Beautiful Poolside Pavilion and Guesthouse for Open-Air Living
A design-build firm helps a family make the most of its Illinois property and prepare for future lifestyle changes
What started as plans for a backyard pavilion with an outdoor kitchen snowballed into much more for these Libertyville, Illinois, homeowners. When they bought the lot next door to their house, they imagined building an open-air pavilion where they could lounge, prepare and eat meals, and spend more time in the fresh air. The project evolved to include a guesthouse with a pool, pool pavilion, spa and two-car garage. There are even plans for a later addition that could convert the guesthouse into a full-time residence.
While they were planning the project, they realized that when the time comes for them to downsize or if they need one-floor living at some point, they could expand the guesthouse, sell their current home and move in next door. For now they’re enjoying the guesthouse and pavilion as an inviting space for family game time, an outdoor retreat and a place to relax and grill after a dip in the new pool.
While they were planning the project, they realized that when the time comes for them to downsize or if they need one-floor living at some point, they could expand the guesthouse, sell their current home and move in next door. For now they’re enjoying the guesthouse and pavilion as an inviting space for family game time, an outdoor retreat and a place to relax and grill after a dip in the new pool.
The open pavilion includes a large fireplace and an outdoor kitchen full of bells and whistles. On the left side of the exterior is an outdoor shower with a pebble base. The guesthouse (which connects to the pavilion) includes a game room, kitchen, powder room and bedroom with a full bathroom. The house also has a garage on the opposite side from where this photo was taken.
Two large fieldstone chimneys bookend either side of the structure. The spa is a few steps from the cover of the pavilion. Beyond the arched gate on the right is a welcoming front porch.
The patio and pool coping are composed of Indiana limestone, which continues onto the pavilion floor for a seamless look. “We used the same materials that they have on their house on this house, including the stones we used for the pavilion chimneys,” Shaver says. They’re a blend of Lannon, Fond du Lac and Chilton limestones. Another stunning detail is the copper on the chimney caps and flashing.
Two large fieldstone chimneys bookend either side of the structure. The spa is a few steps from the cover of the pavilion. Beyond the arched gate on the right is a welcoming front porch.
The patio and pool coping are composed of Indiana limestone, which continues onto the pavilion floor for a seamless look. “We used the same materials that they have on their house on this house, including the stones we used for the pavilion chimneys,” Shaver says. They’re a blend of Lannon, Fond du Lac and Chilton limestones. Another stunning detail is the copper on the chimney caps and flashing.
Shaver divided the pavilion into two distinct areas. One is a lounge and the other is an outdoor kitchen with bar. The chimney in the lounge has a warming fireplace. Note that there are also heaters on the ceiling beams to keep things toasty. This extends pavilion time into the shoulder seasons. The ceilings are stained and sealed knotty white cedar.
This photo provides the best look at the outdoor kitchen countertops. They’re a honed quartzite, a natural, durable stone with gorgeous veining patterns.
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This photo provides the best look at the outdoor kitchen countertops. They’re a honed quartzite, a natural, durable stone with gorgeous veining patterns.
Browse outdoor lounge furniture in the Houzz Shop
The other chimney serves the pizza oven in the outdoor kitchen. “We designed the outdoor kitchen around a Kalamazoo pizza oven, but when we went to order it, they had just discontinued that model. We told them they would have to make us just one more, and they did,” Shaver says. All the outdoor appliances are by Kalamazoo and include the grill on the left, an undercounter smoker on the right, vent hoods, beverage drawers and a wine cooler. The outdoor kitchen also has a full sink. Both chimneys have TVs mounted on them for game days.
“The wife loved blue, so that served as a starting point with the interior design,” Demetrio says. “She was into an East Coast, Ralph-Lauren-in-the-Hamptons look.” Wicker furniture, stripes, rope-wrapped coffee table legs and outdoorsy iron lanterns give the style. “I knew Visual Comfort would be a good fit for their lighting scheme,” Demetrio says. “The wife and I shopped together for the light fixtures we used throughout the house.”
The homeowners store the pavilion furniture in the guesthouse’s two-car garage during the winter.
“The wife loved blue, so that served as a starting point with the interior design,” Demetrio says. “She was into an East Coast, Ralph-Lauren-in-the-Hamptons look.” Wicker furniture, stripes, rope-wrapped coffee table legs and outdoorsy iron lanterns give the style. “I knew Visual Comfort would be a good fit for their lighting scheme,” Demetrio says. “The wife and I shopped together for the light fixtures we used throughout the house.”
