Lavish Landscapes

However, there are some instances in which stone might not be the most practical option. While natural stone pavers might be popular for the driveways of high-end homes, Kopfmann tries to bring other materials into the mix. “Some driveways get fairly long, and the paver gets too busy,” he says. “I’ll do some pavers at the entrance, surrounded by a couple of pillars. Then I’ll use asphalt and start pavers again closer to the home. They have to be set back to give the full effect.”

In high-traffic patios near the home, consider a concrete paver in lieu of stone, suggests Josh Koller, a designer for Southview Design, a landscaping firm in Inver Grove Heights. Not only do today’s pavers have the look and feel of their natural counterparts, but they’re more ergonomically friendly. “I’m generally doing natural stone away from the house, such as in firepit areas, because it can be rough on your feet,” Koller says. “Pavers are much easier on the legs.”

A Place to Gather

The explosion of firepits and outdoor fireplaces, combined with enhanced decks and elaborate patios, represents homeowners’ desires to create entertainment spaces that extend to the outside. A fireplace might be a freestanding structure near the home, complete with mantel and chimney. Firepits, on the other hand, are often set at a distance from the house as a separate gathering spot.

Decks are changing, too: No longer just a rectangular platform on wood posts, they are now extensions of the home. “More homeowners are doing stone columns that match the house to support the deck, versus just a beam,” Kopfmann says.

Lavish accents add to a deck’s appeal. “People use cedar hand-rails and aluminum or twisted wrought iron as balusters,” Messer says. “It makes decks look much more styled and ornate.”

Decks can become their own rooms. For one client, Sweeney is installing a copper roof supported by architectural posts, lighting, sound systems, a fireplace, and kitchen. Often unused, the space underneath an upper-level deck can easily be converted into a room all its own, too. “We can create a sophisticated, dry underbelly of the deck that allows for ceiling fans, tongue-and-groove treatments, and lighting so that when you’re under the deck, it feels like your living room,” Sweeney says.

Outdoor spaces are also valued as places to retreat. Koller encourages his clients to create special spaces away from the house. “They really get the sense that they’re far away,” he says. “It allows them to feel that this is a vacation spot, this is where we go to relax.”

Sometimes, simply seeing a peaceful space encourages relaxation. “If you can see a sitting area in a distance, your mind travels to it,” Kopfmann says. “It may be remote, but overlooking the lake. It gives a pleasing effect even if you don’t go to it.”

If you want to create an intimate space closer to your house, consider adding a porch. Forgotten in the heyday of suburban developments, porches are making a comeback in high-end new homes and remodels. “You can hear the wonderful sounds of the outdoors and enjoy the birds during the course of the day,” Ray says.