Category Archives: Outdoor Design Ideas

As the leaves drop and a chill enters the air, homeowners are giving their decks and patios an autumnal feel with decorations. Here are some that inspire:

• Planter. Pumpkins and gourds transform a planter. Pottery Barn takes the concept to new heights with its Bicycle Planter.

Image via Pottery Barn

• Wreath. For exterior doors, a wreath in earth tones and spice tones conveys the flavor of fall. The Pumpkin Patch Wreath by Williams-Sonoma is a fine example.

Image via Williams-Sonoma

• Natural. Bales of hay and other beautifully humble natural items make for a warm and friendly outdoor gathering, as this image from Country Living demonstrates.

Image via Country Living

The different seasons and architectural styles in Kansas City facilitate a variety of residential design styles. This diversity is evident in the stylish planters that look great in the City of Fountains.

• Zinc. This stylish grey metal has been seen in French-inspired planters, such as this “Les Bac Á Oranger” from Authentic Provence.

Image via Authentic Provence.

• Wood. The wood-and-iron Versailles Planter from Restoration Hardware is perfect for small shrubs such as boxwood.

Image via Restoration Hardware

• Terracotta. Terracotta pots work well for any home, and there are many distinctive options on the market. For example, Treillage Ltd. has a pot with acanthus leaves.

Image via Treillage.

As autumn and its cool nights approach, it’s a good time to prepare by building outdoor fireplaces and fire pits. Here are some useful tips, exemplified by projects we’ve completed at Outdoor Environments.

• Stone around base. The surface around the base of a fire pit can be made of many materials. Changing the surface material underfoot from wood to stone adds visual interest. You can visually incorporate the fire pit with the rest of the landscape by matching the stone color.

Fire pit byOutdoor Environments

• Thick ledge. During warmer months, when the fire is not in use every night, the thick ledge of a fire pit is a place for a person to sit.

Fire pit by Outdoor Environments

• Seating wall. A seating wall that follows the contours of the fire pit welcomes guests and divides the deck or patio from the rest of the yard. It is a custom touch that adds a sense of permanence and quality to a property.

Fire pit by Outdoor Environments

Fire pit by Outdoor Environments

• Multiple levels. A deck with multiple levels enables the fire pit to have its own zone, which becomes a destination.

Fire pit by Outdoor Environments

Fire pit by outdoor environments.

For Kansas City fire pits, outdoor fireplaces and more: contact Outdoor Environments, a certified contractor in Overland Park. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.

Multi-level decks have practical and aesthetic benefits that make them well-suited for for Kansas and other environs. Here are some of the advantages of multi-level decks:

• Maximize space. Building up adds square footage without taking up more property. At Outdoor Environments, we angle each deck level to take advantage of views and sunlight.

Outdoor Environments

• Protect lower level. The bottom of the top deck serves as a roof for the lower deck, protecting it from rain, snow, and glare.

Outdoor Environments

• Entertaining. Multi-level decks enable guests to travel from one amenity to the other. An evening can consist of bar followed by pool followed by hot tub. These multiple tiers also add architectural interest, especially to exterior walls with few windows.

Outdoor Environments

We love reading about outdoor environments almost as much as we love creating them. Here are some top publications that we look forward to reading every month.

• Kansas City Home & Garden shows a variety of distinctive landscapes.
• Qualified Remodeler gives technical details about industry trends. It has been showing a lot of outdoor kitchens lately (see below), which we enjoy.

Image via Qualified Remodeler

• Architectural Digest shows landscapes next to bold architecture. For example, it had a great article on an East Hampton home by Leroy Street Studio (image below).

Image via Architectural Digest. Photo: Adrian Wilson

• Southern Living brings gracious living to families nationwide.

Image via Southern Living

For lush backyards, porches, and more, contact Outdoor Environments, a certified contractor in Kansas City. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.

Those of us with fond memories of gathering ’round the campfire, roating ‘smores or cooking hot dogs, appreciate the opportunity to pass along the tradition with outdoor fire pits. Here are some looks that inspire:

• Raised stone fire pit. Outdoor Environments designed this fire pit with plenty of space around it for entertaining, including different types of seating. Safety is ensured by lighting and a non-slip, fireproof brick surround on the deck.