The homeowners store the pavilion furniture in the guesthouse’s two-car garage during the winter.
Inside the guesthouse, an open floor plan incorporates game areas, the family room, the kitchen and the dining area. “They had a pingpong table, a game table and a large, comfortable sectional sofa on their wish list,” Demetrio says. She was able to fit everything into the space by finding a dining table that converts into a pingpong table.
Like the pavilion ceiling, the ceiling in here soars to a high vault. Demetrio recommended a large two-tier chandelier to stand up to the scale of the space. “My clients liked polished nickel, so we used that throughout,” she says. Other elements that fit the large scale of the room are the extra-high kitchen cabinets, the large sectional sofa and the wide fireplace surround.
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Like the pavilion ceiling, the ceiling in here soars to a high vault. Demetrio recommended a large two-tier chandelier to stand up to the scale of the space. “My clients liked polished nickel, so we used that throughout,” she says. Other elements that fit the large scale of the room are the extra-high kitchen cabinets, the large sectional sofa and the wide fireplace surround.
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A set of multistack glass doors that slide into the walls creates an 8-by-18-foot opening that allows for free flow between the pavilion and the house. “They like to play a lot of games together,” Demetrio says. She tucked this elegant game table into a corner that enjoys the light from the French doors and is close to any action in the pavilion.
The designer used grasscloth on the walls to create a connection to the outdoors through texture. Other natural materials like wood and caning on the chairs also reinforce the indoor-outdoor connection. She brought the client’s favorite blue to this corner through the cushions and artwork.
Wallcovering: Sabah SAB-200, Innovations; doors; Marvin
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The designer used grasscloth on the walls to create a connection to the outdoors through texture. Other natural materials like wood and caning on the chairs also reinforce the indoor-outdoor connection. She brought the client’s favorite blue to this corner through the cushions and artwork.
Wallcovering: Sabah SAB-200, Innovations; doors; Marvin
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The entire space was designed for relaxing, even in damp bathing suits. “I used performance fabrics on everything in here,” Demetrio says.
The kitchen layout also works well for casual gathering. The fridge placement outside of the work triangle makes it easy for people to grab drinks and snacks without going into the kitchen’s work zone.
The kitchen layout also works well for casual gathering. The fridge placement outside of the work triangle makes it easy for people to grab drinks and snacks without going into the kitchen’s work zone.
Demetrio brought in more of her client’s favorite blue through the island base and the custom vent hood. The tumbled and glossy elongated subway tile backsplash keeps the look light, while the darker quartzite countertops add contrast. Demetrio also introduced pattern on the backs of the counter stools. These are extra-comfy models upholstered in a performance fabric.
The flooring throughout the house is engineered European white oak with a cerused texture. The planks are 9 inches wide. “In our climate, prefinished hardwoods are preferable,” Shaver says. “Regular hardwood planks over 4 inches in width tend to move around too much with our extreme temperature changes.”
The flooring throughout the house is engineered European white oak with a cerused texture. The planks are 9 inches wide. “In our climate, prefinished hardwoods are preferable,” Shaver says. “Regular hardwood planks over 4 inches in width tend to move around too much with our extreme temperature changes.”
“When I suggested this bold wallpaper for the powder room, the wife agreed that it was really fun and said yes,” Demetrio says. “The abstract leaves tie in nature.”
The designer made sure everything else in the room played a supporting role, letting the wallpaper be the star. The blue-gray vanity looks like a freestanding dresser, and the shelf on the bottom creates a more open feel. The marble-look quartz countertop, polished nickel finishes and octagonal mirror complete the look.
How to Choose a Bathroom Vanity: Your Step-by-Step Guide
The designer made sure everything else in the room played a supporting role, letting the wallpaper be the star. The blue-gray vanity looks like a freestanding dresser, and the shelf on the bottom creates a more open feel. The marble-look quartz countertop, polished nickel finishes and octagonal mirror complete the look.
How to Choose a Bathroom Vanity: Your Step-by-Step Guide
This is the main entry into the guesthouse. A front porch with bluestone pavers, rockers and lovely French doors gives it a welcoming feel. The paint colors and the bluestone pavers match the palette of the main house. “We also used the bluestone on the front walk and as a border on the new tumbled granite driveway,” Shaver says.
