Housetrends October 2013, Columbus: "Family's outdoor entertainment hub is designed for all seasons"

HOUSETRENDS GREATER COLUMBUS

GREATER COLUMBUS | OCTOBER 2013 | VOL. 8, NO. 4| HOUSETRENDS.COM | $4.95

art & entertainment issue NEW ALBANY

Outdoor Retreat Beckons

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landscape trends

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YeaR--RounD RetreaT New Albany outdoor entertainment hub designed for all seasons

By Amy Howell Hirt | Photos by Daniel Feldkamp, Visual Edge Imaging continued >

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landscape TRENDS

When

Jennifer Snook and her husband, Derek, decided to

expand their backyard patio, she promised it would be a worthwhile investment.

Nearly a year later—and with the help of family and friends, she’s had no problem delivering on that promise.

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“We use it year-round, so much more than I even thought we would,” says Jennifer, a self-employed interior designer. “The biggest challenge is getting quickly from the hot tub to the door when there’s snow on the ground.”

Working with Jonathan Spayde, principal of Landfare Ltd., the New Albany couple carefully crafted a 1,500-squarefoot resort-style outdoor entertaining space that’s comfortable for all seasons, and all ages.

Seeking separation and space After moving into the home about three years ago, the couple found the existing covered patio and sundeck area—which connect to the back of the home via sets of French doors—provided a larger entertaining space than indoors. But the patio’s basic set-up, with a few seating pieces arranged on a single level, sometimes felt insufficient, particularly if their children— ages 16, 8 and 4—were hosting friends as well.

“It felt like we had a large space without a purpose,” Jennifer says. “And having this mix of adults, teens and small children running around, we thought it would be better to have several different entertaining areas.”

LEFT: The mantel on the fireplace was salvaged from a 100-year-old barn. TOP RIGHT AND RIGHT: The covered patio encompasses distinct dining and lounging areas. OPENING SPREAD: The chandelier above the dining table is made from reclaimed French oak wine barrel staves and hoops. The coffee table by the fireplace has a durable concrete top and teak base.

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Born from “fire and water”

Comfortable, contemporary continuity

From the start, Jennifer’s vision for the separate covered and open spaces included “fire and water”—perhaps in the form of a fountain and a small fireplace that would bring a purpose and a focal point to the spaces. Through collaborating with Spayde, the scope of these ideas expanded to become the much-needed epicenters of activity and the heart of the outdoor area’s yearround appeal.

The notion of a fountain evolved into a 7-by-8-foot in-ground hot tub—tucked at the back of the wooded property—that seats 10 and converts to a bubbler fountain when not in use. The 18-foot-tall, 4-foot-wide gas-burning fireplace, supplemented with wood, keeps the party going during the winter months and adds ambiance during summer days spent relaxing by the fountain.

Smartly designed as a two-sided fireplace, it also anchors a sitting area, located a level up from the hot tub, that’s outfitted with spacious wicker couches.

Within this laid-back approach, the aim was a look that would be comfortable yet have the crisp style of their white-brick home, which reads as “contemporary” when compared to the red-brick Georgian designs that dominate the Snooks’ country club neighborhood.

As the new space flows down to the fireplace, then the hot tub, Spayde installed pavers that match the existing blue limestone, and painted the fireplace to match the house and the existing brick sitting wall that wraps around the sun deck.

Completing this sleek, sophisticated look, black upholstery, accented with chipper yellow and just a few pops of red, on all the seat cushions, helps visually connect the various spaces.

ABOVE: Limestone pavers provide a cohesive transition between the covered and open sections of the patio. RIGHT: While the front side of the fireplace has a Georgian style that matches the home and neighborhood, the back side is slightly more contemporary, with copperlined candle nooks.

A sense of place To lend indoor warmth to these outdoor spaces, the homeowner carefully curated a collection of elements that are typically associated with interior decor.

White columns paired with elegant black drapery provides visual separation and a sense of place on the covered patio, where the cedar beadboard ceiling is dotted with recessed lights for playing cards or other entertaining after-dark.

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landscape TRENDS

From the start, Jennifer’s vision for the separate covered and open spaces included “fire and water…” continued >

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landscape TRENDS

The covered dining and lounge areas are situated next to each other—just as they might be in an open floor plan— with a chandelier made from reclaimed oak grounding the dining table and a jute rug providing the parameters for a sitting space with a wrought-iron furniture set. There, accessories like potted plants, a wall-mounted flat-screen TV and a custom walnut sideboard create a vignette that would be equally beautiful indoors.

Jennifer created this sense of “rooms” even in spaces that are open to the elements. Partly to meet zoning requirements, the hot tub area is surrounded by a line of evergreens and separated from the house by the massive fireplace and chimney structure. Copper-lined candle nooks provide the finishing “indoor” touch on this side of the fireplace.

Elemental finishes Despite this indoor air, the spaces are designed for outdoor fun, so finishes were selected that would hold up to the elements—including rain, sleet, spills, snow, sun and children.

Resources

Design: Jennifer Snook with Morgan Hartley Design, and Jonathan Spayde with Landfare Ltd.; Hardscape and landscape installation: Jonathan Spayde, Landfare Ltd.; Florals: Brian Coovert Floral Design; Furniture: Restoration Hardware

The furnishings, primarily from Restoration Hardware, are made of durable teak, concrete and wicker wrapped around an aluminum frame. Waterrepellent Sunbrella fabric ensures the upholstery will hold up to stains and the sun, while, according to Spayde, the thermal-finished Pennsylvania blue limestone pavers provide extra traction for wet feet.

As for the more delicate items, the Snooks were able to use a standard flatscreen TV—rather than a pricier model rated for outdoor use—which is covered when it isn’t in use. The dramatic

painting, resting on the exposed fireplace mantel, also is intended for indoor use, but Jenn simply treated it with the waterproofing spray that’s used by mountain climbers to protect their gear. The painting stays outside weathering the rain, snow and sun.

Since completing this outdoor overhaul, the family has frequently enjoyed the fruits of their labor—relaxing on lounge chairs beneath the oversized umbrella, having dinner on the patio and hosting parties.

Now, the only concern is keeping the teens out of the hot tub.

more online:

To see more photos of this home, go to housetrends.com and search “Year-Round Retreat.”

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