New This Week: 3 Outdoor Fireplaces to Warm Your Heart and Soul
As temperatures dip, a glowing hearth can keep your outdoor areas lively in the weeks to come
In many places, fall is the best season to enjoy outdoor areas — not too cold, not too hot. But when the sun goes down, a little extra warmth is very welcomed. And nothing can beat the heat and ambience of an outdoor fireplace. These three modern outdoor spaces show you how to get your flame on.
2. Peak Performance
Designer: Amy Conner-Murphy of ACM Design
Location: Waynesville, North Carolina
Size: 275 square feet (25.5 square meters)
Homeowners’ request: Covered outdoor space with mountain views and a cozy fireplace for gathering during the evenings with friends and family.
Fireplace: Mix of local stone laid in a spare form to “exude rustic modern style,” designer Amy Conner-Murphy says. “The fireplace needed to support the spectacular view during the day and early-evening hours, but substantial enough to command the ‘room’ as the sunset disappeared into darkness.”
Other special features: Heavy timber framing around the outdoor space. Stainless steel cable railing system with wood handrail. The railing allows views through to the mountains and forest.
Designer secret: “Rather than using traditional wood decking for the floor, we used an Italian porcelain tile in the shape of wood planks,” Conner-Murphy says. “This offers a more finished look, easy maintenance and heat absorption from the sun for lazy barefoot afternoons.”
“Uh-oh” moment: “The real challenge of this space was how to light it once the sunset faded so that it felt like another room of the home, rather than just a porch,” she says. “Well-placed recessed can lighting provides just enough overall light, and the decorative sconces add interest, but neither would be complete without the control of dimmers to set just the right mood for any occasion.”
Also on the team: Chris Brock of Brock Builders (construction); Eric McDonald of McDonald Structural Engineering; John Motes of Stone Connection; Kevin Meechan of Meechan Architectural Photography
Furniture: Crate & Barrel; sconces: Restoration Hardware
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Designer: Amy Conner-Murphy of ACM Design
Location: Waynesville, North Carolina
Size: 275 square feet (25.5 square meters)
Homeowners’ request: Covered outdoor space with mountain views and a cozy fireplace for gathering during the evenings with friends and family.
Fireplace: Mix of local stone laid in a spare form to “exude rustic modern style,” designer Amy Conner-Murphy says. “The fireplace needed to support the spectacular view during the day and early-evening hours, but substantial enough to command the ‘room’ as the sunset disappeared into darkness.”
Other special features: Heavy timber framing around the outdoor space. Stainless steel cable railing system with wood handrail. The railing allows views through to the mountains and forest.
Designer secret: “Rather than using traditional wood decking for the floor, we used an Italian porcelain tile in the shape of wood planks,” Conner-Murphy says. “This offers a more finished look, easy maintenance and heat absorption from the sun for lazy barefoot afternoons.”
“Uh-oh” moment: “The real challenge of this space was how to light it once the sunset faded so that it felt like another room of the home, rather than just a porch,” she says. “Well-placed recessed can lighting provides just enough overall light, and the decorative sconces add interest, but neither would be complete without the control of dimmers to set just the right mood for any occasion.”
Also on the team: Chris Brock of Brock Builders (construction); Eric McDonald of McDonald Structural Engineering; John Motes of Stone Connection; Kevin Meechan of Meechan Architectural Photography
Furniture: Crate & Barrel; sconces: Restoration Hardware
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3. Kid ’N Play
Designer: Pierson Conklin of Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design
Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon
Size: 225 square feet (20.9 square meters)
Homeowners’ request: Enhanced outdoor living area for young and old to enjoy.
Fireplace: Natural stone with soft edges to fit into the natural woodsy setting.
Other special features: Fire pit with rounded seat walls. Semi in-ground spa with deck for socializing. Swing set area and playhouse for kids. Boulder steps with river-rock trim.
Designer: Pierson Conklin of Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design
Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon
Size: 225 square feet (20.9 square meters)
Homeowners’ request: Enhanced outdoor living area for young and old to enjoy.
Fireplace: Natural stone with soft edges to fit into the natural woodsy setting.
Other special features: Fire pit with rounded seat walls. Semi in-ground spa with deck for socializing. Swing set area and playhouse for kids. Boulder steps with river-rock trim.
Why the design works: “It fits into the natural foliage and surrounding nature elements,” designer Pierson Conklin says. “Although the property had many levels to manage, it was done with pathways and boulder steps leading to the different places of interest. The different retreat areas are specific but may be enjoyed by all ages. If a large group had mixed ages, it could accommodate all their choices simultaneously.”
Designer secret: “The biggest decision was to work with the property levels and build in the pathways and boulder steps throughout the design plan,” Conklin says. “They add so much to the design.”
“Uh-oh” moment: “Once construction digging was started, a large underground tank was discovered that could not be moved,” he says. “The decision to add the deck above the spa was made, and it was very successful.”
Also on the team: Bill Burk (photography)
See more of this outdoor project
More
How to Make a Stacked Stone Fire Pit
How to Remodel Your Fireplace
Designer secret: “The biggest decision was to work with the property levels and build in the pathways and boulder steps throughout the design plan,” Conklin says. “They add so much to the design.”
“Uh-oh” moment: “Once construction digging was started, a large underground tank was discovered that could not be moved,” he says. “The decision to add the deck above the spa was made, and it was very successful.”
Also on the team: Bill Burk (photography)
See more of this outdoor project
More
How to Make a Stacked Stone Fire Pit
How to Remodel Your Fireplace
Designers: Janene Bourgerie Cayton of Cayton Design Studio and Steve Sutherland of SSA Landscape Architects
Location: Seacliff beach, California
Size: 456 square feet (42.3 square meters); 19 by 24 feet (5.7 by 7.3 meters)
Homeowners’ request: A modern outdoor living, cooking and dining space fit for entertaining.
Fireplace: Custom masonry yellow firebrick firebox surrounded by smooth, hand-troweled plaster and a cantilevered hearth. “We wanted a low, long fireplace to create a feeling of a bigger outdoor space with a modern look,” designer Janene Bourgerie says. “It also provides a focal point for the outdoor room as well as one from the inside kitchen, dining or living room.”
Other special features: Cedar plank walls with translucent light panels. Concrete floors. Grill area. Dining table with granite top. Natural cedar cabinets with Gascogne Blue limestone countertops and backsplash.
Designer secret: “Clean lines and a minimalist approach using horizontal lines and proportions can make an area feel more spacious,” Bourgerie says. “Also, keep it simple and use select materials and finishes and carry them throughout, and bring in color and texture through plant material.”
Also on the team: Schnaible Construction; RR Jones Photography
See more of this outdoor project and home