Living Fabulously
Anytime Day or Night
Outdoor Living should Look, Feel, Taste, Entertain and Swim Fabulously anytime day or night
Appliances
Outdoor food can be fun. Your outdoor kitchen should be designed in correlation to space needed for preparation, type of cooking and intent. A fully functional outdoor kitchen which is equipped adequately with outdoor appliances helps organize the task of successful outdoor dining and entertaining.
Outdoor appliances compliment the grill which is the life of the party in many ways. The outdoor appliance line should cover details such as heat sourcing for cooking, assisting on the clean up and ease of presenting. All these functions of the outdoor kitchen can be properly handled when the correct appliance line is chosen and more importantly the design and layout of the Outdoor kitchen is aligned directly to the outdoor kitchen intent.
It is a daunting task to design and outfit an outdoor kitchen on an individual basis. Consulting a professional outdoor kitchen designer lends itself to be the best approach as guidance can be offered in many ways that vary differently from your ordinary indoor kitchen build experience. First hand, not all outdoor appliances are considered equal. Many of the big indoor names have released outdoor lines of grills and appliances. Their popularity stems with familiarity of their indoor product line.
Commercial proven lines of appliances with significant footholds in resorts, hotels and hospitality venues are rapidly expanding to the outdoor dining world as well.
Whereas some of the best outdoor products are from manufacturers solely designated to outdoor grills and appliances. It is these niche manufacturers who are successful in understanding the needs of outdoor grilling, dining and entertaining. They are responsive enough to develop perfected appliances that are proven professional in performance and residentially appealing too. They pride their lines of appliances to celebrate a rewarding mannerism of outdoor living with friends and family.
Outdoor Kitchen Fabulous designer tip
Use all the same equipment and appliances so the handles and finish of the appliances remain all the same. No need for a hybrid outdoor kitchen.
Automation
Automation is a sport all by itself. With the introduction to automated units and components inside the home, it didn’t take long to utilize them outside the home. However minimizing the process and control of outside automation is important to spouses and guests. There are many advantages to automation when working with pools, hot tubs, outdoor lighting and landscape lighting. I think it all is well and good if it still remains on the simpler scheme of things to operate. The outdoor covered kitchen for instance may have overhead lights, heat, outdoor kitchen lights, music, television, movies and internet. That is a small room in itself. One way in which automation works optimally is to synchronize it with the system in which you already have and are used to indoors. Many times it is easiest to add outlets outdoors that are classified as accessories on the inside command system and plug or wire items outdoors into this system.
As far as sound and lights go, transformers can relay the intuitive from indoors to outdoors. For instance wireless rock speakers around the outdoor kitchen and pool can be added more easily to an already house adapted system indoors. The use of multi switch toggle systems help control outdoor lights already earmarked and dimmed to approved illumination. This works well as for many guests they can just hit a switch on a column or pier and the system already engages to the perfect preset light source, water temperature, sound station etc.
Preparing a list or getting a handle on some of the items or more important things you would like to automate right from the beginning saves time and head ache.
Running everything by iPad, iPhone or android is becoming even more popular. Advanced security systems can be viewed upon from your laptop or phone even when absent from the property. It is a slow curve to learn how to automate your outdoor living space but I think down the road everyone will be doing it soon.
Outdoor Kitchen Fabulous tip for automation
Most times it is best for controlled automation from a vantage point inside the outdoor kitchen or anchored to a column or securely mounted to a house facade. Many times programmed remotes can be lost or simply get wet poolside. You also don’t want to be glued to your phone all the time.
Bar & Beverage
Bar & Beverage gets to the fore front of outdoor dining and entertaining rather quickly. It is important to create that help yourself persona throughout the life of the party with the exception of catered events of course. The choice for outside refrigeration, ice and wine coolers is paramount to the outcome of the party. Choosing a well known refrigerator is well worth it and best if it is proven successful outdoors. In the heat of the summer these units really work hard. Keep in mind the outdoor kitchen usually narrows the choice of units to under counter sizes much smaller in nature than your indoor counterpart. The outdoor appliance selection can be broken down into refrigerators, beverage coolers, keg orators, wine coolers, freezers and ice makers. All integral parts of outdoor dining and entertaining. Most manufacturers offer stainless door fronts and have access to powder coated panels to match the rest of the outdoor cabinetry. Better units offer glass fronts with back lit LED illumination. It is definitely an appliance that delivers value within which you pay for. Having multiple bar & beverage coolers accessible in many parts of the outdoor living space keeps peeps and guests from entering the personal indoor kitchen looking for a bottle of water or drink.
The bar & beverage side of things usually calls for a combination or host of outdoor refrigeration separate from the outdoor refrigeration necessary for the cooking side of things. Usually best suited for cooking outdoors is a two drawer pull unit offering to see whats in the drawer without bending down.Outdoor
Kitchen Fabulous tip
In many of our luxury Outdoor kitchens we use a two drawer pull refrigerator nearby the cooking sources and a beverage cooler anchoring the end of one of the kitchen islands making it both visible and accessible to guests without much bother. A beverage center differs from a refrigerator in a way that the inside is configured differently to accept different sized bottles and beverages.
