Flag Stone Outdoor Space Complete!

There are multiple types of flooring you can use for Outdoor Living. Pavers, Concrete, Travertine Tile, and another popular trending looking is Flag stone. Here we are with a Flagstone patio and a cultured stone base pergola with a half moon firepit/bar and grill. Take a look at what we did here to give it that vertical presence in the backyard.

Flag Stone Before/ Concrete Footers Poured



Flag Stone Wide View

Flag Stone w/ Cultured Stone Bases and Rough Cut Cedar Pergola

After the final touches had been added you have a complete outdoor room with a half moon bar, rough cut cedar pergola, copper caps, decorative arches, and a grill area! These folks are all set for the summer!

From Deck to Decadence in three weeks

 We tried to work this client into the end of last year, but with timing it just didn't happen.  So the family moved to one of the first projects of 2012!  What we did here was take a 350 square foot decaying deck (with some unfortunate surprises underneath) and change it to a permanent part of their outdoor living space.  With over 8 tons of dirt brought in and 12 tons of stone to form the base and make the grade of land flat this is what we did.  You can hardly recognize from where it was three weeks ago to where it is now!

Here is the beginning pictures with the deck tear out.

Bi-Layer Deck

Flushed to the 3 seasons room

The next step was leveling the grade, bringing in dirt and pouring the footer for the Fireplace

stone and dirt brought in to patch some long term water damage under the deck

6 inch thick concrete fireplace footer

The third phase was to bring in the fireplace and than start building the patio foundation with a lifetime warrantied product (Reading Rock)

We also added a rounded step off the patio for a beautifully cut serpentine sidewalk that allows better access to and from their driveway

Cutting Paver Stone, laying of the pattern to the fireplace

Almost there

The last phase is where we did the grouting, clean up, and brought in their outdoor kitchen complete with a rounded 82 inch bar ledge for additional seating

Adding Lights to the rounded seat walls to the fireplace/ hooking up electric

Completed Project !  Just look at the first picture and scroll down to this!

The products used were the Chardonnay Stacked Cultured Stone for the fireplace, Bull Grill and Components in the Kitchen, Reading Rock Halfmark Series, and the little blue chairs were provided by the client :)

Pool is Open for the Summer!

Recent Project:
Outdoor Kitchen w/ Bull Angus grill
14 x 14 Venetian Pergola w/ Rough Cut Cedar
Pavers by Reading Rock
Custom 3 prong fire pit

Before Pergola by the Pool

Before Pavers/Pergola by the pool

Long Shote Before Pergola and Pavers

High Grade Shot Before Fire Pit and Pavers

Bull Grill Island/ Finished Pavers

Long Shot of Pergola with Pavers and Doggy!

High Grade Shot

New Project Design - Custom Bar and multiple fire features with clear polycarb roof



Custom w/ Outdoor Sectional Couch



Custom Overhead dims for concrete pour

Projects are starting to already be completed!

Due to the fantastic weather we have been experiencing here in the Midwest we have already started completing projects from design to delivery.  Take a look at what we did for this great space in Indianapolis.


Here is the space before.

Outdoor Space Pre Family Leisure

Space Overhead Spec

Kitchen Utility Stub

Anchoring Footers, aligning, leveling, kitchen

Western Red Cedar Pergola in, Polycarbonite Top Applied

Almost Done.....

Complete 1

Complete 2

Complete 3

With a deliverable of one day.....we got er done!

Saber Grill Reviews: A different way to cook!

I saw this grill out in Las Vegas and was immediately drawn to it based upon who was behind the design, engineering, and their overall goal in providing a high end premium infrared grill to the public that you couldn't necessarily find in your local hardware store.  After testing it for several months on everything from vegetables, fish, and steak we decided to pick it up as an alternative outdoor cooking method to the more conventional open flame.  Needless to say I was impressed, and I finally found a reputable non solicited review that matched my thoughts.  Take a look!  The pricepoint is reasonable, the construction is still the 304 weight that the premium grill consumer is looking for, and it cooks evenly.  What more could you want?

http://bbq.about.com/od/gasgrillreviews/gr/Saber-SS-500-3-Burner-R50SC0012.htm


You can use this code ONLY by purchasing this grill through Family Leisure and clicking on the link below

you can purchase a Saber online here at http://www.familyleisure.com/Grills

Remember to use PROMO CODE Rgrills5 at checkout to receive an additional 5% off!

November 2013 ******** Saber Grill Update**********

We have now proudly carried the Saber in our stores for over 2 years now and can claim to be one of their first dealers ever!  We were so pleased with the reviews that have come out since the inception of Saber and new to 2013 they are going to release a full range of outdoor kitchen components.  I will be updating this blog shortly with high rez pictures of the new items that will include double doors, a door/double drawer as well as a door/triple drawer combination, an outdoor fridge, and even a drop in cooler!

Get ready for another set of fantastic products at Saber for 2014!!!!!

Granite: More than you thought....

I've learned a lot about granite with this position because as things become more and more custom in Outdoor Living so do the products we need to carry.  There are actually III levels of granite in the country.  Even though the "extracting" and cutting of these granites remains the same the degree at which their properties and patterns change can be vastly different.  The "rating" of these granites is pretty subjective, but as you can see from the pictures the distinction from a Level I to a Level III is very apparent.  Take a look a the difference:

Uba Tuba Level I (Cutting Board)

Above is a very recognizable Uba Tuba Granite, looks great right?

Black Galaxy Level III

Above is an example of a Level III granite, this is called Black Galaxy, as you can see very notable color and ripple changes throughout the granite making this a Level III piece

This is just one of many Level III granite we can help you with as you make your outdoor living space your own!