Even if you are looking forward to some relief from the heat and humidity, admit it: the idea of trading warm nights on the patio for icy evenings spent inside is enough to make you cringe. Many Susquehanna Valley residents are now extending their outdoor living season with spaces designed for use all but just a couple months out of the year.
“It’s not just a patio. It’s a place for family and friends to gather and enjoy themselves,” says Jarod Hynson, president of Earth, Turf and Wood in Denver (www.earthturfwood.com). He continues, “You don’t have to travel. [If] you decide last minute to have a get together, it’s right outside your back door. It becomes your own little oasis.”
Hynson also notes that people have been more inclined to invest in their existing home, rather than make a new purchase.
It’s not often you get to see behind the scenes into the home (or in this case, the outdoor space) of the designers, but Hynson and his team took outdoor entertaining to a new level with a recent addition to his home in Mohnton, and they are opening the doors. The space was originally designed as a showroom for clients, but it also provides a place for family gatherings and non-profit functions. It is bursting with the most up-to-date amenities, including a 32-foot-long, cutting-edge kitchen and a custom-built fireplace. The 22-by-60-foot spruce post and beam overhead structure provides protection from the elements and was treated with a food-safe bug repellent.
A two-year research and development phase resulted in a new stainless steel and teak waterproof synthetic option for outdoor kitchens that, Hynson says, is “built to last forever.” Advancements in technology have also brought about state of the art, energy efficient LED outdoor lighting, audio/video systems made to withstand any type of inclement weather and many fixtures that can be controlled remotely.
Hynson stresses the importance of taking your time when creating an outdoor space, and he recommends that homeowners focus on designing the area around what they want to use it for, rather than just size. He brings clients to his personal outdoor resort to generate ideas. “Most people don’t realize they can use a space like this in the cooler months. They think the season ends when you close the pool, but that’s just not the case anymore,” he says. “This type of space giv
es clients options that they never thought about: outdoor living areas that include pool environments, kitchens, fireplaces and so much more. The possibilities are endless.”
The pavilion and fireplace is what truly allowed Hynson to extend his outdoor entertaining into the spring and fall months–and it allows homeowners to take advantage of this type of investment in their home.
The four-foot-wide wood-burning fireplace in Hynson’s outdoor living area allows his
family to use the space from late March right through November. In fact, heat from the natural stone fireplace can to be felt up to 15 feet away. Once the fire is going, you could throw on a sweater, make some hot chocolate, put in a movie and be as comfortable outside as you would be inside. He also included a fire pit on the opposite end of the pavilion for added warmth.
“The kitchen can be winterized. The addition of heat lamps and retractable sides can extend the season even further–if it’s designed right, you can make an outdoor space a 10- to 12-month usable room.” He adds, “My dear wife Kristy has reminded me several times that I did all of this and didn’t put in a bathroom. Because she is always right, that will be coming in phase two.”
