Things are starting to shape up with our outdoor makeover project in Phoenix. It still requires a little imagination, but now that the pool finish is redone, and the travertine pool deck pavers are going in, things are coming together. The fire and water features are bringing in life to the recessed entertaining area and will be more welcoming as the new plants go in around them.

We will be posting more photos as things come together in the next few weeks. Check back to see how things turn out as we add the sail shades over the pool area and the new outdoor barbeque area complete with custom outdoor cabinetry and prep area.

One of the intangibles about outdoor living is the ambience.  Does the space feel inviting?  Is it pleasant to be outdoors no matter what season it is or what time of day it is?  There are a couple of items to include to make the your backyard more comfortable.  One is adding a fire pit or fireplace.  A fireplace/fire pit gives you a cozy gathering place and provides warmth in the winter and as it cools off in the evening hours.  Plus you can even cook marshmallows or hot dogs on a stick.  The other item to include is good lighting.  Backyard lighting can be anything from string lights to LED planters to patio chandeliers.  You can see in the pictures below that adding a fireplace and lighting make a big difference in how the space looks and feels.   

Part of the outdoor living trend is that outdoor kitchens are almost as well-equipped for cooking as the main kitchen.  Besides the standard grill, other features include warming drawers, ice makers, cooktops, refrigerators, sinks, beer coolers, rotisseries, dishwashers, trash drawers, pizza ovens and lots of storage.  Outdoor cooking isn't just grilling meat anymore.  It's also preparing all the side dishes and chilling the beverages.  When the meal is ready, you can eat it in your outdoor dining room.  Next, you can wash the dishes, throw out the trash and relax by the fire in your outdoor living room.

The first outdoor living area we'll look at is the dining room.  Outdoor dining has come a long way from eating a burnt hot dog off a paper plate while balancing on a wobbly lawn chair.  New dining room sets are sturdier, more attractive, and more weather resistant than their predecessors.  Dining areas are more inviting and now incorporate features of indoor dining, like comfortable cushions, rugs, bright colors, and attractive table settings.  By adding fire pits or heaters, misters, canopies, and good lighting, you don't have to wait for the perfect spring afternoon to eat outside.  You can enjoy the outdoors even if the time or weather isn't perfect. 

In a recent survey of the American Society of Landscape Architects, they were asked to name the most popular elements in current residential designs.  Near the top of the list are outdoor living spaces, which we will look at more closely this week.  Very high ratings were also given to firepits/fireplaces, gardens/landscaping, lighting, patios/decks, and water features.  Outdoor rooms have become an extension of the home.  We don't just want to sit out on the patio--we want to be able to cook a delicious meal, eat at a comfortable table, and then relax in outdoor seating that feels like we're in the living room except that we have fresh air and a gorgeous view.  Below are examples of the more popular outdoor living trends. 

Zillow has a feature on their site called "Digs" that shows newly-remodeled rooms with estimates of the costs.  As expected, kitchens had by far the most traffic in terms of likes.  The number of likes ranged from zero to 995 for the most popular one.  The average remodel estimate was $56,000, but there wasn't a direct correlation between number of likes and dollars spent.  Some remodels well over $100,000 didn't have any likes at all.  There were many features that showed up consistently in the top kitchens:  lots of cupboard space, large islands, high-end appliances, wood flooring, and pendant/chandelier lighting.      

We've all dreamed of having a fully automated home ever since we saw them on futuristic TV shows when we were kids, but it's been a long time coming.  We could get a system for home security, another for heating and cooling, still another for our entertainment center, leaving us holding half a dozen remotes and not getting anything to work.  Thanks to some patient guinea pigs who had the Comfort System in their homes for several years and helped work the bugs out, we may be close to the real thing.  Cytech's technology can be used from any telephone, handheld remote, iPad, or computer and it integrates all of your home security, maintenance, entertainment, comfort, and communication systems.  It works so well that you can speak to someone at your front door using your intercom, water your lawn, start cooking your dinner, check to see if the kids are doing their homework, close the drapes, listen to your messages, and turn on your favorite TV show--all while you're stuck in traffic.  Some of the features are just fun, but others give you peace of mind by constantly monitoring your home and letting you know immediately if there's an emergency.

You may recall that right before Christmas, the David Wright house was sold soon after the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy was able to temporarily block the plans of the owners to tear down the house and build new ones. 

A ruling on the home's historical designation was scheduled to go before the city council today, but the new owner is requesting a 6-month extension to allow enough time to put together a comprehensive presentation for fully restoring the interior and exterior of the home and then opening it up for public tours.  

Frank Lloyd Wright built this home in 1952 for his son and daughter-in-law, David and Gladys Wright.  It has come to be known for its circular architecture, concrete block detailing, spiral ramps, and elevated living quarters as you can see in the photos below.  These pictures were taken at the last public showing of the house before it was sold.