2020, the year of using every square inch of your home including your outdoor space(s). We’ve seen an uptick in people interested in updating their outdoor space. We love working on outdoor spaces where space deserves the same attention to detail as an indoor room. Functionality is also still key. What are your goals for your outdoor area? Do you want somewhere to sit that is covered, do you want a firepit, or are you after an outdoor living room? We’re sharing some of our favorite outdoor projects over the past few years
Italian Inspired Pergola
Donna Kirsopp worked with the homeowners to create a true indoor-outdoor living situation with the wall of windows and doors and a beautiful pergola. Each little detail adds a layer of design contributing to the Italian feel. The roof of the pergola is made of hand-split cedar shingles. The copper gutters are subtle and the large lanterns complete the look. Brick installed in a decorative patio adds dimension and interest in the cement. It truly is an Italian escape tucked away in a yard here in Kansas City.
Tranquil Backyard Oasis
The homeowners of this Leawood home reached out to us looking for help with a water issue that was causing damage to their home. They met with Troy Stout on our Handyman Services team and shared they’d also like to freshen up their exterior space to create more room for outside entertaining. Troy and our Handyman team worked with them to create a space that became so much more than just a freshened-up space. In fact, it brought home a Gold REMY award for Landscape Design/Outdoor Living.
The new patio is a large tranquil backyard oasis! While there are so many fantastic elements to take in the fourteen-foot-tall custom fireplace may take the win. The curved hearth design softens the angles. Dual cut-outs on both sides provide firewood storage. The brick herringbone inlay along the front provides added design and the precast concrete mantle provides a visual break from the brick while tying into the wall caps.
The TREX pergola perfectly complements the fireplace but also stands out on its own. The dark columns were selected to match the front of the house. The white rafters offset the bronze fixtures and match the existing trim on the home. The pergola columns emphasize the symmetrical design of the fireplace.
Brookside Front Porch
The homeowners of this charming bungalow reached out to us for several remodeling projects, one of which was to update their home’s exterior. It had seen better days. The shingles were old and in disrepair. Much of the wood around the home had rotted. The front porch columns and railings were not only an eyesore but a safety issue as well. The beautiful corbels as well as the soffit and fascia were also rotting. Troy Stout help them put together a plan to address all the exterior issues and help restore this 1920’s home to its former glory.
Our Handyman Services team replaced with Cedar posts. The entire porch railing was removed and replaced. We also added railings on both sides of the steps which required two additional posts. New cedar corbels were installed and we added additional ones for additional support of the new soffit and fascia.
Once all the wood and roof work was completed it was time to give the home a fresh new look. First, we power washed the home’s stucco, trim, windows, and doors. The Schloegel Paint Services team then prepped for paint included scraping the hold paint, caulking holes, and crevices, and finally priming. The entire home then received a fresh coat of paint. The homeowners selected three colors one for the body, another for the trim, and an accent color.
Dream Outdoor Living Room
Megan Bringman and the Schloegel team created this beautiful outdoor living space as part of a large home addition in Brookside. The fireplace in the outdoor living room is two-sided with the other side visible in the hearth room and it is the focal point of the space. The gable porch roof features high ceilings and a fan, the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors even if it’s raining or extremely hot in the summer.
The uncovered portion of the patio houses a large dining table for ten with a large umbrella for shade. There is also a built-in fire pit for cooler nights and of course s’ mores!
Backyard Retreat Made for BBQ
Leslie Hatfield worked with the clients to design this stunning space. The clients live on a beautiful ranch with an existing stone and wood trellis outdoor kitchen area. They wanted to expand upon the kitchen and replace the kidney-shaped pool. The clients are also BBQ extraordinaire and wanted to create a top-notch BBQ area.
The new design needed shade areas, a gathering and entertainment space, cooking stations, and a pool that would not detract from the pond. The new two-story porch with a low covered area became the concept. It features a truss gable design with large tapered columns. Eight-foot-tall chandeliers and gas lantern sconces help illuminate the space.
The outdoor living room is truly a living space of its own with a large two-sided fireplace, bistro lighting, and a comfy sitting area.
As we mentioned the family are BBQ experts and Leslie created an amazing outdoor BBQ area for them which with a restaurant grill insert and a whole hog pit. A true backyard retreat.
This amazing project won a National CotY award in 2018.
Screened-In Porch
Donna Kirsopp worked with these homeowners to create a cozy but beautiful screened-in porch. Rather than just adding a flat roof they took into consideration not only the home’s roof structure but the lot views as well. The home’s lot has a lovely view of the trees.
They created a vaulted screened-in porch with an open-end with Flexi glass panels. The panels help prevent rain and dirt from entering the space. They added a beadboard ceiling, beams a custom dog door, and a very cool Ellington Faraday dual ceiling fan to complete the look. The homeowners now have a space to enjoy being outdoors while keeping the bugs and elements at bay.
Thinking about updating your outdoor space? Give us a call to speak to a Schloegel expert. While it may be too late to get you on the schedule for this summer, it’s a great time to get it ready for next year’s patio season!