Outdoor Living At It's Finest

The back yard patio is the new living room.

Let’s discuss.

If you’ve tried to purchase an outdoor, propane heater, new grill, or even outdoor seating in the past six months, this is not news to you. We’re all doing our best to manage through the pandemic while still enjoying social connections and time with family and friends. The solution that so many of us have adopted is to spend more time outside. There’s a Norwegian saying that says, “there is no bad weather, only bad clothing.” It’s a mantra worth adopting these days. We have a lot of customers who are ready to bundle up and enjoy their back yards as much as they enjoy their living rooms. But these lucky homeowners have had that opportunity for the past six months. Reading any further may make you pretty jealous, but we hope that it inspires you for a future project in your own back yard.

This stately Hyde Park, Cincinnati home was already a real beauty and the homeowners instantly saw its potential. The scope of our project included new paint, a new driveway, an expanded front porch with new front doors and then, the creme de la creme of a backyard, giving this home garage space, privacy, extra parking and outdoor living space—all elements that it had previously been lacking.

Photo: Ross Van PeltArchitect: drawing dept

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

The home received an instant update with a new coat of paint and a new front door. A new, enlarged porch was added that expands the entire front of the house, allowing for two seating areas. New lighting and ceiling fans make it a wonderful place to sit and watch the world go by.

Photo: Ross Van PeltArchitect: drawing dept

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

Of course, the front of the home looks beautiful from a distance, plus, the closer you get, the more stunning it becomes. The stained headboard ceiling adds a gorgeous custom detail. The composite flooring give the space low maintenance durability.

A new poured concrete driveway now extends from the street to the backyard, not only offering additional parking, but also giving an impressive gated access to the backyard. As the gates swing open, you can see an expansive paver patio—beautiful enough for entertaining and durable enough for even more parking, when necessarily. The addition of a two-plus car garage, gives a place to park cars and is large enough to accommodate additional storage.

Photo: Ross Van PeltArchitect: drawing dept

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

The backyard provided a blank slate and the perfect spot for a new two-car garage, a rarity in a community of older homes. In addition to adding more storage and lighting, the new structure gives more privacy from neighbors for the new entertaining and outdoor living space.

Photo: Ross Van PeltArchitect: drawing dept

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

If you were to look up “outdoor oasis” in the dictionary, this picture would surely be right there. What used to be an empty back yard is now a multi-level living area, with easy access to the street, house and garage. But why would you ever leave this cozy little nook. The paver patio includes a grill and refrigerator, plus a gas fire pit. Custom built planters add an extra bit of privacy and some seasonal color.

Photo: Ross Van PeltArchitect: drawing dept

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

The composite deck extends this entertaining space and is maintenance free, to boot. Instead of railings, it includes beautiful built in planters and a built in bench. Take note of the outdoor television. We’re sure this family doesn’t miss going out because they have it all right here.

And you can too. Give us a call to get on our schedule to upgrade your own backyard.