Nature Calls

In Florida, where the weather is wonderful just about year-round, the lines between indoor and outdoor living spaces are happily blurring.

Architects, for example, are incorporating outdoor living spaces into new home designs, making the yard and garden part of the floor plan by installing walls of glass that slide easily and provide quick access to elaborate, amenity- packed patios and decks.

These outdoor "rooms," with their walls of earth, sea and sky, tend to be casual, but they don't stint on style. In fact, many outdoor living areas offer indoor-style furnishings, accessories and even electronics.

"Our clients are looking to make the exteriors of their homes as design savvy and comfortable as the interiors of their homes," says Christopher Phillips, owner of Phillips Environmental, a Clearwater-based design/build firm.

And their lists of must-haves include, of course, pools and spas. But increasingly buyers want outdoor kitchens, cabanas with dining areas, extended covered lanais or pergolas, and fireplaces or fire pits.

A pool, naturally, anchors most outdoor living areas. "A pool adds a destination that not only provides family activity and exercise opportunities, but also acts as a strong visual feature that's oriented to be viewed from inside the home," says Phillips.

Therefore, not just any pool will do. Phillips creates stunning infinity-edge pools as well as perimeter overflow pools and spas that make the water sit even with the deck or look as though it's disappearing into the horizon.

"In combination with a deep-color interior finish, these pools can provide an outstanding, mirrorlike reflection of the surrounding architecture or landscape," adds Phillips.

There's a lot going on below the water's surface, too. Sun shelves-built-in ledges eight to 10 inches deep-are perfect for lounging on a beach chair or chaise without being fully immersed. Alternately, bench seats with therapeutic jets imbedded in the wall provide the ultimate spa experience.

For dreamy special effects while soaking, fog machines and fiber-optic lighting can be installed under the pool edge coping or in fountains.

Pool lighting should be subdued and natural-like moonlight gently illuminating the scene. An outdoor fireplace or fire pit can provide light, ambiance and an irresistible place to relax. And the options for freestanding and built-in fire features are numerous.

GOING 'OUT' TO DINNER

While the pool may be the focal point, it's only one component of a fabulous outdoor living experience. Homeowners who love to entertain are creating more elaborate summer kitchens than ever, integrating as many restaurant-style features as the budget will allow-even pizza ovens and rotisserie grills.

"Eighty-six percent of the American population already has a grill, and in the next two years, 19 million others will be purchasing one," says Bob Estes, partner in The Outdoor Kitchen Store in Tampa. "In response to the outdoor kitchen boom, the industry is redeveloping itself. Manufacturers are adding unique features to appliances such as lights, attachments and temperature probes. It's all about functionality."

While grilling was once a male-dominated activity, there's no question the outdoor kitchen movement is being driven by females, says Estes. "Women are the designers," he says. "They want equal involvement. This adds an interesting dimension to the process."

By popular demand, Estes offers outdoor cooking classes for people who are intimidated by these newfangled grilling devices. "Sure, there's some technique required," he says. "But it's more about learning the art and enjoying the outdoor experience."

And how much does this entire "experience" cost? The price tag will vary widely, depending on features.

"The old rule of thumb was 10 percent of the home's cost for landscaping and about 15 percent for a basic pool/spa and deck," says Phillips. "You can move up to 25 percent for integration of water features, lanais, outdoor kitchens and other amenities."

Those other amenities might include radiant floor heating, where hot water runs through tubes embedded in the concrete floor. Although seldom needed in tropical climates, it might be just the thing to make chilly nights more enjoyable, especially in private outdoor bathing areas.

Yes, the outdoor bath is now super-chic, whether it's a shower off the master bath or a soaking tub in a serene garden area.

BACK TO THE BACK YARD

Indeed, times have changed. The front porch used to be where families gathered, neighbors dropped by and folks waved as they passed. Now, people tend to take refuge in their backyard resorts.

"While front porches are wonderful architectural features, they don't carry the lifestyle that covered areas near the back do," says Bill Lee, vice president of operations for Sabal Homes. "All of our homes are rear focused."

One MiraBay residence, the Tradewinds model in Apollo Beach, earned Sabal Homes a coveted Aurora Award in 2005 during the Southeast Building Conference. The creative design of the backyard space was cited by the judges as a determining factor.

The company wanted to provide a place where residents could escape the rain without necessarily coming inside the house. So its architects created a small cabana area off the rear. "People want someplace to go where their bathing suits won't drip all over the place, or to change," says Lee.

Half of Sabal Homes buyers opt not to screen their lanais, preferring to take full advantage of the water views, Lee adds.

Christopher Phillips of Phillips Environmental agrees that many folks are abandoning the pool cage concept, even in bug-prone areas, and going with insect-abatement mist systems and propane-driven mosquito eradication generators.

"It's all about feeling connected to the great outdoors," Phillips says, "but with comfort as well as style and sophistication."

Pat Kelley of Pat Kelley Interiors says good "exterior design" is getting much easier, thanks to a whole new range of options in weather-resistant fabrics.

"While most outdoor rooms are covered, they're not walled in, and in Florida we often have blowing rain," Kelly says. "So you want to select furnishings that have cushions that can be changed. Fortunately, fabric designs have gotten much more elegant.

Other indoor-style features adaptable to the outdoors may include sophisticated electronics, such as weatherproof audio and video equipment. The Mirage AquaVision flat-panel LCD television, for instance, is designed to be watched on your back patio, pool terrace or lanai.

The TV receives wireless transmission from a satellite dish, indoor cable or DVD player and has an all-weather aluminum enclosure to protect it from the elements.

NO PASSING TREND

While high-tech gismos might seem trendy, your exterior design shouldn't be, says Jeff Levey, partner-owner of Etruscan Tile & Bath in Tampa. Levey and other experts say to invest what's needed to do the job right and create lasting value.

"People are definitely going with better materials as long as the design looks timeless," notes Levey. "We play it right on the edge, but we're careful to ensure that what we do won't feel dated in five years."

Toward that goal, sometimes Levey is able repurpose salvaged materials, such as brick and tile, to help a new outdoor area blend better with an older home. "To do this you have to have good taste and know what's available," Levey says. "It gives a truly authentic look. Especially in homes that have so much character already, we want to be consistent with that character."

Levey and his partners give each project a unique look by combining different materials. "You could take one type of exotic stone and throw it down, but we add several different elements to it and incorporate a lot of patterns," Levey adds. "That's what sets it apart."

To complement elegant stonework, landscaping is key. Phillips Environmental suggests including landscaping immediately adjacent to the pool edge to eliminate the typical "runway look." But if you do, careful selection of plant materials is a must to eliminate leaves and flowers in the water. Choose an abundant and colorful selection of plants in containers that are easy to manage, and your tropical paradise will be flourishing in no time.

Cost or space shouldn't prevent you from achieving your own version of backyard bliss. Even if you carve out a tiny area with nothing more than a hammock, it could be the beginning of a fabulous room without walls.