Elevated spa cascading into pool provides the acoustics of a water feature and the stunning views from the highpoint on the property overlooking the lake below. Photo by Rachel Paul Malkowski

photo by Seed Studio, editing by TR PhotoStudio

photo by Seed Studio, editing by TR PhotoStudio

Seating area with modern gas fire feature. Surrounding walls of glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) with integrated custom aluminum lighting. Furniture and fire feature by Restoration Hardware. Photo by Vania Hardtle

A two-level pergola, circular firepit area and outdoor kitchen with a charcoal-gas combo grill star in this Houston patio addition designed for entertaining large crowds in style. "The client was an attorney with a passion for cooking and entertaining," says the project's principal designer, Lisha Maxey of LGH Designs. "Her main objective with this space was to create a large area for 10 to 20 guests, including seating and the prep and cooking of meals." Located in the backyard of the client's home in Spring, TX, this beautiful outdoor living and entertaining space includes a 28-by-12-foot patio with Fantastico silver travertine tile flooring, arranged in a Versailles pattern. The walkway is Oklahoma wister flagstone. Providing filtered shade for the patio is a two-level pergola of treated pine stained honey gold. The larger, higher tier is about 18 by 10 feet; the smaller, lower tier is about 10 feet square. "We covered the entire pergola with Lexan - a high-quality, clear acrylic sheet that provides protection from the sun, heat and rain," says Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. Beneath the lower tier of the pergola sits an L-shaped, 12-by-9-foot outdoor kitchen island faced with Carmel Country ledgestone. The island houses a Fire Magic® combination charcoal-gas grill and lowered power burner, a Pacific Living countertop pizza oven and a stainless steel RCS trash drawer and sink. The countertops and raised bar are Fantastico silver travertine (18-square-inch tiles) and the backsplash is real quartz. "The most unique design item of this kitchen area is the hexagon/circular table we added to the end of the long bar," says Lisha. This enabled the client to add seating for her dining guests." Under the higher, larger tier of the pergola is a seating area, made up of a coffee table and espresso-colored rattan sofa and club chairs with spring-green-and-white cushions. "Lighting also plays an important role in this space, since the client often entertains in the evening," says Wayne. Enter the chandelier over the patio seating arrangement and - over the outdoor kitchen - pendant lamps and an industrial-modern ceiling fan with a light fixture in the center. "It's important to layer your lighting for ambiance, security and safety - from an all-over ambient light that fills the space to under-the-counter task lighting for food prep and cooking to path and retaining wall lighting." Off the patio is a transition area of crushed granite and floating flagstone pavers, leading to a circular firepit area of stamped concrete. At the center of this circle is the standalone firepit, framed at the back by a curved stone bench. The walls of the bench and column bases for the pergola, by the way, are the same ledgestone as the kitchen island. The top slab on the bench is a hearth piece of manmade stone. "I think the finish materials blend with the home really well," says Wayne. "We met her objectives of being able to entertain with 10 to 12 to 20 people at one time and being able to cook with charcoal and gas separately in one unit. And of course, the project was on time, on budget." "It is truly a paradise," says client Carvanna Cloud in her Houzz review of the project. "They listened to my vision and incorporated their expertise to create an outdoor living space just perfect for me and my family!"

Ipe Wood Built in seating and Decking with Gas Fire Pit

A built in BBQ with granite countertop and stone surround under a trellis with LED lighting and overhead heaters allow this space to be used year-round David Cho Photography www.DavidChoPhotography.com

For the patio spaces, we coordinated the color palette and fabric patterns with the interior spaces. In the pack patio, Asian garden stools were used instead of side tables. A very clean and simple concrete fire pit bowl sits in the center of the patio, perfect for summer nights. The fire pit can be easily moved to the side when room for a dance floor is needed. Lots of potted plants in over scaled ceramic containers surround the area and help to further define the space. On the front porch, sit director’s chairs with white canvas seats. A black ceramic garden stool acts as the side table and yellow and white outdoor fabric pillows brighten the space and welcome guests. Photography by Erika Bierman

For the patio spaces, we coordinated the color palette and fabric patterns with the interior spaces. In the pack patio, Asian garden stools were used instead of side tables. A very clean and simple concrete fire pit bowl sits in the center of the patio, perfect for summer nights. The fire pit can be easily moved to the side when room for a dance floor is needed. Lots of potted plants in over scaled ceramic containers surround the area and help to further define the space. On the front porch, sit director’s chairs with white canvas seats. A black ceramic garden stool acts as the side table and yellow and white outdoor fabric pillows brighten the space and welcome guests. Photography by Erika Bierman

Le Bijou

We expanded the existing bluestone patio, moved the outdoor kitchen and added a pool in the existing lawn.

Foundation Design