Buffet
Buffet space serves much like counter space in many ways. The difference being the buffet serves a particular purpose or outdoor dining intent. Many times you envision a buffet at larger catered events. Buffet space can be modular in fashion, temporary or built into place. Buffet and counter space is relatively most important and particularly minimized when planning for your outdoor kitchen space. In fact it should be maximized. With the influx of todays trendy outdoor luxury kitchen, buffet space invites appetizers, salads, side dishes, guest dishes and deserts much like a banquet hall. The theme or lifestyle of the area outdoors can now be decorated and part of todays residential luxury outdoor kitchen. The buffet counter allows for extended periods of time spent outdoors. Too many times people think of an outdoor gathering or bbq with friends to begin with the grill and end at the table. This is no longer the case as owners loved to decorate, dine and entertain outdoors. Outdoor living can be fabulous when designed according to plan. The buffet is a priority for our design build luxury outdoor kitchens. Many of the times it becomes well accepted as a halfway point just outside the back door to supply prepared foods, foods to be cooked, beverages and guest brought delights. It eases the burden on the personal indoor kitchen as well. With todays powder coated cabinetry enabling one to match the decor and lifestyle of the owners, buffets serve themselves well. The buffet station can be flat on top as an extended counter or similar to resort types with a built in stainless tray that allows for ice to be contained and used for multiple purposes.
Outdoor Kitchen Fabulous tip
For the top of the buffet use the same counter type whether it be granite, stone or ceramic. It makes the outdoor kitchen appear much larger and performer much better. The outdoor buffet doesn’t have to be directly attached to the cooking area. Many times right against the back of the house close to the back access door becomes very helpful in staging or serving food.
Catering
Catering is an integral part of entertaining outdoors. The concept and use of an outdoor kitchen by caterers is becoming more and more popular with the emergence of dining and entertaining beyond the walls of one’s home outdoors. For larger family gatherings or catered parties hosted on a regular basis, it may be best suited to have a well equipped outdoor kitchen space. The hub of that space would be not so much a luxury outdoor kitchen but a multi equipped “professional use” outdoor kitchen.
Courtyard
Classic looking courtyards could be symmetrically lined with evergreen bushes or hedges such as boxwood to define the space. Usually there is passes of pea gravel or brick to egress from one area to the next. Adorned in the pockets of the boxwood hedges are rising focal trees small to medium in height called ornamental trees. A very pleasing appeal from the eye to look at.
Ice-Cooled Drop-in Food Bins
Keep Your Salad Bar and Food Cold Buffet style with a Ice Drop-In Keep meats, shrimp, yogurts, fruits, vegetables, desserts, and any beverages cold on ice with a built in Ice drop in.
Variable and separate stainless steel compartments don’t require any electrical connection to keep food chilling on ice. Available in several configurations of wells, these bins provide superior temperature retention. With these built ins its simple to maintain food and beverage presentation at proper holding temperatures.
Fans
When one thinks of an over head fan outdoors, it’s probable you envision yourself sitting on the porch in a rocking chair on a lazy summer day.
Fans can be assembled open air in the rafters of pergolas or strategically mounted in overhead beams of outdoor kitchens and pool houses.
These types of fans have work to do during both summer and winter comforting the guests around them. Fans come in multiple colors, finishes, and configurations. More types than we would know. However one we do know is the HAIKU from Big Ass Innovations. It has proven itself flawless for all of our outdoor living applications.
Faucets
Outdoor sink faucets oddly enough are often perceived as a “must have” until discovery of the costs associated with the sink, faucet, installation and the drainage discharge tip the scales not to favor being chosen part of the “to include list”.
And if you are fortunate to include the sink faucet as an integral part of your outdoor kitchen you will be thrilled that you did. It’s the convenience, and functionality of the sink faucet that keeps the outdoor kitchen outdoors. It is really hard to imagine not having a sink faucet in your kitchen and all the things you tend to do with the sink faucet until you don’t have access to one, maybe two at your beck and call.
Fireplace
We all seem to draw ourselves effortlessly to the mesmerizing and dancing flames of a fire. One of the greatest outdoor amenities shared by all and partial to none is the Outdoor Fireplace. The warmth of fire attracts and provides gratifying human emotion. It seems the larger the fireplace appears, the more dramatic the outdoor living spaces becomes. Outdoor fire certainly is a mainstay of desire for backyards all across America.
Here in New England and across the west Fireplaces are a source of fabulous heat and radiating ambiance. Sitting in front of the fireplace is a favorite family tradition that is continually finding its way into the many backyards.
And if you are fortunate to include the sink faucet as an integral part of your outdoor kitchen you will be thrilled that you did. It’s the convenience, and functionality of the sink faucet that keeps the outdoor kitchen outdoors. It is really hard to imagine not having a sink faucet in your kitchen and all the things you tend to do with the sink faucet until you don’t have access to one, maybe two at your beck and call.
