A pretty dreamy addition to a patio or garden, a fireplace truly turns an outdoor space into another room. It provides a focal point and extends the usability of the space into a nighttime gathering spot, one that you can use even on chillier evenings. Combine with a water feature and have the best of both worlds...
Above the Jump: Designed by Vance Lorenzini, it's a poolside pavilion in Desert Hot Springs. The pavilion provides "shelter during the hot days and a cozy spot to hang out during the cool evenings".
Designed by Katharine Webster in the backyard of a Pacific Heights home. The firepit is "framed by two similarly elliptical benches outfitted with radiant heating for additional warmth".
Designed by Thuilot Associates in Berkeley. The fireplace stands next to a swimming pool and hot tub. It's concrete ledge invites lounging with square section of ipe decking in front that "signals that this is a gathering area".
Check out the entire article online or in the December 08 issue of California Home + Design.
Photos: Top: Scott Mayoral, Middle: David Duncan Livingston, Bottom:Thuilot Associaties all via California Home + Design
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Comments (14)
Whilst these outdoor fire places look stunning, to me they scream of over excessive indulgence. Really what practical heat could they provide - unless you are sitting right on top of the fire. If it is too cold outside go inside, or put a jumper on.
I see these and think - no wonder the environment is being destroyed, we cant help ourselves we just keep creating these stupid impractical indulengences to staisfy someones ego.
Well, thats my rant for the day....
I am kinda turned off as well. It just seems out of touch to me.
I just re-read AT's Mission Statement and in my opinion posts like this are out of touch not only as described above, but also with the goals of this site. One of the goals listed is to help people make their homes comfortable and beautiful while lessoning their reliance on "stuff." I know modern gets heavy play on AT, but just because something is of a modern style doesn't mean it necessarily belongs here.
/rant.
Ahhh, nothing beats the smell and sound of fake logs crackling in the middle of the day.
These spaces are stunning and have a sense of sanctuary that is really lovely. They are remarkably spare - with very little "stuff"- we often talk about living simply and clutter free on this site too. I think they are really beautiful and invite one to be outdoors in nature.
profumodibergamo - are you involved in any of these spaces personally?
I find the spaces beautiful as well, but only a very elite few could hope to put something like this on their own property. I can't even afford to visit a hotel or spa as nice as these!
How 'bout some outdoor fireplace ideas that are more in touch with 99.999% of your readers?
these small fires are really inconsequential to the environment
while i enjoy seeing the small, well-kept, urban abodes people keep out of necessity here on AT, i find these open-sky, close-to-nature, outdoors, open spaces really inspirational
seeing these photos, i can picture a lot of positivity. i see a large family, or a gathering of friends, enjoying a barbecue or a splash-around in the pool, kids running around, women with wine by the fire...and i think it's all just reward for someone working hard to achieve something as nice as this...
These photos are beautiful and though they are entirely out of my reach (my "outdoor space" is a fire escape that fits exactly 2 upright people:-)), I find them inspiring. I thought that was what this site was about.
they look nice. not my style, but nice. In SF though? Sorry I don't have the millions to have a huge house with a backyard pool and fireplace...
As I thought, no answer to the question. This post is so obviously an advertisement.
What does this have to do with apartment life? How many readers of this blog live in Pacific Heights mansions? Hello, earth to AT...
Through a series of searches for something entirely different in concrete construction, I came upon this bottom image. I am not elite and don't have collassal amounts of money, but given that my husband is a mason, we could build the top and bottom images together for relatively little expense. This would be beautiful, centered in back of the house, creating a focal point that is inviting and serene, and it would be practical for entertaining. Just a wonderful outdoor 'room'. Concrete, imagination, muscle and dead wood. A great do-it-yourself idea. Pool or no pool.
Our construction of something like this work would have nothing to do with ego, but rather to create atmosphere and fun for those that we love. Although this scale is not appropriate for apartment living, one could certainly use it as inspiration for a smaller, even indoor space. Have you ever seen those little wall-mounted fireplaces, perfect for small spaces...? Wasn't this supposed to serve as 'inspiration'?
I agree with Khanzen....And I would not have to use 'fake logs' as I live surrounded by woods. I'd feed the fire with the sticks I picked up in the woods This is the internet and the images and articles reach more people than just those that live in California. I'm on the east coast.
(Now, my wheels are turning with some cool ideas for turning my son's stark college apartment into a warm, inviting place to study and hang out...hmmm).
Just a quick mention: the Pacific Heights fireplace (designed by Katharine Webster) was built by 'Rock & Rose Landscapes', a great landscaping company in Bernal Heights (www.rockandrose.com).