,” Funyak explains. “It creates a completely dry space underneath, which allowed us to do a tongue and groove, western red cedar on the ceiling of the lower level.” The system also protects the fans, lighting, television and heaters installed on the lower level of the deck.
When Rich and Jackie Donato moved into their custom-built home in 2001, they were a family of two with a back yard that left much to be desired. “When we first bought the lot, it completely dropped off,” Jackie remembers of the spot where her brother built their home. “Fortunately, it settled over the years.”
As the lot settled, so did Rich and Jackie – adding son Richie, who is 15, and daughter Isabella, who is 14. “We’ve had everything in our back yard over the years from a play set to a garden, but we always wanted something more … we just didn’t know if we had the space,” Jackie says.
“We love a pool atmosphere, and we wanted to have a retreat at home.”
Both Richie and Isabella are competitive swimmers, so it made sense that the family started their outdoor renovation by installing their pool two years ago. They wanted to let the pool settle a year, which made for an interesting summer.
Brown back yard
While the family waited for their land to settle, they had to get creative to make the pool functional in a yard of dirt.
The homeowners put brown indoor/outdoor carpeting all over the back yard. “It was really funny, but it worked. It got us through – and allowed us to use the pool that summer. From a distance, it kind of looked like sand,” Jackie says. “People would walk into the back yard with this puzzled look on their face like, ‘Did they haul sand into their back yard?’ It was definitely a summer we won’t forget.”
Jackie says one family member loved the outdoor carpeting—their Golden Retriever—Louie. “He would come out and lay on the carpet and thought he was in the living room.”
After the summer of sand, the Donatos were ready to complete their outdoor oasis. They turned to the creative mind of Jawn Funyak of Funyak Landscapes.
Walls built of Southern buff bench stone, a waterfall made with mossy boulders and weathered sandstone, and a boulder and stone fireplace make a strong statement. The look is softened woods aster, weeping blue atlas, shore juniper, little spire sage, heather, Norway spruce, salvia and phlox.
Design by: Bill Canter and Adam Erbaugh, Townescapes
Fire starter
A new wood-burning fireplace, constructed of limestone, is a prominent feature of the new patio. Surrounded by chaise lounge chairs and curved seating, the fireplace is a work of art.
After an extensive renovation to the interior of their home impacted their existing patio space, one Upper Arlington couple decided that was the catalyst they needed to begin planning a new outdoor haven.
“We had a wonderful patio before, but we had to redesign it due to the new construction,” says the homeowner.
Attention to detail
The porch gets a good workout most of the year. Fully outfitted with a TV, fireplace and outdoor heater, the homeowners can relax outside and take in a breathtaking view throughout the four seasons. Below, a gas fire pit was chosen for convenience. “What makes this home design stand out is the attention to detail, plus the ability of Suncrest Homes master carpenters to handcraft and blend the new with the old,” points out Ruefle. “Gable and porch brackets, as well as handmade radius exterior shutters, are prime examples of this, and interior oak beams and custom trim work made all the difference.”
Extended summer vacation
The covered patio situated off the living room of the house is Gary’s favorite part of the space. An all-weather TV is positioned over the fireplace, which is two-sided and shared with the living room inside.
“The two-sided fireplace has a glass that keeps cold air out of the house,” Costa explains. “There is a little more structural work involved when installing one of these for indoor/outdoor use, but it’s a really cool feature.”
Gary loves that he can cook dinner on the grill while watching TV with his kids. “We can eat dinner outside and then get in the hot tub. Next winter I’m going to install screens or some kind of device that will cut the wind off from the room so it will truly be something we can use all year—even in January.”
Something simple like that can make such a big impact,” Rine says.
It was also important to visually connect the outdoor space to the house, so details like red brick on the grill island and a cap on the fireplace mimic features from the home’s exterior. A reclaimed mantel on the fireplace nods to reclaimed barnwood flooring in the kitchen and mudroom.
While this stage of the yard’s evolution is finally complete, Missy foresees more change in the future.
