Outdoor Environments Blog

With some exceptions, it’s been a pleasant, sunny summer in greater Kansas City. The perfect time for a deck that can be accessed from several different rooms of the home, offering panoramic views. Since our founding, Outdoor Environments has been known for two-level living spaces. Here are some of our best:

• This deck has over three levels, each one offering a different view and opportunity to socialize.

Outdoor Environments

• Landings also offer an opportunity for architectural interest and more quiet conversation zones, as this project by Outdoor Environments demonstrates. It’s really more than just a deck–it’s a lifestyle.

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• A multi-level deck can be incorporated gracefully with existing architecture using good scale, proportion, and complimentary materials.

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For a multi-level deck, contact Outdoor Environments, a certified contractor in Kansas City. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.

Summer has us looking back at one of our favorite projects, which Kansas City Home and Garden profiled in an article. The extensive backyard renovation project was custom designed to increase space and optimize views. The resulting deck included three levels, four staircases, and built-in planters. We appreciated the article and were grateful to the excellent clients for giving us this opportunity.

Image via www.outdoorenvironments.com

The renovated outdoor living area was such a success that friends and family no longer use the front door–they just walk straight to the notable backyard entertaining area.

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

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Image via Outdoor Environments

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

1. You’d like to spend more time outside. A yard doesn’t seem to do much good if it’s unused. A deck or patio can maximize existing space and allow for more cook-outs, games, and outdoor fireplaces.

Completed patio by Outdoor Environments

2. You need more room for guests. A general rule of thumb is that an outdoor seating area should have as many places to sit as your living room. This way, the party can move outside before or after dinner.

3. You are longing for a water element. It’s not always possible to live near a lake or river, but a pool or fountain provides soothing sounds and a spa-like environment.

4. There are no places to lay out. A deck or patio provides room for chaises and makes stay-cations more fun.

5. Maintenance issues. Many homeowners refresh their deck or patio to eliminate damaged wood, cracked concrete, and the like.

Outdoor Environments has been featured in national and local publications including Qualified Remodeler, Today’s Homeowner, Executive Real Estate and Kansas City Homes & Gardens. To learn more, visit www.outdoorenvironments.com

This season, Outdoor Environments looks back at past projects as we progress on current installations. Here are some fun before-and-afters:

• This project, which won an award in 2007, transformed a backyard into a dynamic entertaining and living environment. The deck was expanded and tiered to take full advantage of indoor-outdoor living opportunities.

• This fine home has great space and windows, but needed more established landscaping and outdoor entertaining opportunities. That is where Outdoor Environments‘ custom deck and landscaping made a big difference, winning this project an award in 2006. The stucco pillars blend in well with the home’s architecture.

• A deck is a great way to tie together the levels of a multiple-story home. Also, the screened in balcony is great for all seasons.

Outdoor Environments has been featured in national and local publications including Qualified Remodeler, Today’s Homeowner, Executive Real Estate and Kansas City Homes & Gardens. To learn more, visit www.outdoorenvironments.com

National design magazines have been writing about patios more than ever this spring. It’s easy to see why–patios increase living space and add to a home’s resale value. Let’s take a look at what patio styles are on the newsstands:

• Better Homes and Gardens suggests softening the edges of a patio with a border of flowers. Taller shrubs are suggested for privacy.

Better Homes and Gardens

• House Beautiful shows plush patios that are made into outdoor rooms. The magazine suggests that furniture be not only fashionable but also weather resistant, portable comfortable, and easy to maintain.

House Beautiful (Photo: Trevor Tondro)

• Architectural Digest showed the pool patio of designer Michael Schaible’s Mexican home. The outdoor area is designed to accommodate entertaining and reflect the home’s international style architecture.

Architectural Digest

For a pool patio or deck beautiful enough to be in a magazine, contact Outdoor Environments, a certified contractor in Kansas City. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.

Outdoor Environments has designed and built hundreds of decks and outdoor living projects in the Kansas City area. Here is what makes them distinctive:

• Quality design. Our decks and patios are custom-designed to complement the existing architecture and to make outdoor space more livable.

Outdoor Environments

• Proper budget considerations. Each project is completed on-time, within budget, and in accordance with all codes and guidelines.

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• Superior craftsmanship.  Outdoor Environments was the annual recipient of NARI Awards for Design, Building and Contracting Excellence.

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Outdoor Environments was founded in 1991. We are 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. We have been featured in national and local publications including Qualified Remodeler, Today’s Homeowner, Executive Real Estate and Kansas City Homes & Gardens.

National design magazines have been buzzing about outdoor kitchens this month. And for good reason–outdoor kitchens are more distinctive than ever. Let’s take a look at what outdoor kitchen styles are on the newstands:

• House Beautiful showed this large outdoor kitchen in Nantucket. Natural stone and calm lines help it blend gracefully into the landscape.

House Beautiful shows outdoor kitchen by Kris Horiuchi (Photo: Trevor Tondro)

• Elle Decor covered the creative outdoor kitchens that are seen in the book The New Outdoor Kitchen (Tauton Press).

• Coastal Living wrote about an outdoor kitchen with a deck, which provides both a natural look and slip-resistance.

Coastal Living kitchen shows off decking. (Photo:Brian Vanden Brink)

• Better Homes and Gardens celebrated stacked stone with this homey outdoor kitchen.

Better Homes and Gardens shows built-in entertaining area.

Outdoor Environments is the certified contractor you need for custom outdoor kitchens in Kansas City. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.