From Builder’s-Grade to Custom-Made

If you love entertaining and hosting friends and family, you’ll definitely want to take a look at September’s project spotlight! In this blog, we’re showing you how we transformed a builder’s-grade backyard into a stunning, year-round entertainment space.

Like many new builds, this Olathe property came with a covered deck. While this setup is a great starting point for an outdoor living area, it can feel a bit bare-bones on its own. Enlivening the space with a few hardscaping elements and beautiful finishes was all it took to make this backyard a standout feature of the home.

The makeover began with a consultation. Our designer Nick Knight met with the clients to put together a custom proposal that aligned with their vision and budget. He prepared this 3D rendering to help them visualize the new layout of their yard.

With the design and material selections finalized, the crew jumped into action. First, they removed and relocated the deck stairs to make room for the patio base.

In order to maximize longevity, we pour 4” thick concrete slab foundations beneath our paver patios. This enables us to provide a 5-year warranty on all paver projects. Once the concrete had set, the crew began constructing the pergola, outdoor kitchen, and seating bench using Weston Wall blocks in the Black Diamond blend.

With the elements in place, a paver overlay was added to the concrete. The homeowners selected Unilock’s Beacon Hill pavers in Bavarian Blend. The contrasting Holland Stone border ties in the dark tones of the Weston Wall blocks, unifying the design.

Now for a breakdown of the space! The area beneath the deck was enclosed with treated timber, creating storage and providing a backsplash for the outdoor kitchen. With a grill, refrigerator, stainless steel cabinets, and granite counters, this food prep center is fit for a chef! The deck stairs are less obtrusive in their new location. They descend into a retaining wall that encloses the patio and provides extra seating.

This rough cedar pergola with post wraps is the perfect spot for some comfy chairs or a dining table. It provides shade during the day, and the hanging string lights will allow parties to continue well into the night!

Up the stairs, the deck offers full coverage from the elements. With the new stone veneer fireplace, this porch will be the perfect spot to watch the Chiefs all season long, come rain or snow!

The final result – a gorgeous entertainment space equipped to host outdoors in any season. The rich textures of the stone and wood bring life to the yard; and with plenty of room for dining, conversing, and relaxing, this family is sure to enjoy their patio for years to come!

If you aren’t satisfied with your cookie-cutter yard, visit our website or give us a call at 816-608-8730 to schedule a design consultation. Maybe a grill station/pergola combo is your ideal setup, or perhaps a fire pit and water feature would better suit your style. No matter the vision, our team will guide you through the design process to create the outdoor space of your dreams!