OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING

By Daniel Keeley | Photos by Chadwick Turner

Thrill of the Grill: The Setting

When our client purchased this home, it was pretty bare-bones. The covered patio space existed but lacked personality, and the empty yard beyond was nothing but soil. With the aim of providing multiple destinations for relaxing and spending time with family, we set about furnishing the existing patio and developing the adjacent garden. The finished product serves as an effortless extension of the home’s interior and beckons visitors to explore. It is also the perfect venue for our annual Thrill of the Grill soirée!

A coordinated chair and ottoman next to the outdoor fireplace create a cozy nook for reading or unwinding from the stresses of the day.

The round cast stone table pulls double duty. As the anchor of the uncovered patio, it functions like an outdoor foyer table; when it’s time for al fresco meals, additional chairs can be added for dining.

A large, custom fountain provides a powerful focal point that is also highly visible from the home’s interior and fills the garden with the sound of splashing water. Lush plantings surround the fountain, creating an outdoor room, and add intimacy while a simple teak bench offers another spot for relaxing.

Beyond the fountain garden, a multi-purpose lawn area is the perfect place for children to run and play or for hosting larger events. A pair of benches turns an otherwise stark space into yet another destination within the garden.

The covered seating area serves as the primary gathering spot for family and friends. Lounge seating in a mixture of materials, including outdoor upholstery, is covered in fabrics that complement those in the adjacent interior spaces, blending indoors and outdoors.