Project of the Month: October 2014
October 29, 2014 Project of the MonthClick on the image to discover the details of this traditional project in Sugar Land.
Click on the image to discover the details of this traditional project in Sugar Land.
Click on the image to discover the details of this traditional project in Sugar Land.
Click on the image below to see details of this patio cover and room addition in Cypress.
Whether it’s college basketball or patio construction, the road to the final four is an exciting one!
Choosing the best design elements is a tough game. It’s best to approach it with a strategy in mind and a good knowledge of all the players. We’ve pulled out the Sweet 16 of the following categories to help you narrow down your options through the Elite Eight and down to the Final Four, including one in each of the following categories:
Take your patio options through these elimination rounds on the road to the final four to discover which options will come out on top!
The flooring you select sets the stage for your outdoor living space. Pavers and tile give a good showing with predictable patterns. Natural flagstone brings home the Texas Hill Country look. A stamped overlay gives a lot of versatility on the floor. It is flexible enough to look like random natural stone, patterned tile or even wood. Based on its performance, it is a favored pick among homeowners. Some flooring options that did not advance to the Sweet 16 are plain concrete (which is the base for almost all of our flooring options) and acid stained concrete. Both options are virtually maintenance free and durable.
Your choices in column options can help your patio blend seamlessly with the architecture of your home or make a powerfully contrasting statement to bring interest to your outdoor living space. A full brick column easily ties into a home, especially if the back of the home is all brick. Many homes in our area have hardie siding on the back, so the combination of masonry and Hardie® does a nice job of reintroducing the stone or brick from the front of the house again in the backyard. Masonry and cedar gives a rustic, Hill Country look. Full stone is a popular option for pool owners, who have a lot of stone around their pools and also for home owners whose facade features a lot of stone work. Stucco and decorative fiberglass column surrounds are column alternatives that didn’t make the round this time, but are fantastic options on stucco or very traditional homes, respectively.
In the design process, the ceiling is often underestimated in its ability to bring the entire project together. A ceiling, done right, can make an outdoor living space project a slam dunk. Let’s take a look at the contenders. A painted Hardie® ceiling is a good option to match an existing patio cover, as many builders choose this option during construction. Tongue and Groove Wood (spruce, pine or cedar) adds richness and warmth. Reclaimed wood brings a rustic, old-world charm. Tin tiles can give a unique, vintage flavor to the ceiling.
The roof shape brings new definition to the architecture of the entire home. For most homes, a hip roof, one that slopes on all sides, will allow the patio cover to blend seamlessly into the architecture of the home and provide plenty of shade. A shed roof is a great fit on a two-story home with windows above the patio space, because it is a single-sloped roof with vertical sides. The loftiness of an open gable roof provides height and a soaring view. When the existing roofline and windows present tie-in challenges, a combination hip and gable roof is a solid and versatile player.
Visit us on Houzz and begin adding your favorite outdoor style images to your Ideabooks! Or check us out on Pinterest and pin your picks to your own Boards.
If you have been following Texas Custom Patios in social media, you may have come across a term we’ve been using: Outdoor Style.
Knowing the type of work Texas Custom Patios does, you may think that has everything to do with lush woods, gorgeous stonework and inviting lighting. But, it actually doesn’t. We want to clear things up.
#OutdoorStyle more about an attitude, a mindset and a lifestyle than it is about materials and design. Don’t misunderstand, we love beautiful outdoor living spaces around here. We pour ourselves into creating them! The exquisite spaces we build are custom-made as a setting where living happens for the person with #OutdoorStyle.
Let’s dig in a bit more to the elements of #OutdoorStyle.
#OutdoorStyle is taking your down time at a slower pace. It’s taking a moment to just breathe. It’s savoring a weekend with no schedule. #OutdoorStyle is the high life that steps away from the hamster wheel. It’s enjoying the peace and soaking in whatever this moment brings.
#OutdoorStyle recognizes that relationships are first. It values belly laughs and making memories. It says, “Stay and talk.” #OutdoorStyle is the house on the block with the open front door and a back patio full of company who feels more like family.
#OutdoorStyle loves entertaining, relaxing and dining. It’s the first to pop open a bottle and celebrate for a milestone or just because it’s Friday. It’s finesse and fun, but with an uncommon ease.
What about you? Does your outdoor living space express your #OutdoorStyle? If your current outdoor design doesn’t match your #OutdoorStyle, call Texas Custom Patios (281-265-1994) or contact us to request a free consultation.
How would you describe your #OutdoorStyle? Leave a comment below. We’d love to hear from you!
Choosing from all the options available can be overwhelming when you begin your patio design-build process. Nearly every homeowner wonders about the investment they are making in their outdoor living space.
Our project developers walk every step with our customers from concept to completion. We’ve been involved in taking your dreams from idea to paper to an actual outdoor structure on nearly 1,000 completed projects. Every year, we get to put our hands on exciting new products and trends in outdoor living.
