Positioning the home as a conduit for family and togetherness, Gathering House is expanded to facilitate an open and engaging residential experience, melding both old and new within the one generous site. Taking references from the existing formal silhouette and materiality already in place, the focus became on extruding the original form while imbedding new principles of increased scale and openness throughout. Binding the interior to the larger landscape was also key, driving clear visual connections between inside and out and allowing the functions of the home to spill out into dedicated outdoor entertaining areas. The home celebrates coming together, dotted with moments of compression and release to align with varying levels of passive or active animation, retaining the familiar intimacy of home.

Custom Coastal Luxe Home Build

BCD Building Pty Ltd

Inspiration for a beach style patio in Sydney.

Hood House

Mihaly Slocombe

Hood House is a playful protector that respects the heritage character of Carlton North whilst celebrating purposeful change. It is a luxurious yet compact and hyper-functional home defined by an exploration of contrast: it is ornamental and restrained, subdued and lively, stately and casual, compartmental and open. For us, it is also a project with an unusual history. This dual-natured renovation evolved through the ownership of two separate clients. Originally intended to accommodate the needs of a young family of four, we shifted gears at the eleventh hour and adapted a thoroughly resolved design solution to the needs of only two. From a young, nuclear family to a blended adult one, our design solution was put to a test of flexibility. The result is a subtle renovation almost invisible from the street yet dramatic in its expressive qualities. An oblique view from the northwest reveals the playful zigzag of the new roof, the rippling metal hood. This is a form-making exercise that connects old to new as well as establishing spatial drama in what might otherwise have been utilitarian rooms upstairs. A simple palette of Australian hardwood timbers and white surfaces are complimented by tactile splashes of brass and rich moments of colour that reveal themselves from behind closed doors. Our internal joke is that Hood House is like Lazarus, risen from the ashes. We’re grateful that almost six years of hard work have culminated in this beautiful, protective and playful house, and so pleased that Glenda and Alistair get to call it home.

Creekbridge

Daniela Fulford Photography

Photo of a contemporary patio in Melbourne.

Keon House

Demardi.

Mid-sized contemporary patio in Melbourne.

Pear Tree House

Glasshouse Projects

Inspiration for a contemporary patio in Other.

Frankston South

LimeTree Alfresco

Photo of a contemporary patio in Melbourne.

Attadale Project

Western Cabinets

This is an example of a large contemporary backyard patio in Perth with an outdoor kitchen, concrete slab and a roof extension.

Modern Coastal Barn

Bakker Design

Bakker Design
This is an example of a beach style patio in Central Coast.

Fitzroy

Doherty Building Group

This is an example of a contemporary patio.

Bella Vista

Opening Roof Specialists

This Bella Vista pergola area adds a new dimension to the home. Sitting conveniently next to the in-ground pool, it is furnished with comfortable outdoor lounge seating, 10-seat dining table, and a woodfire pizza oven. Opening Roof Specialists gave special attention to all the finishing touches. The natural pergola colour scheme is matched to its surroundings, making it a calming and harmonious space to be in. Complete with LED lights, ceiling fan, and motorised opening louvres, entertaining guests by the poolside has never been more luxurious!

Estate - Lindon, Utah (40)

Magleby Construction

Design ideas for an expansive country backyard patio in Salt Lake City with concrete pavers and a pergola.

Matching a Modern Home in Richmond

Outdoor Dreams

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard patio in Richmond with with fireplace and natural stone pavers.

Idyllic Modern

David Thorne Landscape Architect

Marion Brenner Photography
Photo of a large contemporary front yard patio in San Francisco with tile and no cover.

Fire Pit

Conklin Limestone

A perfect addition to your outdoor living is a seating wall surrounding a firepit. Cambridge Maytrx wall, Pyzique Fire Pit, Round table Pavers. Installed by Natural Green Landsacpe & Design in Lincoln, RI

Outdoor Living Space with Pool in Milton

Boyce Design + Build

The classic style covered cabana sits poolside and houses an impressive, outdoor, stacked stone, wood burning fireplace with wood storage, mounted tv, a vaulted tongue and groove ceiling and an outdoor living room perfect for hosting family and friends.

