Design: Stepping Out

When one of Jim Lucia’s clients asked to have "power burners" installed in her new al fresco living space, the Winter Park-based home designer admits he had to do some investigating. In the world of outdoor living, it seems, change is swift.

"There is a new incarnation of [outdoor appliances]," says Lucia, founder and partner in Lucia, Kassik and Monday. "There’s a whole new generation of product."

Indeed, as new technologies and materials have made it possible to create increasingly elaborate outdoor living spaces, people are investing in their backyards, porches, patios and pools like never before.

"Everything is going outdoors, and [outdoor living areas] are resembling those at high-end hotels or lake retreats," notes Paul Pistulka, CEO of luxury home builder Charles Clayton Construction.

For example, Pistulka says that industrial stainless steel, which is better able to withstand the elements, has allowed many homeowners to turn their patios into gourmet-style summer kitchens.

Gail Becker, who has been with Fireplace and Verandah since 1984, says she’s noticing the same increased interest in outdoor living. And she says her customers are willing to spend more to get the best—and most durable—products.

"The savvy customer knows the importance of buying quality goods," notes Becker. "Plus, more people are getting more designers to help them with their planning."

She says the two main reasons for the exceptional quality in today’s outdoor furniture are the fabrics and the frames.

"The outdoor living room in Florida has traditionally been limited because of the weather, moisture and mildew," Becker adds. "But with dyed acrylic fabrics such as Sunbrella for cushions, awnings and umbrellas, that has all changed."

Becker says the new fabrics bead water like never before and even include UV inhibitors to minimize sun damage. Bold new colors are also making a splash.

"Color is in," Becker states, noting that orange, melon and persimmon are starting to replace rusts, beiges and tans. "There’s also a resurgence of blue and green this year."

In addition to fabrics, Becker says that cast aluminum is replacing non-rusting cast iron while resin wicker is becoming extremely popular. Resin wicker looks like traditional wicker but stands up to the weather as well as any other type of outdoor furniture.

Lucia, a home design guru who’s been in business more than 30 years, says his philosophy has always been to make an effort to make the indoors and the outdoors come together. After all, he notes, year-round nice weather is one of the main reasons people move to Florida.

"More people are really getting into it now," Lucia says. "A lot has to do with a higher level of sophistication on the part of clients and the amount of information that’s readily available."

He notes that his clients are realizing the importance of planning outdoor areas not as an afterthought but in concert with the rest of the home. That holistic approach keeps the appearance consistent and the transactions seamless while adding plenty of usable square footage.

"You can go from a 2,000 to 3,000-square-foot home to a 4,000 to 5,000-square-foot home after tying everything together," Lucia says.

Landscaping is also crucial to creating an ideal outdoor environment.

Landscape architect Matt Martin, owner of the Fig and Vine in Orlando, says he has seen a major resurgence in his client base this past year.

"People are staying put longer," Martin says. "So they want to enjoy their homes." Most notably, he says clients are requesting more patios with pergolas as well as exotic gardens. "Right now, a lot of European gardens are being sought after, and Asian too."

Pergolas can link to a pavilion or they may extend from the home to an open garden feature such as a terrace or pool. Outdoor pavilions have also become popular as have larger spas and hot tubs and smaller swimming pools.

"I’ve done a 12-square-foot hot tub," says Lucia, who custom designs all his hot tubs and spas. "With the hot water off, it can serve as a pool in the summer then you can turn up the heat for the winter." He adds that some homeowners are also installing infinity-edge or zero-edge spas.

Not that pools are pass? In fact, Lucia just designed a pool for a home in Windermere that is perched on the second floor roof and accessible via steps from the third floor. "It’s zero edge," he says. "It looks like you’re in the lake."

Even in Florida, the occasional chilly night makes an outdoor fireplace desirable. But do your homework before making a purchase, says Becker.

For example, she says that fire-pits are still popular, but they do have sustainability issues since the ceramics and the wrought irons of most firepits last just a season before giving out. But she notes that manufacturers are starting to look at longevity concerns and are replacing those materials with cast aluminum and copper.

Becker adds that gas fireplaces, which cost about $5,000 including setup and gas lines, can be a good alternative to wood-burning models.

But if you want to feel the heat, spend a little less and feel like you’re on the Champs-?ys?s sipping a caf?au lait, you can get an outdoor patio heater for about $440.

Or perhaps you’d prefer to create a Roman ambience in your backyard oasis by adding burning cauldrons placed around the pool. "Firebowls are a great effect," says Pistulka.

And as it turns out, those power burners that Lucia was asked to install are reportedly the largest and most powerful grill-side cookers available, which easily accommodates large saut?pans and provides the high heat necessary for wok cooking and even deep frying a turkey.

Who knew?