One of the unique aspects of our work is how we view landscapes — not as simply spaces to be filled with plants and to complement the home, but as extensions of interior living spaces. Which means we start thinking about the landscape immediately, even as the home design is still taking shape.

The process of creating an outdoor living space is really not much different from interior design. The same elements apply: contrast, scale, texture, colors etc. The task at hand is not only to find the perfect balance in how we apply those elements, but also to ensure a seamless transition to the indoors — and create private spaces inspired by our clients’ lifestyles and needs.

The homeowners of this waterfront home on Fox Island envisioned a modern home with plenty of outdoor living spaces that both invited guests to mingle and provided a private retreat. At the same time, we wanted the outdoor space to reflect the home’s juxtaposition of manmade materials next to imperfect ones.

We especially love the idea of using raw and primitive elements — often of massive scale. Designer David Hopkins is uniquely adept at using these raw components, sometimes merged with hard-edged ones, to carve out awe-inspiring “en plein air” rooms. The same approach was used for this project.

To create privacy — and form a distinct, outdoors living room — we made a recessed feature that drops down 3 to 4 feet and is reinforced with concrete walls. Five oversized, moss-covered rocks create a divergence from the perfect shape of those concrete walls while giving the room character. At 8 to 12 tons in weight each, the rocks appear to have been simply been found and pushed in — in reality, we had to use cranes to hoist them into place.

As with interior design, we looked for a balance between natural, imperfect-looking elements and strong shapes. Hardscapes and plants provide a contrast in texture and color. A fire pit adds to the feeling that this is an intimate, inviting space. The entire room hugs the surrounding landscape and at the same time connects to the home through a flat surface that provides a seamless transition from the outdoors in.

In any project, we would be amiss if we didn’t take advantage of the views, whether we’re designing indoor or outdoor living spaces. This outdoor living room has a perfect vantage point, providing a sweeping view of the water.

We were thrilled when Luxe magazine selected this project for its cover three years ago and still features it as one of its top exteriors. But even more thrilled to be part of an amazing journey with our clients.