“We would like to have a bathroom that’s accessible directly from the pool area or maybe add a shower into the existing changing area,” she says, to keep wet feet out of the house. “That will probably be our next project.”
Changing with the times
Even then, the utility of the yard began to fade as the boys, now 13, spent more time on the school football fields and at friends’ country club pools. So about two years ago, the couple gave their yard a makeover that would last for the long haul.
“When you’ve lived somewhere for so long and decide it’s your forever home, you make decisions based on that,” Missy says.
Live, laugh, love
The backyard retreat has been the hub of great fun with family and friends over the years. It holds great appeal to kids of all ages and it’s still a draw to the Hodaks’ children even though they are now young adults. Tammy thinks their outdoor space is great for entertaining intimate gatherings as well as large groups. They never know who’s going to show up, but they love sharing their home.
And Tammy never knows what wild idea Mike will come up with next. One year, after allowing the chlorine to dissipate, Mike stocked the pool with trout (yes, live fish) for a fundraising contest. Families with kids came from all over the neighborhood for a chance to snag the golden trout and win a special prize. Fillet stations were set up for those interested in having the complete real fishing experience; others chose to catch and release. The proceeds went to the Watchful Shepherd organization.
Most tradesmen have little time to create for themselves what they build for their customers. You’ve heard the tale of the shoemaker with the shoeless children right? Well, it took three years of hard work, but Mike Hodak, of Pools and Waterfalls by Mike Hodak, built his family a superb swimming hole.
Many Japanese gardens center on a ceremonial teahouse. The Nowak garden is anchored by a pavilion that evokes that same feeling. The surrounding gardens are layered with shade-loving plants like ferns, hosta and azaleas. Moss grows happily alongside a naturalistic waterfall.
Although this garden seems well established, it hasn’t been here for long. Four years ago, trees carpeted a steep slope leading up to the back door. Terri, the gardener, wanted to transform this wooded back yard incline into useable space.
The first step was to clear away the encroaching forest, saving five of the best trees. Next, Terri arranged to have the concrete patio, steps and walkways poured.
Then the unthinkable happened. Terri and Rick were in a severe motorcycle accident involving a car and a deer. Terri was in the hospital the day the patio was poured—and for over a week after that.
A well-thought out space
The homeowner purchased the property a decade ago. The 25,000 square-foot, four-story home was built in 1999, though the two previous owners never quite finished working on the interior spaces. After the current owner finished the home design to his liking, he turned his attention to the back yard.
He enlisted Ryan Hughes, owner of Ryan Hughes Design/Build in Tampa, to bring his vision to life. Hughes says he approaches every project with the homeowner’s tastes and lifestyle in mind. In this case, the primary criteria in designing the Amarula Sun for the homeowner were to mirror the home’s ornate interior, as well as to incorporate an element of adventure, which mirrors the homeowner’s personality and love of water. From a functionality standpoint, the homeowner also desired a sizable entertainment venue, since he regularly hosts large charitable events and other gatherings, with each area of the space serving a different purpose.
Manufactured stone veneer can be used to enhance just about any part of the home, and builders, designers and homeowners are using it to their advantage.
Outdoor entertainment spaces
“Eldorado Stone is also leading the trend in fashioning opulent outdoor entertainment spaces to serve as the new ‘great room’ of the home,” says Hawfield.
“Homebuilders and designers are incorporating stone and brick veneer to create elegant outdoor living spaces that fuse the look of luxury with the atmosphere of the outdoors, such as pre-designed signature kitchens, handcrafted artisan fire bowls and distinctive outdoor fireplaces.”
In Wieland Builders’ Chatham Cottage, classic navy and white pair in bold geometric prints to infuse the great room, office, porch and master bedroom with a transitional “Hamptons” style.
Navy also finds a home in the inviting sectional on the cathedral-ceilinged porch of the Royal Birkdale by Justin Doyle Homes.
