Best Outdoor Living AreaPRODUCT DESIGN
Builder/Remodeler
$5,000,001 - $7,000,000
Residential
In Florida, the best room in the house is often the one without walls. This outdoor living area was designed as the true social heart of a contemporary lakefront retreat.
The Design Challenge: The original outdoor space didn’t take full advantage of the lakefront setting, and the existing pool and limited covered area fell short of a home where entertaining is a way of life. The renovation called for a complete rethinking of the outdoor environment — more shade, more function and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living.
Architectural Design & Spatial Function: The lanai was reconceived as a series of connected gathering zones:
• An extended lanai roof creates generous covered living space that works through Florida’s sun and seasons
• A full outdoor kitchen, bar and lounge area designed specifically for entertaining
• A continuous flow that lets the home spill outdoors, guests gather at the fire table, the outdoor bar or the pool’s sun shelf while staying connected to one another
Materials, Finishes & Features: Every selection was made for warmth, durability and a sense of place:
• An imported Italian pizza oven anchors the outdoor kitchen as both a focal point and a functional centerpiece
• Walls and ceilings clad in a durable wood-look material that withstands Florida’s climate while delivering the warmth of natural wood
• Silver Limestone and Antalya White Limestone across the pool deck, lanai and entry, sourced from the quarry in a single batch so the natural variation flows beautifully throughout
Innovativeness & Livability: The original pool was removed and replaced with a larger custom pool featuring sun shelves overlooking the lake. A circular spa sits within one of the sun shelves, creating a sculptural focal point while remaining integrated with the pool. A privacy wall behind the spa adds balance and a sense of seclusion.
Appropriateness & Effectiveness: This space was designed for homeowners who entertain constantly and host family often. Every decision, the extended roof, the pizza oven, the sun-shelf spa, serves a lifestyle of effortless indoor-outdoor gathering against a lakefront backdrop.
The Result: An outdoor living area that functions as the social anchor of the home — luxurious yet relaxed, where conversation, laughter and lake views carry effortlessly from afternoon into evening.