This paver project transformed an unused space into an intimate backyard nook for outdoor dining and barbecuing. We built the patio and the steps as well as the handrail. When the owners first called they were interested in a deck quote. However, I often start a project asking for a photo. When they texted me…
The owners wanted a deck that created a comfortable flow from their home to their yard. We focused on openness in the design, only using railing on one side to keep the deck fully engaged with the yard. Since the deck height was less than a couple feet from the ground, the railing served more…
This hardwood deck is made up of ipe boards in varying applications to give it a sleek look. The ipe deck is a clean rectangle with horizontal railing slats that allow enough space to view the forest behind. Just beyond the forest are little creeks, small bridges, and an old tree house, making the deck…
This garapa deck takes full advantage of the lovely views. We opened up the kitchen to an inviting outdoor deck space overlooking the salt marsh. Although the deck’s size is modest (perfectly fitting the home and backyard), there were some large obstacles to completing this project, even before we started the construction*. There were moments…
Seasons in New Hampshire pose a challenge for outdoor builders like us, but by planning projects well we don’t have to stop construction. For this ipe deck we installed footings in the fall just before the ground froze. With the footings in place and the materials on site, we were able to return a few…
This deck recover project included a side stairwell, upper deck, and lower pool deck. These three decks needed a face lift, but this project was so much more than just installing new boards. First, we needed to get the structure up to code. We replaced multiple posts and added structural ties throughout the deck. We…
Even a common, ordinary brick… wants to be something more than it is. — Louis Kahn This design didn’t start with bricks. We started with bluestone per the clients’ request. We all agreed that the beauty of bluestone was in the blue tinged greys and natural variations. Bluestone is a word used to describe a…
Low-slope roofs, often referred to by the misnomer “flat roof”, can sometimes be the perfect place to add outdoor living space. In this case, our client’s home had been prepared to receive a roof top deck a couple years prior. The master bedroom already had a sliding door out to the roof of the garage….
When the owners reached out to us they had just installed a brand new pool. They were ready to enjoy the hotter months floating in cool water, but there was still the issue of how to access the pool. The new pool was separated from the old deck by a large grassy area. Once again…
The request was for a new hang-out space… in the front yard! There were some unique challenges to overcome; the space wasn’t square, there is a huge tree nearby, and whatever we built would be right on the property line. We came back with a design for a paver patio, a new stoop, and a…
Sustainability and design were top priorities to the homeowners on this project. They sought an environmentally friendly decking material and decided on black locust. Black locust is a beautiful, fast growing, renewable, and rot resistant tree that reduces the demand for rain forest lumber. We used this hardwood for the deck and cascading stairs. Between…
The challenge here was to integrate an existing deck with a new much larger deck, and accomplish this with a natural and appealing approach to the pool. The new deck needed to be high enough to reach the above ground pool, while integrating the original deck which sat at a lower height. Our design process…