The doors are clear Douglas fir with glass panes that bring natural light into the foyer. Just beyond this photo’s frame to the right is an outdoor closet that houses the pool toys. Inside the house to the right are a laundry room and mudroom.
Sconce: Visual Comfort; pendant light: Schoolhouse; rocking chairs: Lloyd Flanders; front doors: Simpson Door
The doors are clear Douglas fir with glass panes that bring natural light into the foyer. Just beyond this photo’s frame to the right is an outdoor closet that houses the pool toys. Inside the house to the right are a laundry room and mudroom.
Sconce: Visual Comfort; pendant light: Schoolhouse; rocking chairs: Lloyd Flanders; front doors: Simpson Door
The second floor contains the bedroom suite. “We wanted this bedroom to feel subdued and tranquil,” Demetrio says. Plaid bedding, a paisley chair, grasscloth-covered nightstands and an abstract rug lend a nice balance of patterns and textures. Meanwhile, lots of shades of blue create a serene vacation vibe.
Rug: Barclay Butera for Jaipur Living
Rug: Barclay Butera for Jaipur Living
A beautiful wood vanity with caned doors adds warmth in the otherwise all-white bathroom. “My client had found a photo of a similar vanity and we had a millworker make it,” Demetrio says. “This piece also tied in to the color of the floors in the rest of the house.” The countertop is durable quartz that looks like marble.
The bathroom’s floor tiles are composed in a honeycomb pattern. The subway tile walls, polished nickel faucets, beveled mirrors and apothecary-style lighting provide classic vintage touches. Meanwhile, the curbless shower with a clear glass enclosure mixes in a more modern element.
While the project grew way beyond the homeowners’ original plans for a pavilion with an outdoor kitchen, it was worth it to them. They have a wonderful space to spend time in the open air, plenty of room for long-term visits from family and a pool where they can cool off on hot days. More important, it’s given them a wonderful option for their future. If they decide to downsize or need one-floor living, they won’t have to leave the location they love — they can just move their things over the property line.
Tile: Ann Sacks
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The bathroom’s floor tiles are composed in a honeycomb pattern. The subway tile walls, polished nickel faucets, beveled mirrors and apothecary-style lighting provide classic vintage touches. Meanwhile, the curbless shower with a clear glass enclosure mixes in a more modern element.
While the project grew way beyond the homeowners’ original plans for a pavilion with an outdoor kitchen, it was worth it to them. They have a wonderful space to spend time in the open air, plenty of room for long-term visits from family and a pool where they can cool off on hot days. More important, it’s given them a wonderful option for their future. If they decide to downsize or need one-floor living, they won’t have to leave the location they love — they can just move their things over the property line.
Tile: Ann Sacks
More on Houzz
Read more stories about outbuildings
Browse more pool house photos
Find a local deck and patio specialist
Shop for your outdoor spaces
Guesthouse at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their teenage son
Location: Libertyville, Illinois
Size: 1,900 square feet (177 square meters); one bedroom, 1½ bathrooms
Interior designer: Laurie Demetrio
Builder: Nick Shaver of Century Bay Builders
Landscape design-build pro: Joey Rossa of JMR Landscaping
The homeowners’ house is visible on the right. The project began when they bought the lot next door and planned an outdoor pavilion with landscape design-build firm owner Joey Rossa. They wanted this property to remain a legally separate lot, and they learned they would have to build a single-family house on it to keep that status. So Rossa brought in contractor Nick Shaver, who designed a home that could be built in two phases.
The property is currently in phase one, with communal family spaces on the main level and a primary suite upstairs. But Shaver also designed a phase two addition that would add a first-floor primary suite and two more bedrooms. And he built a full-height basement that’s set up to be finished if the homeowners want that in the future. “If and when my clients decide to sell their own house and downsize, they can complete the addition and move in here,” he says. After completing the plans, Shaver brought in interior designer Laurie Demetrio, a frequent collaborator, to work with the homeowners.
The pavilion project was inspired by a desire to spend more time outside during the pandemic shutdown. The homeowners initially had no plans for a pool. However, a stifling heat wave changed that. “We had a couple of really hot days, and the next thing you know, a pool was part of the design,” Shaver says.
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