Outdoor Dinner Terrace
A Modern Oasis: The Engineer Family’s Side Yard Transformation in Bellaire, Texas
In the serene, upscale neighborhood of Bellaire, Texas, the Engineer family envisioned transforming their side yard into a cozy yet multifunctional outdoor living area. To bring this vision to life, they turned to Exterior Worlds Landscape Design and Construction, a reputable firm renowned for their meticulous approach to landscape design since 1987. This project showcases their ability to blend aesthetics with practicality, creating a delightful outdoor space that aligns seamlessly with the family’s lifestyle.
Vision and Goals
The Engineer family’s primary goal was to develop a versatile outdoor space for dining and entertaining. Their wishlist included a dining terrace, a relaxing social area, and modern amenities such as a fire pit and an outdoor television. Despite the space constraints, every element was thoughtfully planned and executed to maximize functionality without sacrificing style.
Design and Layout
Exterior Worlds approached the project with a strategic vision, focusing on seamless integration of functional areas while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. The core of the design revolves around a series of floating concrete pads set amidst lush artificial turf. This arrangement not only provides a stable foundation for dining and lounging areas but also adds a contemporary touch by contrasting sleek concrete with vibrant greenery.
The Dining Terrace
The centerpiece of the transformation is the dining terrace, strategically placed in the side yard to utilize the available space fully. The terrace features a white dining table paired with sleek metal chairs, creating a crisp, modern look that invites relaxation. The table, set for four, is enhanced with elegant place settings and a vibrant pink rose centerpiece, setting a welcoming tone for family meals and casual gatherings.
Entertainment and Relaxation Space
Adjacent to the dining area is a cozy lounge space, equipped with plush seating and accent pillows in shades of gray and pink. This space is anchored by a built-in fire pit, serving as a warm and inviting focal point for evening get-togethers. Overhead, a retractable awning provides shade during the day, ensuring the space is comfortable and usable in various weather conditions.
Enhancing the entertainment options is a wall-mounted television next to the fire pit. This allows the family to enjoy outdoor movie nights or sports events, merging the comforts of indoor living with the appeal of the outdoor environment.
Lighting and Ambiance
Lighting is crucial in creating the desired ambiance for this outdoor haven. Exterior Worlds integrated a combination of hanging tree lights and café-style string lights to illuminate the area. The tree lights, encased in decorative spheres, emit a warm, inviting glow, while the string lights add a festive touch, perfect for evening gatherings. These elements ensure that the space remains functional and visually appealing even after sunset.
Reflection
The side yard transformation for the Engineer family is a stellar example of how thoughtful design can turn a previously underutilized space into a vibrant outdoor oasis. Exterior Worlds Landscape Design and Construction successfully fulfilled the family’s desires by creating a dining terrace, an entertainment zone, and a relaxing retreat, all within a cohesive and stylish framework. This project highlights the firm’s ability to marry functional design with aesthetic appeal, resulting in a space that significantly enhances the family’s outdoor living experience in Bellaire, Texas.
For those looking to create their own outdoor oasis, this project stands as a testament to the power of innovative landscape design in transforming small spaces into functional and beautiful living areas.
