Excelsior Outdoor Kitchen and Deck

Sunset Serene

A Challenging Site with Stunning Views

An outdoor kitchen and fire bowl on a deck defines the outdoor living space in this home’s backyard. The yard is flat and stretches out to a pond. Hardcover maximum had been reached. Not even a patio would be allowed. But the designer worked with city planners and a raised lower deck was approved.

outdoor kitchen with breathtaking view

An outdoor kitchen brings entertaining outdoors to a new level

Maximizing the Deck Space

  • Outdoor kitchen contain a grill side burner, and a cooler
  • Gar fire bowl sits on natural stone and is plumbed from below with gas lines
dark wood deck tucks under the deck to maximize square footage

Ipe deck tucks under the elevated porch for maximum square footage

A Video Story

"Design Process was absolutely wonderful"

Northern Tool Director – Real Estate + Facilities, Scott Stocke was looking for a way to dress up the property for employees. The project team created an outdoor patio with the Northern Tool logo inlayed in pavers. Engineering a new entry was a challenge! Scott says it was an amazing construction process that turned out "better than anybody expected it to be."

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Design Details

  • Deck is made of Ipe (also called Brazilian hardwood) and will last more than 20 years without preservatives. More importantly, it is a renewable resource.
  • New York Bluestone sits under the fire bowl on the deck.
  • Frost footings support the stone-clad kitchen structures.
  • Kitchen is wrapped in a weathered-edge Chilton & Fond Du Lac mix, matching the exterior stone on the home. Counters are Indiana limestone.

Backyard deck with fire bowl and native grass plantings

Planning Ahead for the Next Phase

Eventually, the outdoor kitchen, positioned on the deck, will have drop-down screens to enclose the area when necessary.

Excelsior backyard deck with outdoor kitchen panorma

Panoramic prairie views

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