Fire pits
What was once thrown into a circle in the farthest depths of the backyard, fire pits are now adorned with the finest of materials and bought into play in both settings of outdoor living and nearby the outdoor kitchen. Manufacturers have done a great job of accessorizing the pattern of the flame, style of the flame and shape of the burner.
Most commonly used is the round fire pit and now bowing a close second is the linear or straight line burner that can stand alone or connect itself to another linear burner to make great lengths and custom corners. At night the efforts of design pay great dividends as guests and family cant say enough how incredible fire does look at night.
Fire walls
Another asset of fire is the throw of flames from Fire pits, fire walls and fire features. The convenience of fuel and instant flame brings the “wow” factor into backyard fabulous. With the right fire product and an outdoor living professional with a little insight in how the space would function at night and brisk days, resort like outdoor spaces are not only in commercial settings. They are in backyards and a splash of fire goes a long way in someone’s mindset of that space.
With the use of linear fire burners, H shaped burners and custom layouts it is no wonder flames are popping up as increasingly as ever. A professional can help you specify the right equipment, fuel sizing and method of igniting and safety features. With the right crew fire walls can serve as cheek wall dividers between table areas and pool areas.
Furniture
Outdoor Furniture and furnishings for that matter is in a league of itself, “the creme de la creme” tying in all spaces and comforting the atmosphere with sofas, chairs, tables, outdoor lamps and dining tables just to get ‘started. With an array of outdoor fabrics, some more important in function than others your outdoor space can be adorned with furniture bright enough, bold enough and more than comfortable enough to say it truly feels like an outdoor living room.
And of course like your living room indoors the space is connected to other important rooms such as the kitchen, dining room and sometimes a recreational type room. This same configuration of space can be considered with the following outdoor kitchen, outdoor dining space and pool area.
So some of the furniture layouts and choices may come easily to you as how you would like to relax, converse around the outdoor kitchen and hang by the pool.
Granite Counters
Outdoor Counters are something you think about last as it should be most likely considered first. For a few reasons, one being the most important is the desired thickness of the counter. Counters outdoors depending on what materials you choose can range significantly in thickness and ultimately in finished height. This slight varying amount is a big game for the cabinets, plumes, electrician and setting the grill and appliances in place. At times most projects can be completed without this prior knowledge and the final result is ok but perhaps it is not award winning.
Heaters
Heaters fit in perfectly when in need of a climatic reach. Once the weather dips at night, the seasons change and the sea breezes begin to touch upon us, heaters are a great asset to equalizing the feel at night. Heaters in some parts of the country are a necessity to comfortable outdoor dining and entertaining. Strategic placement of heaters whether they are tall dome types on wheels, wall heaters, table tops or fixated overhead in the rafters, one feels much better feeling warmer than being cold.
Some of the heaters include fire for ambiance however they tend to not be the most efficient or best performing. The radiant type heaters are most probable and popular.
Heaters operate on different fuels such as natural gas, propane and electric. A couple of “must have accessories” to consider would be an on – off thermostat and fan to maximize the purpose of the heat output.
Hood
Hoods referred as exhaust hoods are very important for traditional indoor cooking and outdoor grilling. Hoods play an important role in the overall experience of cooking outdoors.
The performance for this hoods is contingent upon the physical size of the hood and the power of the exhaust measured in CFU’s. Correctly sizing the hood width to encapsulate the grilling surface area is first hand and secondly match up the power of the exhaust fan to handle the btu’s given off by the grill and burners.
Landscaping
Landscaping over the last 3 decades we have been involved in followed guidelines as a formalized discipline. However the last 10 years, Landscaping has evolved with a purpose and an emotional sense of purpose “Home Ownership” or public involvement such as parks and commercial settings where landscaping plays a big role in site development. Whether it is a reflect upon the senses or a respect to the environment plants, trees and flowers orchestrated in the cohesion appeals to all who look at and engage in the setting.
Landscape Lighting
Landscaping over the last 3 decades we have been involved in followed guidelines as a formalized discipline. However the last 10 years, Landscaping has evolved with a purpose and an emotional sense of purpose “Home Ownership” or public involvement such as parks and commercial settings where landscaping plays a big role in site development. Whether it is a reflect upon the senses or a respect to the environment plants, trees and flowers orchestrated in the cohesion appeals to all who look at and engage in the setting.
Lapitec Stone
Kitchen worktops
Lapitec® is an innovative sintered stone material which is perfect for kitchen worktops. Lapitec® is highly resistant to scratches, abrasions, high temperatures and staining; these properties make it the perfect choice for a modern-looking kitchen worktop and for surfaces meant to be long lasting and highly resistant.
Marble
Marble was magnificent then and significant today in our home design markets. Once only seen on the towering buildings of exquisite architecture in far away places and government premises, with the help of marble purveyors marble slabs and accents have reached our markets.
