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A recent landscaping project for
the Pesek family was highlighted by the construction of a very
unique outdoor kitchen. This was something of a challenging
outdoor room to build because it was planned in an area of
the yard that lies beneath street level. Thanks to a very
methodical and systematic survey and planning procedure we use
we use in developing landscape master plans, we were able to
develop a workaround to this design build challenge.
A survey of the property, along with the subsequent model of the
proposal that we developed, showed us the exact degree of grade
elevations we were facing, and provided us with all the
necessary data to accomplish our mission. Instead of relocating
the structure to a less convenient higher point on the
landscape, we were able to design a special, silent, hidden
water pump that would drain waste water from the structure and
send it into the main drain system of the yard.
A number of specialized features and appliances were also added
to this outdoor kitchen in order to make it so operational that
no one ever has to run inside. One of the more unique of these
features of this outdoor kitchen was a custom smoker that
allowed our clients to barbecue and to smoke specialty meats
from the convenience of a central outdoor food preparation area.
We also added side burners next to the stove that were intended
of use in preparing such fare as heated sautés, soups, and
chili.. This frees up more stove space for preparing meats and
vegetables, and it allows the cook to still keep a close eye on
side dishes while they are being prepared.
Because so many outdoor events are hosted after sunset, it is
very important that any outdoor kitchen have superior
night lighting. In addition to standard room lighting, we
also installed a special task light just for cooking. The
quality of this fixture allows even the finest textures and
colors in foodstuffs to be clearly seen on even the darkest
nights.
We then installed a stainless steel sink and an instant water
heater in the outdoor kitchen. For food storage, we added an
outdoor rated refrigerator. In addition to functioning on fully
equivalent level to indoor refrigerators, it is specifically
engineered to withstand the climatic and temperature variances
associated with outdoor use.
The Peseks had requested that we do more than build this
structure as simply a place for cooking food. They wanted a
special an outdoor living experience, replete with décor and
amenity, that they could share with family and close friends.
One of the things they did not want were the standard stainless
steel cabinets and drawers that are typically used in outdoor
buildings. Instead, they felt that custom mahogany cabinets and
drawers would better establish a sense of warmth and invitation.
To further develop this sensibility, we built a
fireplace for them in the center of one wall. We also added
several fin furnishings to create the atmosphere of an outdoor
living room. When you sit in these sofas, you enjoy a superb
view the landscape, because the outdoor kitchen is built at a
terminus point of the whole yard, and lies in a direct line of
site from the
swimming pool.
Finally, to complete the feeling of the finest
Houston outdoor living you can imagine, we installed a fully
operational sound and entertainment system in the room. Now, the
Pesek’s can prepare a full course dinner for special guests and
enjoy a movie, CDs, or, on cooler nights of the year, a warm
conversation by the fireplace.
For more the 20 years
Exterior Worlds has specialized in servicing many of Houston's
fine neighborhoods.
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