Backyard living spaces

Imagine if the inside of your house was one big room without walls. The kitchen, the living room, the dining room, the bedrooms, and even the bathroom would all be combined, and each would be completely visible from all the others. Doesn’t make much sense, does it? Sure, maybe it’s no big deal to have a combination kitchen and family room; but a combination bathroom and dining room? I don’t think so.

Rooms are important. They section off your house into different areas—some that are meant as gathering places, like living rooms and family rooms; and others that are meant to be more private, like bedrooms and bathrooms. Our rooms add variety to our indoor living experience, and each serves an important role in everyday life.

Photos Courtesy of Aqua Pools, Inc.	Photo Courtesy of Affordable Decks and Additions

Now that summer is upon us, we’ll be spending a lot of time outside enjoying the fresh air and warm sunshine. But what many people fail to realize is that “rooms” are just as important for your outdoor space as they are indoors. Separating your outdoor space into different “rooms” or sections enables you to create an entirely new living space to complement the interior of your home. Think about it. Inside your home you have certain areas where you eat, sleep, play, and relax. Creating the same types of “rooms” for your outdoor space allows you to take full advantage of your yard and all it has to offer.

Fortunately, here in our region we have some of the finest outdoor living specialists around, and each offers a particular area of expertise to help you play, relax, and live better.

You remember when you were little and your parents asked you, “Why don’t you go outside and play?” Sure, they may have just been trying to get you out of their hair for a little while, but it was still some great advice. After all, what’s better than being outside and enjoying some recreation time with friends and family?

Think of your play areas as your first outdoor “rooms.” Sure, you can just plop a swimming pool right in the middle of your backyard without much thought. But with a little planning and imagination, you can create a fun, aesthetically pleasing, safe swimming area that you and your family will enjoy for years to come.

Just ask Randy Kolson, owner of Aqua Pools, Inc.—Pittsburgh’s oldest and most experienced builders of premier quality custom-designed swimming pools. When it comes to this particular outdoor “room,” nobody knows more than

Aqua Pools. What could be more luxurious that a crystal-clear, sapphire-blue swimming pool on a steamy Pittsburgh summer day? “We can help you get the most enjoyment out of your pool,” says Kolson. “You can count on it.”

If you have kids, it’s also important to set aside an area of your yard to serve as the outdoor “playroom.” This is just a special section in your yard where the little ones can run around, toss the Frisbee, or kick around the soccer ball. As with the pool area, what you need here is a really good “wall” to keep your kids safe and the balls from ruining your hydrangeas. Again, a good sturdy fence is your best bet here. It can help by creating a defined border for the play area that keeps balls from rolling into gardens or out into the street. Check with your local fence expert for the type of fence system that works best for your yard.

You definitely want a place outside where the kids can run around or swim and burn off some of that youthful energy. But at the same time, it’s important to reserve a special outdoor “room” for yourself as well—a place where you can go to escape and forget about the stresses of your daily life.

Mediation areas are a wonderful way to enjoy outdoor living in a more peaceful, healthy way. What could be more relaxing than a tranquil garden with a beautiful crushed stone pathway leading to the calming waters of a secret fountain? In these types of outdoor “rooms,” you’ll not only want to consider what type of “walls” you want for privacy, but also what type of “floor” you want, i.e., crushed stone, grass, sand, etc. You may also consider adding a “ceiling” by incorporating a vine-covered arbor or a charming pergola.

Once the site of a cracked and leaking swimming pool, Blackwood & Associates, Inc. completely transformed this Greensburg backyard into a Mediterranean inspired courtyard that is perfect for outdoor living and entertaining. Featuring a custom built barbecue, outdoor speakers, and the soothing sounds of an antique wall fountain, this courtyard truly blurs the line between indoors and out, transporting our clients to their very own private resort every time they step outside.

An antique copper boiler serves as a unique planter for annual flowers, while the homeowners’ antique chair adds color and shape to this grouping. The combination of different containers, different flowers and different heights creates an interesting focal point and welcomes guests to a side entrance. Courtesy of Blackwood & Associates, Inc.

Blackwood & Associates Inc. of Pittsburgh can help you create an outdoor area that you’ll enjoy for years. For more than three decades, they’ve been creating beautiful and unique homes, gardens, interiors and outdoor living environments for some of the region’s most discriminating home and business owners. “We do everything from design to consulting to construction,” says owner Pete Blackwood. “Our experts can work with you to create a relaxing space that complements the rest of your yard, and gives you a unique place to get away from it all.” Blackwood & Associates also offers a number of other professional products and services from driveways to walkways, to pool houses and gazebos, to fire pits and natural stone steps, and so much more.

