Project Spotlight: Tudor Revival

These clients wanted a low maintenance, side-yard entertainment and dining space that would flow from their newly remodeled kitchen and look intentional rather than as an afterthought. Horrible soil conditions, an unfortunate electrical service location and the elevations of the driveway and doors presented many challenges to senior designer Heather Sweeney.

The team combined smart material selections, innovative construction techniques and a stepped design to create a traditional outdoor living environment with a modern touch that is as functional as it is beautiful. Colors and shapes are so well integrated it truly looks like an extension of the house itself.

The landings and stairs flow organically from the patio doors to the lawn below. The mix of materials, angles and shapes blend with strategically placed plantings for privacy and visual balance.

Project Spotlight: Elevated Entertaining

The main level of this home has a beautiful wood-panel pub that led to a deck that was barely big enough for a grill. The clients wanted to open the room to a much more substantial deck to accommodate larger gatherings and integrate the indoor and outdoor living spaces while preserving privacy from the neighbors.

The new space needed to offer relief from evening insects and untimely showers, but also extend the outdoor season and add direct access to the yard. The roof line was low and the side yard setback restrictions dictated that the new structure could not extend beyond the side of the garage.

So, senior designer Heather Sweeney created a complete solution with a tall, mechanically-louvered pergola, disappearing screens, a line-of-sight fireplace wall, glass bifold doors and an open deck that wraps around the back of the house. While it extends the pub’s black and brown tones, the project achieved the clean contemporary look the clients desired.

Project Spotlight: Modern Oasis

These clients desired a more beautiful, functional and low maintenance space for the steep yard between their contemporary, urban home and the creek below. They not only wanted to update the look and feel but they wanted something that would work for entertaining beyond Minnesota’s short pool season. The couple envisioned a contemporary, less curvilinear, more private poolscape that would suit the house and include a water feature and more modern fire pit. Plantings were to be minimal, except for colorful annuals dispersed throughout.

Before and After: An Ordinary Deck Becomes A Cozy Porch

The original deck that the home builder installed felt like a missed opportunity. They insisted the structure should be incorporated into the design and that the new architecture would enhanced their home. It was a shame because they couldn’t escape the dreadful mosquitos and weren’t able to use this space year-round. They wanted a versatile space that they could entertainment year-round, grill, and lounge next to a fireplace.

The clients’ goals are to create a three-season porch that savors the scenic view, enjoy year-round grilling, bug-free space, and either fresh air or cozy fireplace warmth.

Inspiring Before and After Deck Makeover

After enduring the plain deck and patio that the homebuilder installed a decade ago, the family was ready to invest in an outdoor living environment that would reflect the quality of the house. Although attached, the new structure needed to make users feel they were outdoors and extend the season by providing versatile options for lounging, entertainingand enjoying the pool. Mission accomplished. The owners say they spent “about 3000 percent” more time outdoors during its first year.

Design Spotlight: Elevated Elegance

This project completely changed how we spent the summer. We are out there all day long. We eat almost all meals outside: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. We read out there. We will sit out late at night with the screens down and enjoy the 360-degree sounds of the night. What we’ve accomplished is an outdoor area that is every bit as outdoors as it ever was, but it is so much more comfortable. We find that family and friends just want to hang out in this space and my wife and I do as well. We live out there.

Backyard Oasis Inside & Out

The couple loved their backyard pool but hated everything around it. They dreamed of a full-featured oasis where their teenage daughter would choose to hang with friends and they could comfortably relax and entertain while enjoying the gorgeous sunsets from high above the lake. The catch was that the new design had to incorporate the existing deck structure and bulbous concrete pool deck.

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Mom's & Design Build

12275 Weckman Road
Shakopee, MN, 55379
United States

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