The lanai is home to an outdoor kitchen with an alfresco grill and an outdoor fireplace. Todd chose Jerusalem stone, directly from a quarry in Jerusalem, for the kitchen, the front and back porches, and all of the terraces. The cedar-covered box beam ceiling and comfortable outdoor furniture encourage guests to mingle. A central audio/visual system allows the outdoor television and sound system to be in sync throughout the backyard space.
He specifically points to the outdoor fireplace as one of his favorite elements in the home. The stone used on the fireplace surround is the same stone featured in the foyer.
A natural retreat
Back-to-nature takes on a new meaning in this stunning outdoor living room, surrounded by immaculate landscaping. On cool evenings, Greg and Erica make a fire and sit on the hearth, late into the evening, with a glass of wine. “We love it out here because it’s like having a special room to retreat to,” says the owner. “And, with the wall of privacy that Justin created, we don’t see the neighbors, and they don’t see us.” It would seem that this couple has a “home away from home” right in their own back yard.
Creating privacy
Greg loves the landscaping walls for their privacy, and for the extra seating that they provide. “It’s casual and beautiful, and it feels like we’re sitting in a garden.” A walkway from the patio to the driveway was incorporated in the blueprint; bending and curving naturally to keep the flow seamless. Also strategic, was the accent lighting installed around the fireplace. The owners used low-power LED for cost effectiveness. “We leave them on every night of the year so that when we’re in the house we can still enjoy looking out at everything.”
Located in the rear portion of the yard, is a flagstone, kidney-shaped area that the kids use for playtime. Hidden away in a clearing of trees, the couple refers to this enchanting spot as the Secret Garden. “It was my wife’s idea to create that area for the kids to play, and it’s so pleasant for us to relax there because you feel like you’re out in the woods.”
Functional style
The couple brought in Justin Beall, owner of Beall’s Nursery & Landscaping, to execute the planning and the installation of the new landscape design. “Being a busy family with kids, it was important to design the space with both style and functionality,” says Beall. “Having practical patio space for entertaining, grilling and family functions was a top priority for the homeowners.” Also significant, was to ensure privacy through strategic landscape and plantings. Beall’s design team began well ahead of the installation process, meeting with the homeowners at the site to discuss their wants, needs and a wish list.
Practical and beautiful
Anyone living in a busy neighborhood knows that privacy can be hard to come by when the neighbors are just steps away. Rather than using fencing or landscaping, the owners of this Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania home built a stunning fireplace that resulted in an entirely new outdoor living space—plus some much needed privacy.
A polished design
Being expert landscapers and co-owners of Proturf Landscape, Inc., Harry and Leslie were aware of the latest trends and best plantings needed to surround a pool area. Another resource, Drew Copley, owner of Copley Design Associates, was called upon to design a pool area that was both functional and delightfully gorgeous, with a splash of glittery shine (a request from Leslie). Harry, a golfer, wanted to be able to sit in the spa and watch golf on a huge flat screen TV, in addition to checking out actual golfers’ shots playing the adjoining golf course alongside the pool cage. Harry is also an avid swimmer and therefore wanted a swim lane for laps. He got it, thanks to a 40×8 ½-foot lane in the center of the pool.
With the drainage and poison ivy taken care of, Keith and Joe set their sights on the fun stuff. “Keith and I met weekly to tweak and adjust the plan,” said Joe, who added, “We set a budget and we went a bit over but we were always informed by Keith. Once we had the architectural blueprints approved by the city and Ohio Valley Group started to build it, you think ‘I wouldn’t mind trying this or that.’ The patio by the fireplace is about twice the size originally planned. When they laid it out, we saw we needed to add on.”
Written by: Lauri Gross/Photos by: Hal Stata, except where noted
If you don’t think the construction phase of any remodeling job is as fun as the finished product, you don’t know Jack. Jack Cipolletti, that is. Four years old when the back yard of his family’s new home was under construction, Jack loved to spend his evenings sitting on, and pretending to drive, the backhoe left there by the crew. Although he probably misses the backhoe, Jack loves his finished back yard, and now, finally, the whole family enjoys it right along with him. Jack’s parents, Joe and Robyn bought their Hudson home in April 2015, had work done on the inside until they moved in, in June 2015, and then began an overhaul of the front landscaping that lasted through the summer, just before twins Nathan and Vincent joined the family.