This type of expertise helps you make your outdoor living selections with confidence.
Our first pick isn’t exactly new, rather it’s better described as new again. Using reclaimed wood in ceilings and beams is a huge trend. It’s environmentally sound to put old beams to new uses. Vintage timbers offer a beautiful look that our customers love. Each piece has a unique charm seen in the character of its imperfections and known in the history of the piece, as if it had a story. Reclaimed wood with a tight, dense grain that comes from slow growth is superior in quality and durability. We’re currently working with a lumber company that mills to order.
Photo Credit: Eldorado Stone
Manufactured stone veneer gives the beautiful look and feel of real stone, but it is surprisingly affordable and easier to install. The lightweight stone veneer is molded in forms made from hand-selected natural stone. Manufactured stone veneer is a believable faux option great for patios and facades. Maybe one of its best qualities is that manufactured stone is a sustainable product!
There really is something relaxing about an open air space. Multi-door sliding doors, pocket doors and even french doors leading to the patio can provide that seamless transition between indoors and out. They’re perfect to throw open for family gatherings or parties and are energy-efficient in between. This is an expensive option, but it adds a dramatic impact between indoor and outdoor living.
Visit us on Houzz and begin adding your favorite outdoor style images to your Ideabooks!
You’ve worked hard to decorate the inside of your home – so don’t give up when you get to the patio. With the right furniture and finishing touches, your patio can feel like another room in the house. We interviewed an interior and exterior designer – Sophia of Sophia Designs in Houston, Texas – to get a few tips on making the most of your outdoor living area.
What tips do you have for making your patio an extension of your home?
Sophia: It’s important to use space in the best way possible. Think about exterior space in the same way that you think about interior space. Think about a focal point in the “room,” such as a sculptural piece, fire pit, flower or herb garden, or a water feature. Then, match your designs around that one point. I like to use native plants, stones, and colorful cushions in exterior design.
Marigolds
As far as furniture goes, the options are endless. I tend to use classic or modern furniture with neutral color bases. I add stonework and rocks for an organic feel and a water feature for a calming affect. Also, outdoor rugs are a great accessory to define a space.
What colors work well outdoors?
Sophia: Every year, the Pantone Institute forecasts a color of the year. This year it’s “Tangerine Tango.” They say it has “it has the adrenalin rush of red with a friendliness and warmth of yellow.” It’s a great color for the outdoors. You’ll see it on umbrellas and cushions, and flowers like marigolds and lantana. Tangerine Tango is a positive, hopeful color. Blue is a great complementary color.
Tangerine Tango Umbrella
See Tangerine Tango decoration ideas from HGTV.
How can someone choose colors for their patio that match their home?
Sophia: Work with the colors of the exterior of your home. Consider the existing outdoor structure – wall, brick, siding, whatever. You can even hang artwork outside if it’s water resistant, like a sculptural, iron piece of art.
Also, it’s important to incorporate the home’s interior design by taking the same style and colors into the outdoor space. For example, if your home has a traditional style, use a traditional style on the patio. If you live in a contemporary home with a lot of angles and pops of color, use the same ideas outdoors. Mixing styles can result in a patio looking “added on,” instead of like an extension of your home.
What are some current outdoor design trends?
Checks
Sophia: Stripes are classic and work with everything. Personally, I love huge checks also. People tend to forget about lighting—the lights on fans are too harsh, so get a lamp with batteries. Candles, firepits, outdoor fireplaces, solar and garden outdoor lights bring ambiance to the space. I suggest spotlighting interesting areas in your outdoor space, like your artwork or garden. Lighting helps make your patio look richer but without much of an investment.
Do you have any favorite products?
Sophia: I like metal and synthetic furniture that looks like wicker and wood. All are easy to clean and look wonderful. I like to decorate with all kinds of planters, rocks are important, and cushions, pillows, and umbrellas for color. Sunbrella is one weather resistant fabric that’s great for panels and awnings.
My team installs a lot of netting and drapery panels; our workroom purchases, constructs and installs these special fabrics. Netting comes in all kinds of colors – beiges, whites, greens. It helps keep bugs out and you can roll it up like a shade. You can drop it down at night to keep things more private.
Panel draping can be hung from columns and closed for added privacy
I also love patio panels. They look like indoor draperies and you can hang them from your patio cover at each of the four corners and strap them back. They come in an endless variety of weather treated fabrics. Stripes are good for a cabana feel.
Contact Sophia Vassiliou at Sophia@sophiadesigns.com or 281-685-1429.
We were very pleased with Texas Custom Patios and how our primary contact, Ryan, approached the job. He was very polished and professional and as issues surfaced during the project he was quick to deliver a solid solution. Well worth the investment. We are very pleased with the outcome of this patio and are happy to be a reference to anyone with questions.
We will get back to soon!