This Houston outdoor kitchen and entertaining area offers a modern take on Mediterranean style. Designed and built by Outdoor Homescapes of Houston, this fully loaded family and entertaining space echoes the stucco, travertine tile patio and Mediterranean style of the existing home while exuding a more modern, transitional style. “This was a high-profile client – both VPs of different oil and gas companies who entertain affluent guests on a regular basis – so they wanted to make sure they had high-end appliances and all the latest amenities they could order,” says Lisha Maxey, senior designer for Outdoor Homescapes and owner of LGH Design Services in Houston. “They also have two kids, ages 7 and 10, and wanted a family gathering space that better accompanied their new, luxurious pool.” What really sets apart this outside kitchen design idea, however, is the way the elements are used throughout the space. “Usually, outdoor kitchen designs for a backyard are grouped into one island or cabinet,” explains Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. “But here, the patio, roof and fireplace were all in place, separated by stucco columns, and the outdoor kitchen elements had to work around them.” A 14-foot-long cooking island houses a built-in Fire Magic grill with a Magic View Window (allows the chef to check on food without lifting the lid and losing valuable heat). The island, the countertop of which is "Carnaval" granite from Lackstone, also features a Fire Magic power burner, warming drawer and trash drawer. On one side of the fireplace, forming an “L” with the cooking island, sits a built-in Primo ceramic grill. On the other side of the fireplace is a 3-foot-long cabinet housing a bar with a wine cooler, ice maker and upper cabinet. And finally, just outside the patio door is a 7-foot-long cabinet with a modern Kohler sink with a high-arc Moen faucet (sink and faucet from Faucets Direct), a trash drawer and another upper cabinet. Outdoor Homescapes of Houston, by the way, outfitted both cabinets with glass inserts, custom pulls and three-way sensor lighting. “At the beginning, this was basically a blank space with a fireplace in the middle,” says Maxey. So Outdoor Homescapes upgraded the fireplace with Austin Stack Stone in white (No. 401) from Colorstonescreenshot vickers mosaic tile rectangle. "The stone added that pop,” notes Maxey. The fireplace’s espresso-colored, distressed wood mantel (from Mantels.com) and upper wood cabinets were both stained with the Minwax color Jacobean. The ceiling fans were also updated with ones featuring similarly espresso-colored, wooden fan blades, to match. The table in the middle - a cast-iron, Mediterranean style gem with hand-forged scrollwork designs from Patio 1 in Houston – seats 10. “We wanted this kind of Mediterranean feel,” says Maxey. “We wanted rustic, but the appliance package was so new, with all its stainless steel, so we kept a the cabinets and the columns stucco instead of stone for a more clean, modern look and then did the custom tile backsplash and mosaic in more of a rustic, Mediterranean look." The backsplash is a 1-inch travertine tile background with 4-inch square metallic insets, both from Floor & Decor. The tile for the 18-by-24-inch rectangle mosaic came from Great Britain Tile Co. and included a Dianno Reale tumbled border and background. The bronze, diamond-shaped insets are tumbled Dark Emperdor tile and the scrolls are tumbled Noce tile. The client, who admits they have high standards, was more than pleased with the project – especially browsing through Outdoor Homescapes’ vast library of patio kitchen design ideas, the 3D virtual video tour that let them preview the project from every angle before construction. They also liked the personalized design consultation. "OH provides a very neat service where one of their designers will either shop/buy for you or shop with you for the more detailed pieces that will finish your home," reads the client's review on Houzz. "This was a very positive, personalized feature ... Lisha helped narrow down an enormous marketplace of materials and finishes to a few we could choose from."

Inspiration for a contemporary backyard patio in New York with an outdoor kitchen and a roof extension.

Design ideas for a mediterranean backyard patio in Houston with an outdoor kitchen and a roof extension.

Inspiration for a contemporary patio in San Diego with an outdoor kitchen and a roof extension.

Mid-sized arts and crafts backyard patio in Chicago with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone pavers and a roof extension.

Two different ceiling treatments define these two outdoor rooms. The seating area has a wooden trey ceiling, and the dining and grilling area has exposed beams. Daniel Newcomb Photography

Jim Schmid
Large traditional backyard patio in Charlotte with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone pavers and a roof extension.

Photo of a large transitional backyard patio in Orlando with an outdoor kitchen, tile and a roof extension.

Photo of a large transitional backyard patio in Phoenix with an outdoor kitchen, tile and a roof extension.

Dining alfresco this evening?
Large side yard patio in Other with an outdoor kitchen, concrete pavers and a roof extension.

The vaulted ceiling with a gabled roof really opens up the space. The ceiling is Woodtone English Porter prestained tongue and groove. The columns and beams are wrapped in stucco to match the home. TK Images

An outdoor kitchen, complete with streamlined aluminum outdoor cabinets, gray concrete countertops, custom vent hood, built in grill, sink, storage and Big Green Egg sits at one end of the covered patio and a lounge area with an outdoor fireplace, TV, and casual seating sits at the other end. A custom built in bar and beverage station with matching raw concrete countertops provides additional entertainment space and storage when hosting larger parties and get togethers. The bluestone patio and cedar tongue and groove ceiling add a luxurious feel to the space.

Un projet de patio urbain en pein centre de Nantes. Un petit havre de paix désormais, élégant et dans le soucis du détail. Du bois et de la pierre comme matériaux principaux. Un éclairage différencié mettant en valeur les végétaux est mis en place.

Outdoor Living space with outdoor kitchen with built-in grill. Sliding doors to the outdoor space with steel and glass. The pool has beautiful blue tile for a pop of color along with a cabana + half bath. The pool has concrete stepping stones along with separate hot tub jaccuzi and shallow area. Plus swim up bar with 3 barstools in the pool.

Covered back patio porch with grilling and dining area
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard patio in Chicago with an outdoor kitchen, concrete pavers and a roof extension.

Photo Credits-Schubat Contracting and Renovations
Photo of a country backyard patio in Milwaukee with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone pavers and a roof extension.

This is an example of a large transitional backyard patio in Denver with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone pavers and a roof extension.

Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard patio in Phoenix with an outdoor kitchen, concrete pavers and a roof extension.

Large country backyard patio in Orange County with an outdoor kitchen, concrete slab and a roof extension.