Four outdoor living transformations for Southwest Florida.
Southwest Florida living is centered on the outdoors, but a backyard that survives our sub-tropical climate takes more than good taste. Heavy summer downpours, humidity, salt air and relentless sun decide what will still look right in ten years. Four projects from this month, across Naples, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Estero and Fort Myers.
A Fort Myers backyard rebuild.
Travertine, chosen for temperature
Light French-pattern travertine stays cool underfoot through an August afternoon, which is the difference between a patio that gets used and one that gets looked at.
A fire pit as the anchor
A built-in gas fire pit gives the lounge a reason to exist after sunset, with low-maintenance turf striped between the pavers.
Planting that belongs here
Clusia hedging for privacy alongside Foxtail and Areca palms, all drought and salt tolerant. More in our hardscape and paver work.
Inside a Naples outdoor kitchen.
Marine-grade 316 stainless
Not the 304 most outdoor kitchens use. 316 contains molybdenum and resists the chloride corrosion salt air produces, which is why it belongs anywhere near the water.
Granite, sealed for real use
A leathered slab, sealed against heat, ultraviolet light and food preparation, carrying a 36-inch marine-grade grill, side burners and a built-in refrigerator.
A ledge that keeps guests close
Bar height, marking where the kitchen ends and the pool deck begins. See the range in our custom outdoor kitchens.
A perimeter overflow spa on a waterfront lot.
A spa that spills 360 degrees
Raised, with a continuous overflow into the main basin, finished in dark iridescent glass tile.
A sun shelf at nine inches
Shallow enough for in-pool loungers and an umbrella sleeve, deep enough to be worth sitting in.
Built for a summer storm
Generous decking and dedicated drainage, with automation and saltwater sanitation. See our pool and spa design.
Solving an unshaded Naples pool deck.
Aluminium over timber
Powder-coated extruded aluminium, because wood rots, warps and feeds termites in this humidity.
Louvers to 140 degrees
Full sun, filtered shade, or a sealed roof when the rain arrives, by remote or rain sensor.
A deck that became a room
Recessed motorised screens for wind and insects, lighting built into the beams. See our pergolas and shade structures.
Common questions.
What grade of stainless steel should a coastal outdoor kitchen use?
Marine-grade 316. Standard 304 is common in outdoor kitchens, but 316 contains molybdenum and resists the chloride corrosion caused by salt air. Anywhere near the water in Naples or on Marco Island, 316 is the correct specification.
How deep should a pool sun shelf be?
Around nine inches. Shallow enough to hold in-pool lounge chairs and an umbrella sleeve, and still deep enough to be worth sitting in on a hot afternoon.
Why choose an aluminium pergola over wood in Florida?
Humidity, termites and heavy seasonal rain make timber a maintenance liability here. Extruded, powder-coated aluminium will not rot, warp or attract termites, and motorised louvers rotate up to 140 degrees for full sun, partial shade, or a sealed roof during a downpour.
Eleven consecutive Best of Houzz awards · 2020 HGTV People’s Choice Award, Cape Coral
Bring your property to us.
If you are considering a project in Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs, or anywhere in Southwest Florida, we would be glad to begin a conversation. Rob personally reviews every inquiry.
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