Outdoor Environments

• Fire pit table. Better Homes and Gardens featured this combination fire pit, grill, and coffee table from Restoration Hardware.

Image via Better Homes and Gardens

Solus Decor

For distinctive fire pits and more, contact Outdoor Environments, a certified contractor in Kansas City. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.

“As one flame lights another, without loosing its light,

so friendship spreads  friendship”.

Summer is the perfect time to gather outside with friends and family around a fire pit or table. Here are some creative outdoor candles to create atmosphere with ease.

• Restoration Hardware‘s new Mediterranean Coast collection has scents of  cypress, salt air, oak moss, wood, and eucalyptus.

Image via Restoration Hardware

• Anthropologie‘s Porridge Stack Candle has bohemian design and fresh, springy scents. It is made of coconut wax, and has tones of coconut, jasmine, and gardenia.

Image via Anthropologie

• Gump’s Shou Votive Holders Set makes a great hostess gift, and accommodates regular tea lights.

Image via Gump's

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For a pleasant family gathering space, contact Outdoor Environments, a certified contractor in Kansas City. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.

Vertical gardens may seem, at first glance, to be a serendipitous occurence, like ivy making its way up a wall. But, unlike creeping vines, vertical gardens incorporate a variety of plant species without harming mortar and other building materials. The result is one part modern art and one part Alice in Wonderland, as the photos below demonstrate.

• Patrick Blanc is the king of vertical gardening, having designed and implemented installations like this one on the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris. Notable website Inhabitat explains that “the three-part system consists of a PVC layer, felt, and metal frame, providing a soil-free self-supporting system light enough to be hung on the wall.”

Design: Patrick Blanc; Image via inhabitat.com

• Do-it-yourselfers can try an inn0vative succulent garden at home with this kit from Flora Grubb Gardens. It is a 20″x20″ panel, and makes a succulent wall.

Image and kit via Flora Grubb Gardens.

• The green facade on this building was called a “lush living envelope” by Inhabitat. The building, by Samyn and Partners, is in Belgium.

Design: Samyn and Partners; Image via Inhabitat

For a patio or deck to complement your garden, contact Outdoor Environments, a certified contractor in Kansas City. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.

Nothing says fun like the great outdoors. The modern patios and decks below re-interpret outdoor living.

• Dwell Magazine explored this sun-filled contemporary San Diego home, where a modern deck enables indoor-outdoor living. Practical finishes enable this stylish space to be family-friendly as well.

Image via Dwell. Photo: Bryce Duffy

• Wallpaper* Magazine explored a spartan deck with clever holes to accommodate long-standing trees. The architecture is by the notable firm BAK Architects.

Image via Wallpaper*. Photo: Daniela Mac Adden

• This groovy deck, featured in Metropolis Magazine, appears to slope but is actually a flat horizontal plane made up of individual plywood tiles. The homeowner is an executive at Apple and the architect is Thom Faulders.

Image via Metropolis, by Digitized Image Company.

For a well-designed modern or traditional  patio or deck, contact Outdoor Environments, a certified contractor in Kansas City. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.

Here at Outdoor Environments, we are pleased to be charter members of the Kansas City National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) as well as the Home Builder’s Association of Greater Kansas City. NARI is a great organization and we hope you can join us in supporting it. Here are 5 reasons to be a NARI member:

1. Educational Opportunities regarding current developments in the home and remodeling industry in Greater Kansas City.
2. Networking Opportunities to bring members together at social events such as the Parade Awards Ceremonies, Golf Tournament, and Business After Hours.
3. Grassroots Involvement to engage members in their local areas including the HBA’s three Area Councils – Kansas, Missouri North and Missouri South.
4. Industry Information through the monthly Building Business New, the weekly e-newsletter This Week at the HBA, and access to info from (NAHB).
5. So much more! Visit http://www.kchba.org for more information