In 2015, Elliott and Virginia added an outdoor kitchen to the covered patio. Complete with granite countertops, a gas grill with a matching exhaust hood and a sink, the cooking area is perfect for the family when they are entertaining outdoors. The house is also fully automated with smart home technology, which allows the couple to monitor everything from lighting and air conditioning to the audio/video equipment via their smartphones or tablets.
The French doors allow the homeowners to relax on the covered patio and enjoy the views both inside and outside.
The design of the fireplace was especially important to the homeowners. They turned to Snyder Brick & Block to purchase the stone for the fireplace surround. They selected Dimensional Ledgestone in Copper to complement the 60-inch linear gas fireplace. The fireplace was then topped with Brazilian Ipe to complete the dramatic focal element.
Fire and water are brought together in this Dayton, Ohio home. The large fire pit sits in front of a contemporary water feature and stone wall that provide privacy from the golf course beyond the property. Large underlit travertine pavers were used to create the staircase leading from the covered porch area down to the fire pit.
Resources:
Landscape design and installation: Paver Planet
From the time he was young, Mike had a goal. Like many boys, he wanted to be a professional athlete some day, and like so few, he actually became one, even if he did take the long route. For Mike, success was not overnight. In fact, he spent years bouncing from one team to another, facing tryouts, cuts and little recognition. This meant a lot of sacrifice and moving around for the family. All the while, Koren was by his side. “I remember when we lived in other cities, we would drive around and look at homes. I would see these nice houses and think, ‘I wonder who lives there. I wonder what they do,’” Koren recalls.
The fourth element, fire, is represented by the outdoor wood-burning fireplace, which helps to make the space one that can be enjoyed three seasons of the year.
“We replaced the lawn in 1990 and ripped up the horrible honeysuckle and some locust trees,” says Sukey. “We didn’t do anything else until about 16 years ago when Bo announced he wanted a fireplace in the back yard. Keep in mind that while fireplaces are more common now, they sure weren’t back then.”
The 11-foot-tall wood-burning stone fireplace that the Browns had built, and the surrounding patio space, was soon accented with lattice fencing to create a splendid sitting area. The Browns started adding some trees and plants around the back yard.
A cluster of seats surrounds the sandstone fireplace in this Cleveland back yard, beckoning family and friends to come and relax. Those mingling on the uncovered terrace, perhaps enjoying a casual outdoor meal, are treated to the merged view of the spa and fireplace, a design feat that visually connects the two elements of fire and water. The rest of the back yard is devoted to a patio and walking path flanked by a variety of lush plants.
Landscape design: Exscape Designs; Landscape architect: Julie Hensley, Landscape Architect, LLC (Charleston, SC); General contractor: Mike Crow, KNH Construction, LLC; Stone supplier: Van Ness Stone; Landscape material supplier: Chagrin Valley Nurseries; Spa contractor: Highland Construction
A fireplace constructed of matching Indiana Creek sandstone looms in the space adjacent to the spa, where seating is available on a loveseat, individual chairs, and on the low stone walls that flank the fireplace. In the nearby landscaped areas, lavender twist redbuds, and weeping cherry trees ensure a colorful springtime display. Built-in speakers make it easy to bring music to the space. A hand-hewn beam serves as the mantle, and custom shoulders and a capstone of buff sandstone complete the wow-factor. The fireplace area is Joe’s favorite.
All these groups working together became a fluid project team in a non-traditional partnership of professionals with the shared goal of executing the homeowners’ wishes. “For Barb and Joe, it was important to assemble a team they could trust,” said Bill. “I respected their approach of interviewing companies and putting the team together while they weren’t in town.”
During the renovation, Barb and Joe lived in Tennessee for part of the time, spent time in South Carolina, and also time in a Cleveland-area rental before moving in to their finished Cleveland Heights home.
