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Outdoor living is no longer defined by simple picnic tables, folding chairs, and citronella candles. In fact, it's the leading edge in home design. And at its heart is the desire to grill and dine alfresco, as well as to entertain outdoors. Lee Anne White brings her talents as both a landscape designer and award-winning photographer to bear in this red-hot guide to one of the most sizzling aspects of home design: the outdoor kitchen. Bolstered by clever, recurring sidebars - The Essentials, Design Galleries, Details that Work, and Putting it all Together - this practical and inspirational book includes ground-to-sky information on planning and constructing an all-season kitchen, from choosing the right grill and cabinetry to long-lasting furniture, lighting, and accessories.
Includes 325 full-color photographs and 20 drawings.
Over 300 ideas covering today's range of outdoor kitchen equipment and furnishings plus top-notch design advice combine to create the only outdoor kitchen design sourcebook you'll ever need. Inside you'll learn how to make smart choices about what you really want in your outdoor kitchen and dining areas plus options for how to combine everything to create an outdoor environment that works for you.
Special features include:
- Details that Work section highlights a special element that can put its mark on an outdoor kitchen of any size.
- The Essentials section contains comparison charts that provide the most important information you need to make smart buying decisions.
- Design Galleries showcase even more options for everything from cabinetry and countertops to lighting, furnishings, and accessories.
- Putting it all Together provides case studies that show you dozens of outdoor cooking and dining spaces that work in a range of sizes, styles, and budgets.
From the Introduction
Do we really need another kitchen? Admittedly, more than one person posed that question when they heard I was writing a book on outdoor kitchens. But these folks obviously haven't had the pleasure of preparing and cooking food in a thoughtfully designed outdoor kitchen or relaxing and entertaining in a cozy outdoor room.
In truth, we probably don't need outdoor kitchens. But I have met homeowners who would gladly give up their indoor kitchens before parting with the one on their porch, patio, or pool deck. These homeowners are spending more time at home with their families and friends than ever before because they've discovered the joy of cooking and entertaining outdoors. And for me, that's the bottom line. An outdoor kitchen is about more than cooking food. It's about spending time with those we love, having fun preparing the food we eat, and rediscovering the natural world that's as close as our own backyards. Besides, you've heard it before - food just tastes better when it's cooked outdoors.
An outdoor kitchen doesn't have to be elaborate. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money. And it probably shouldn't look just like your neighbor's outdoor kitchen. That's because it should be designed based on the way you entertain as much as the way you cook. It may be as simple as a cozy grilling and dining area on a small deck or as complex as a custom-built kitchen with cabinetry and appliances in a poolside pavilion. As long as you use it and enjoy it and it meets your needs, that's all that matters.
Traditionally, the grilling season lasted from Memorial Day through Labor Day. But thanks to the interest in outdoor living and an onslaught of new products from manufacturers, it's not unusual for folks to grill out year-round now. What we're cooking outdoors has changed, too. It's no longer just burger and hot dog fare. These days, you'll find friends and family roasting chickens, deep-frying turkeys, smoking ribs, simmering a pot of stew, stir-frying vegetables, baking pizzas, and flipping flapjacks outdoors. And rather than retreating to the house when the food is ready, homeowners are spending their evenings under the stars, beneath a fragrant, rose-draped pergola, or gathered around an outdoor hearth.
In this book, you'll find ideas to help jump-start the planning process for your own outdoor kitchen. But even more important, we hope you'll gain a better understanding of the design process, because every outdoor kitchen really is different. We also hope the book will help you become a better shopper, and that if you team up with a designer or contractor, a better understanding of the design process will lead to a more collaborative relationship. In the end, we hope you'll keep in mind that it's really all about relaxing and having a good time with those you care about most.
About the Author
Lee Anne White is a landscape designer, writer and award-winning photographer specializing in landscape architecture and garden design. Her work has appeared in Garden Design, Better Homes and Gardens, and Country Living Gardener. She is the author of Water Garden Idea Book, Outdoor Living Idea Book, Backyard Idea Book, and Pool Idea Book, all published by The Taunton Press. |
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