The Plan

The best plans come about through collaboration, and this project was no exception. Every iteration of the design was weighed against the clients’ goal of entertaining. The final plan features two main areas defined by an upper party deck and a lower chill-out patio.

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Previously, there were steps down from the back-door slider into the yard. The new deck is at the level of the back door, about two feet above the ground. This height gave us the opportunity to include an elevation change to a patio below, with the idea of making the whole space look grander. We think a covered area to cook and eat is a nice feature during Seattle’s rainy football season, and so is a source of heat. The plan takes advantage of a cantilevered element of the house just above the back door by placing a dining table in the sheltered space there. As a complement to the cantilevered feature, a modern overhead shade structure covers the deck’s counters, which hold a built-in grill and an outdoor refrigerator. We knew the TV was important, and we had initially planned to put it under the overhang. By using a weather-proof TV, we were able to move that feature out from under the covered area to a spot where it can be seen from everywhere. Party-goers can now enjoy the game from the hot tub, the fire pit, and the dining table. We placed steps on each side of the hot tub hoping to allow for good circulation throughout. We love that the fire columns, along with the fire pit, provide enough heat to enjoy the outdoor space nearly year-round

Like at any good party, people can be in and move through distinct areas, and still be together. We think all of the design features fit naturally in an attractive outdoor space.

Challenges and Solutions [twenty20 img1=”6286″ img2=”6263″ width=”70%” offset=”0.1″ align=”right”]

This couple lives in a great neighborhood, and it is always important to work well with the homeowners on each side of a project. The existing fencing, shared with the neighbors, was oriented vertically. We dislike vertical fencing in small spaces. To us, vertical lines make an area feel tighter and don’t draw the eye laterally through the space. Many yards we work in are smaller than a client would like, so we try to build horizontal fencing to make the space feel as open as possible. We had to figure out something that worked for everyone. Pretty quickly, we realized that the fence had been installed well enough for us to place horizontal fencing with a modern look on our clients’ side, while leaving the vertical fencing on the neighbor’s side. For us, this fencing style is a big part of the design’s success. And we were able to keep the neighbors happy, too!