“It is so much easier to work with clients who trust you and leave it to you to make decisions when they are not able. But Barb and Joe were also really great at making decisions when they could, and everything came together,” said Bill.
Alan himself designed the contemporary pool and attached hot tub, installed by Outback Pools in Dunedin. The hot tub is underroof so that the Tripps and their guests can relax and watch television simultaneously.
These versatile spaces provide fireside dining alfresco on one side, and sheltered fireside conversation seating on the other.
As night falls, a tapestry of lights skillfully illuminates the different patio areas. From underwater to canopy to foundation illumination, and a host of other types of lighting, everything is lit in different ways. “The lighting was extensive, and Landfare did a fantastic job,” George says.
The covered outdoor living room offers shade on hot summer days and a fireplace to take the chill out of the air on cool nights.
Watch the evening roll in out on the covered porch while lounging on the cushioned outdoor furniture. Night air getting a little chilly? Simply start a fire in the outdoor fireplace.
Traditional stone buildings in Tuscany were constructed over centuries with many different kinds of stone, which gave the façade a patchwork look. Rhoads recreated the effect seamlessly in Mark and Leslie’s project.
Another traditional building practice in Tuscany is the repurposing of old materials from crumbling structures. Rhoads used timbers and metal siding from an old barn to construct the pitched ceiling of Mark and Leslie’s covered porch. Leslie loves this area with its comfortable furniture, television and fireplace. “We use it all the time.”
Much planning and collaboration preceded the actual construction of the house and subsequent landscape design, but with the help of Jeff Costa, operating manager of Costa Homebuilders, the multifaceted project began. “It’s a special experience and very gratifying to help clients achieve the experience they are looking for in their home,” says Costa. “With 10 acres of ground, there was plenty of room for an estate home, a swimming pool, and picturesque land to create their own family park.”
Both the fireplace and elaborate railing were constructed from limestone out of Indiana. Keeping in beat with the natural surroundings, everything rests on a raised aggregate concrete floor.
That has all changed thanks to an astounding transformation. The existing pool and spa were refurbished, along with an old, outdated fireplace. Osborne suggested carrying the same travertine found inside, outside. A gazebo now houses an outdoor living room, accentuated with glazed stucco walls and comfortable Woodard Landgrave furniture.
Beautiful and functional, the custom-made pergola provides cover from the weather and allows for entertaining and grilling year round. During the winter of 2010, the Hendersons hosted their children’s friends and their parents for a blizzard barbeque. After they all went sledding, Jay grilled hamburgers and served hot cider while the group warmed by the outdoor fire pit.
Jay teased that if the covered pergola could withstand that thirty inch plus snow load, it confirmed that he hired the right company to build it. Jawn Funyak, of Funyak Lawn and Landscape designed the entire outdoor space—built and installed most of it with his own crews—from the stone work to the lighted custom liquor cabinet. Funyak modestly said that the Hendersons had a good idea of what they wanted; he just actively listened to provide it to them.
The back yard is popular spot in the summer. The homeowners have hosted several small and large gatherings, including a 20th birthday party for their daughter. They rented a giant movie screen, which could be viewed from both sides.
The central location of the kitchen affords a good view of all the other recreational activities going on around the two-tiered, cut bluestone patio. The patio, at 1,500 square feet, is perfect for a crowd by allowing for separate gathering areas without feeling like you’re bumping into each other.
The focal point of the handsome “living room” area is a grand and statuesque, custom cast fireplace, which was handcrafted by Stephen Palsa of Ornamental Concrete Concepts. Palsa also cast the balustrades that make up the railing around the patio from ones that were original to the Hendersons’ home. It’s only one of the many details that were paid attention to in Funyak’s design that make the patio blend so beautifully with the character of the home.
“I also really wanted a TV,” Debbie says, “We thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be fun to sit outside with a nice fire and watch a movie with the kids?’”
It turns out, they were right. The Kalinosky family couldn’t love their outdoor oasis more. And Debbie admits that the adults and children have to take turns using the space. “When the weather is nice, the space is always in demand.”