Kitchen & Bath Business - May/June 2018 - 13

Fire features, particularly gas-fired options that
emit less smoke, are especially popular for lighting ambiance. Unconventional and personalized
additions - like a yoga garden or a bocce court
- are more easily included outside because of the
versatility of a backyard. Consumers are also installing nontraditional, built-in cooking options
that cannot work or fit inside, such as a tandoor
oven, a smoker or a flat-top grill.
"Food is also driving the trends we're seeing in
outdoor kitchens," said Russ Faulk, chief designer and head of product for Kalamazoo Outdoor
Gourmet."Homeowners are craving authenticity
in their cooking, so they are gravitating toward
products like dedicated wood-fired grills, smokers
and pizza ovens with intense heat."
TECHNOLOGY'S PLACE

The outdoor kitchen and living space might be intended as a place to unplug, but that doesn't mean
technology is lacking. Instead, items like speakers, outdoor theaters and televisions are designed
to be easily disguised. These elements can create
ambiance for an outdoor event and offer more
versatility for the space - enticing homeowners
to spend more time outside.
"Technology can definitely enhance the outdoor
living experience, especially if it contributes to ease
of use and improves upon memorable moments,"
said Schroeter,explaining that products like wireless
digital thermometers that monitor food or a gas fireplace can allow the host to spend less time cooking
and cleaning and more time enjoying their guests.
Recent lighting features, particularly LEDs,
are other technological advancements that add
both atmosphere and safety to the outdoors. The
right lighting will brighten up steps or debris on
the ground, which helps limit falls. Fixtures for

Isokern firebox interior made
from volcanic pumice, which
is one the safest and most
energy-efficient materials
for holding flames. This
signature piece assembles
in less than half the time of
traditional masonry block
installations and without the
mess and waste required by
those techniques.

the outdoors have expanded in variety and style;
more decorative options like sconces, bollards and
pendants can complete an environment.
"The night provides the opportunity to feature interest and texture by [how] you illuminate objects in
their environment,"said Robert Sonneman,founder
of Sonneman - A Way of Light."Bright light shone
into a black space creates a high degree of harsh,
high contrast.Subtle light reflected off architectural
textures, trees, plants and rocks provides dramatic
visual richness in the surrounding darkness."

BELOW The Ultimate Multi-

ENDURING MATERIALS

ABOVE The Sherwood

Wood-Burning Fireplace from

ELDORADO STONE has an

Slide Door from MARVIN

WINDOWS AND DOORS

features a flush sill that meets
ADA threshold criteria and
a multi-point lock for extra
security. Available in sizes up
to 56 feet wide and 12 feet
high, the door is available in
IZ3 certification and meets or
exceeds a LC-PG50 rating.
Photo courtesy of Marvin
Windows and Doors

When incorporating an outside living area, one of
the most important considerations is the choice
in materials. Even if the project is in an ideal outdoor environment, everything needs to include
extremely durable and low-maintenance features.
"When a client is thinking about a renovation,
I always encourage him or her to make sure not
to skimp on materials - this may mean building a
deck with a compost material over wood or using a
higher-quality stone for a patio,"said Chip Wade,
owner of Atlanta-based WadeBuilt, a design and
construction firm. "In the long run, investing in
the right materials will save money down the line."
Options that use heavy-grade stainless steel, a
strong fiber and resin or are available with a cover
provide longevity in outdoor spaces. According to
Jared Becker, vice president of design and marketing for Walker Zanger, porcelain tile is at the forefront of flooring materials for the outdoors because
of its durability and ability to mimic other materials.
"In terms of floor tile,homeowners are searching
for a low-maintenance, lasting tile that includes
an anti-slip option for outdoor use," said Becker.
If the budget allows, including a protective ceiling like a pergola or creating a partially enclosed
California room will also add value to the home.
Including these shielding measures is especially
important in more extreme environments, where
despite the challenges, more homeowners are requesting outdoor spaces.

The Arcadia Series of
cabinetry from KALAMAZOO
OUTDOOR GOURMET features
four clearly defined boards
in either oiled ipe wood or
powder-coated stainless
steel. The ends of each cabinet are capped in brushed
stainless steel, tying the
overall look to the company's
stainless steel outdoor cooking appliance line.

The ANGLEPOISE Original
1227 Giant Outdoor Floor
Lamp features marine-grade
stainless steel fittings and
knurled bespoke adjuster
wheels, a sealed light unit
and a durable silicone rubber
cable. This statement piece
comes in six standard colors,
along with custom color and
finish options. Photography
by Alexandra Davies

Designed by Mario Ruiz, the
Paloma Teak Lounge Chair
from RESTORATION HARDWARE offers broad, beveled
planes and crisp lines for a
sculptural, geometric composition. The chair is made of
eco-friendly and durable teak,
and the cushions come in a
choice of fabrics that resist
mildew, stains and fading.

Kitchen & Bath Business - May/June 2018

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