All Decked Out
By OCinSite At-Large | November 02, 2011 1:31 PM
By Somer Flaherty
Photos by Robert Hansen
On most days, Californians are inseparable from the outdoors. Those fortunate enough to have a deck or balcony off their abode take advantage of the ample afternoon sunshine, cool evening breezes and copious barbecuing opportunities. Distinct from the typical patio, porch or courtyard, a deck or balcony offers a raised platform—where views of the Pacific or the local canyons can be captured. In the following local homes, designers incorporated a bevy of architectural and design elements, including color, texture and furniture to transform staid outdoor areas into unique entertaining (and relaxing) spaces for homeowners and their lucky guests to enjoy. If you’ve been contemplating your own outdoor oasis, step outside and see how the experts kick it up a notch.
Inside Out
Kit Lietzow has readily absorbed the Californian fascination with deck life. A veteran of the local design scene (Kit is well-known for designing the interiors and poolside lounge areas of Dana Point’s The Strand at Headlands), he finished his own property in the Temple Hills neighborhood of Laguna Beach in 2005.
The custom home, which is tucked into a hillside overlooking Main Beach, was the union of Kit’s design background and the work of architect Geoff Sumich. “My talents took me to knowing how I wanted the rooms to lay out and what the flow would be, so I was able to put on paper the floor plans for all three levels, but I had limitations,” Kit says. “It took Geoff to introduce ideas I hadn’t even thought of.” The design union between the two produced what can only be called an awe-inspiring home with an equally impressive 60-foot deck.
Sparing all manner of hardwoods, Kit opted to make the deck out of a deep sand color-infused concrete. While a massive sliding glass door allows the common space to transform into a spectacular outdoor living room in a matter of minutes. “It’s just the coolest thing,” Kit comments. “Because of the opening—that’s probably 20 feet wide—it feels like the interior is a cabana for the outdoor space.” With the sliding door open, the house welcomes the enviable Laguna Beach climate, and the beach views are no longer an abstraction seen through a glass door or window from the climate-controlled interior.
“Getting an indoor-outdoor space was an absolute must for this environment,” he says of the hillside lot. Kit infused that environment with custom design touches like the McGuire teak dining table he shortened the legs on to use as a cocktail table on the deck. He also added a variety of seating possibilities including a sofa, chairs and double chaises the size of a bed.
“It’s a great place for gathering. We’ll get 20 people gathered around the deck for cocktail hour.”
Smart design elements like the glass railing help to maximize the stellar view. “I’ve had decks with horizontal bar railings, and they always seem to make you bob up and down to see the view,” he says. “When you’re sitting there, there’s always a bar hitting the wrong spot.” The use of glass easily eliminates this issue, and allows one of the very best features of the property to shine.
Paradise Found
Architect Chris LeTourneau is accustomed to creating beautiful homes in extraordinary places, but being born and raised in Laguna Beach, he has a special appreciation for the beauty of the local landscape here.
When the 29-year-old architect was approached to help Laguna Beach couple Jim and Lisa Chretien fully realize the potential of their home, the effect was faithfulness to the contemporary design Chris is drawn to, while still utilizing the potential of the original residence. The key was to open up multiple exterior walls onto the dramatic deck area while incorporating a fresh new pallet of raw materials.
“It was important to us to not lose the original architecture of the home and keep the angles and lines intact,” Jim says. “And Chris really succeeded with that; this is the best outdoor space we’ve ever had.” Jim says he hasn’t had to turn on the air conditioning all year thanks to the indoor and outdoor functionality of the space.
Chris and LeTourneau Architecture’s Nick Sheridan admit modern architecture can have a reputation of being sterile, but the Chretien’s home in Wood’s Cove is anything but. Unexpected spaces abound throughout the residence, take, for example, the exposed structural heavy timber beams and the tongue-and-groove ceiling that pass through the exterior threshold, creating continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces.
The Brazilian walnut deck, which extends out into the home’s landscape, creates a large outdoor platform to take in views of the surrounding old timber growth in the area. In another decked area of the home, large multi-slide doors allow for the entire house to freely open to the exterior, where a chilled plunge pool meets a spa clad in Travertine and a textured water wall aids in relaxation.
Chris is more than pleased with the results of his contemporary balancing act, as it’s a welcoming home that both embraces warmth and good design, while allowing its occupants to truly utilize the unique space. “We don’t intend to go anywhere,” Jim says. “We really enjoy this home.”
How about you? Deck with a view? Hit us up on Facebook with pictures from your deck!