Quince Reverse Shed Eichler

Guy Ayers, Architect

Reverse Shed Eichler This project is part tear-down, part remodel. The original L-shaped plan allowed the living/ dining/ kitchen wing to be completely re-built while retaining the shell of the bedroom wing virtually intact. The rebuilt entertainment wing was enlarged 50% and covered with a low-slope reverse-shed roof sloping from eleven to thirteen feet. The shed roof floats on a continuous glass clerestory with eight foot transom. Cantilevered steel frames support wood roof beams with eaves of up to ten feet. An interior glass clerestory separates the kitchen and livingroom for sound control. A wall-to-wall skylight illuminates the north wall of the kitchen/family room. New additions at the back of the house add several “sliding” wall planes, where interior walls continue past full-height windows to the exterior, complimenting the typical Eichler indoor-outdoor ceiling and floor planes. The existing bedroom wing has been re-configured on the interior, changing three small bedrooms into two larger ones, and adding a guest suite in part of the original garage. A previous den addition provided the perfect spot for a large master ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Natural materials predominate, with fir ceilings, limestone veneer fireplace walls, anigre veneer cabinets, fir sliding windows and interior doors, bamboo floors, and concrete patios and walks. Landscape design by Bernard Trainor: www.bernardtrainor.com (see “Concrete Jungle” in April 2014 edition of Dwell magazine). Microsoft Media Center installation of the Year, 2008: www.cybermanor.com/ultimate_install.html (automated shades, radiant heating system, and lights, as well as security & sound).

Arcadia Spanish Colonial | Outdoor Dining and Steel Pergola

Greey Pickett

The landscape of this home honors the formality of Spanish Colonial / Santa Barbara Style early homes in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix. By re-grading the lot and allowing for terraced opportunities, we featured a variety of hardscape stone, brick, and decorative tiles that reinforce the eclectic Spanish Colonial feel. Cantera and La Negra volcanic stone, brick, natural field stone, and handcrafted Spanish decorative tiles are used to establish interest throughout the property. A front courtyard patio includes a hand painted tile fountain and sitting area near the outdoor fire place. This patio features formal Boxwood hedges, Hibiscus, and a rose garden set in pea gravel. The living room of the home opens to an outdoor living area which is raised three feet above the pool. This allowed for opportunity to feature handcrafted Spanish tiles and raised planters. The side courtyard, with stepping stones and Dichondra grass, surrounds a focal Crape Myrtle tree. One focal point of the back patio is a 24-foot hand-hammered wrought iron trellis, anchored with a stone wall water feature. We added a pizza oven and barbecue, bistro lights, and hanging flower baskets to complete the intimate outdoor dining space. Project Details: Landscape Architect: Greey|Pickett Architect: Higgins Architects Landscape Contractor: Premier Environments Metal Arbor: Porter Barn Wood Photography: Scott Sandler

Fire Features

Nansemond Precast Concrete

Traditional Style Fire Feature - the Prescott Fire Pit - using Techo-Bloc's Prescott wall & Piedimonte cap.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard patio in Other with a fire feature, natural stone pavers and no cover.

Fire Features

Johns Building Supply

Traditional Style Fire Feature - Techo-Bloc's Valencia Fire Pit.
Inspiration for a large traditional backyard patio in Boston with a fire feature, natural stone pavers and no cover.

Brown, Turquoise Patio Design Ideas

A patio is a paved outdoor area that adjoins a house, and is a popular addition to Australian and New Zealand homes. Not only is it yet another place to enjoy the great outdoors, but it can also save you time and money on landscaping. Often seen as an extension of the indoor living space, patios and courtyards can serve multiple functions. If you add outdoor furniture such as lounge chairs and a sofa, a barbecue or outdoor kitchen and a dining table and chairs, you can use them for entertaining, cooking, dining, and relaxing. Browse the Photos on Houzz for courtyard and patio designs to see how you can best utilise your existing outdoor area.

What materials should I use to construct my patio?

Stone pavers and bricks are the most common surface materials used for patios, while concrete, tiles and gravel are also popular. Stone paving is usually at the top end of the price bracket, but is highly durable and the most natural-looking of the surface materials available. Brick patios, on the other hand, are relatively easy to lay, and provide a warm, rich colour that can complement traditional homes. Concrete patios are one of the least expensive to build and are also very durable, while gravel is quick and easy to install. You will also need to decide whether you want your patio covered or left uncovered. You can add roofing if you plan on using the space regularly, or opt for a pergola, trellis or umbrella for shade instead. Patio enclosures, usually made from glass or mesh screens, can also transform your space into an outdoor room.

What outdoor patio furniture and decor should I include?

A patio can be so much more than just a paved slab, if you add the right additions. An outdoor kitchen and bar will help make the space the life of the party, while high-quality, low-slung chairs will make you want to stay outside for longer. If you have the budget, you may even consider adding a spa or pool. To make it the ideal al fresco area even when temperatures drop, a fire pit or fireplace will be able to keep you and your company toasty warm. To entice you and your guests into the space, make some room for greenery, even if you just a place a pot plant atop a table. It will help tie in the area to the surrounding garden. Fairy lights, garden torches and citronella candles will also help set the mood and keep the mozzies at bay, while soft furnishings such as waterproof rugs, pillows and chair cushions will add personality. For something striking, consider adding a water feature or wall garden. If you're ready to hire a landscape professional to help you with the job, browse our directory here!