Of course, your backyard doesn’t just have to be a place for play or mediation; it can also be a wonderful place to cook, eat, and entertain. From dazzling decks to functional outdoor furniture to one-of-a-kind kitchen areas, there’s so much you can do to make outdoor living just as comfortable and stylish as being indoors.

Decks, patios and screened porches are all wonderful ways for you to enjoy the healthy benefits of the outdoors. A stylish, well-built deck cannot only provide a safe “room” for you to dine and relax with friends, but it can also add value to your home. A beautiful patio can create a dry, solid foundation for your outdoor furniture and can also serve as your outdoor living or dining room. Screened porches give you the benefit of being outside, while at the same time keeping you safe from those pesky outdoor insects and pests.

Affordable Decks & Additions is one of the Pittsburgh region’s premier builders of quality decks and enclosures. Using their Ultrawood brand of materials, Affordable Decks & Additions can create a deck or deck enclosure that adds both beauty and value to your home. “Our custom built enclosures are designed to complement the unique characteristics of your home,” says owner Jeff Valperga. “We use only premium-grade wood with shingled roof systems, and we can even incorporate skylights, ceiling fans, and inlaid pine or cedar if you choose. We’ll work with you to create a one-of-a-kind outdoor living space.”

Today, outdoor kitchens are all the rage. And thanks to modern advances, these wonderful spaces, which used to only be found in warmer climes, are now becoming commonplace right here in Western Pa. Awesome grills and stunning fireplaces enable you to create an outdoor cooking space that will be the envy of all your neighbors.

Photos Courtesy of Don’s Appliances

Just ask Matt Hillebrand of Don’s Appliance. “Nothing enhances your outdoor living like a custom-built and designed outdoor kitchen,” says Hillebrand. “And nobody can do it better than we can. We’ll help you build the outdoor cooking area of your dreams and one that will blend perfectly with your existing landscape.” They really do it all. Since 1971, Don’s has been providing brands and products for every budget, from everyday practical to ultimate luxury. And when you’re considering appliances for your outdoor cooking area, they can help you make the choices that are right for you. “We carry specialty products for the more high-end installations,” says Hillebrand. “But we also offer major brands at very affordable prices. We’ll work closely with you to make sure we understand your vision, and then we’ll do what we can to make it happen.”

Italian Volcanic Stone Countertops. Photos Courtesy of Molto Bella Ceramica

If you want to add some beautiful artistic touches to your outdoor kitchen or patio area, Molto Bella Ceramica can help. Molta Bella offers the finest in Italian ceramics, with beautiful, hand-painted ceramic pieces directly from the artisan's workbench. “We get all of our ceramics from renowned pottery producing areas in Italy like Deruta and Tuscany,” says Susan and Michael Bonidie co- owners who are sister and brother. “We offer stylish dinnerware, home decor items, and even volcanic stone tables that can enhance the beauty of your outdoor space.” Molto Bella offers a gorgeous selection of volcanic stone tables and tailor-made countertops available for a modern, classic or custom decor. Their tables can be used indoors or out, year round. The tables and custom cut countertops are carved from a solid piece of volcanic rock, quarried outside of Rome in Italy. Each table and countertop is carved from a solid piece of volcanic rock and quarried just outside of Rome, and each is individually painted, glazed, and kiln-fired.

Above Photos Courtesy of Allgreen, Inc.

If you’re looking to add a little heat to your backyard, try a beautiful fireplace or barbecue from the professionals at Allgreen, Inc. They have everything from blocks to pavers to custom wall treatments to help turn your backyard into a special “room” that you can enjoy year-round. “When people visit our showroom, they’re amazed at all we have to offer,” says owner Hap Evans. “In addition to some really spectacular fireplace and grill installations, we have a variety of patio and walkway designs, wall installations, and even several gazebos. We can really help you get some great ideas.” Allgreen even offers various seminars on installation, if you’re a D.I.Y. type of person.

Photos Courtesy of Eisler Landscapes

Of course, if you’re looking for a company to pull it all together with professional landscape design services, you can’t do much better than Eisler Landscapes. Eisler is one of the region’s most respected high-end designers, providing full-service landscaping to Pittsburgh’s more discriminating homeowners and companies. With their top-quality landscaping and construction, Eisler can help you tie all your outdoor “rooms” together. “We pay great attention to detail,” says President Eric French. “We take great pride in our work, and we listen to you closely so that we can take your vision and make it a reality.”

Gone are the days of the simple, uncoordinated, uninspired backyard. Today, people are spending more and more time outdoors, and they want to do it both in style and in comfort. Fortunately for us Pittsburghers, we have these talented, highly skilled and respected experts to help us create all kinds of outdoor “rooms.” Take advantage of what these professionals have to offer, and let them enhance the quality of your outdoor life today and for years to come.