SUGAR LAND HOMES Sweet Outdoor Kitchens The Collins outdoor kitchen boasts all the amenities of an in-home kitchen Written by Brenda Thompson Counter space is great for serving or dining Sugar Land Homeowners Share Trends in Al Fresco Entertaining T hink there are only a few good months out of the year that you can enjoy entertaining outside? Don t let our hot, humid summers or cold, wet winters fool you. Like many Sugar Land families, the Thrutchleys and the Freys, had been dreaming of outdoor living spaces for years that would help them enjoy the great outdoors and the company of their family and friends. Both families soon learned there are many design options to consider in making your space unique. START WITH THE BASICS There are obvious choices like a grill, small refrigerator, or sink. But where to begin? Ask yourself how often you plan to entertain and the average size group will it be just your family or larger groups? Knowing this information will help you decide how much counter space you ll need for meal prep and buffets and the size of the grill you ll need. 34 sugar land magazine Visit SugarLandMagazine.com for Sugar Land jobs, events, news and more.
For some, a sink is a must have. We wanted a sink with hot water and a garbage disposal for easy clean-up, especially when dealing with raw meat and cleaning vegetables, says Sherry Frey. For some the cost to run sewer lines, water and more to get it fully functional is not worth the extra expense. For most, a refrigerator is more than just a handy extra. A small refrigerator was essential and replaced the need for coolers at large parties. It also gives you a place to store extra summer treats or marinating meat before it is grilled, says Frey. Wrought iron, cast aluminum and plastic wicker are very popular furniture choices and long-lasting. Cast aluminum is heavy so I don t have to worry about the pieces blowing away in a storm. It has rich detail with low maintenance, says Frey. Choose cushions made of durable fabric that won t mildew or fade. Our sofa is plush and feels like an indoor sofa. On a beautiful day you forget that you are outside. It is a great place to lounge and read a book, she says. This pass-thru serving bar is perfect for a simple poolside lunch The beautiful wicker and iron outdoor furniture and decor brings the comfort of the inside outdoors To advertise, call 281-579-7944 or email sales@sugarlandmagazine.com sugar land magazine 35
Wrought iron, cast aluminum, and plastic wicker are very popular outdoor furniture choices and are long lasting. This outdoor arbor area creates a lovely atmosphere over this family s grill 36 sugar land magazine Visit SugarLandMagazine.com for Sugar Land jobs, events, news and more.
Outdoor space by Sunset Pools NEW TRENDS IN OUTDOOR KITCHEN AREAS Well-Placed Lighting Well-placed lighting will not only enhance your area s ambiance, but will also allow you to visit with your friends and family long after the sun sets. Task lighting and grill lighting even helps when grilling while it s dark. Get your Career on Target at Champions School of Real Estate! Real Estate Loan Officer Inspector Appraisal Pre-Licensing and Continuing Education Brokers Licensing and Designations State Exam Prep Course for all licenses Daytime, Evening or Weekend courses in the classroom Correspondence courses (through Lone Star College Tomball #0123) Online courses at: www.championsschool.com TREC Provider #0005 Open to the Public West Campus Galleria Campus FM 1960 Campus (281) 496-7386 (713) 629-4543 (281) 893 4484 Extra Electrical Outlets Don t forget to include extra outlets for special occasions like holiday lights, extra fans and more. Fireplaces and Ceiling Fans Our favorite feature is the Tuscan fireplace built into the gabled roof structure, says Cam Thrutchley. Functionally, the fireplace warms the space in the colder months, and the roof structure and ceiling fan provide plenty of shade and ventilation in the summer months allowing for year-round entertaining. Audiovisual Accessories Wire your kitchen area for surround sound stereo and you ll set the mood more easily. Another trend is to include a television that appears at the touch of a remote. Both take living to the ultimate outdoor experience. Buffet Essentials If you plan to entertain for large groups, adding extras like drop-in buffet warming dishes or coolers are nice to have so that everything stays at the right temperature and is a handy self-service area. The wrought iron table is beautiful and sturdy against the outdoor elements Well-placed lighting will not only enhance your area s ambiance, but will also allow you to visit with your friends and family long after the sun sets. To advertise, call 281-579-7944 or email sales@sugarlandmagazine.com sugar land magazine 37
Safety Concerns Take some time to safeguard your area and you ll be able to breathe a little easier. Potential gas leaks were our main concern, says Thrutchley, so the contractor put in a double block for the gas line with the main block valve put in a closed-off location that is off limits for the kids. We also added a texturizing additive to the stained concrete to prevent slipping, says Frey. Many choose brick for outdoor living areas Photo coutesy of Apes Pools GETTING STARTED Gather Your Ideas Don t start building until you know what you want, says Thrutchley. Be sure to check with your neighborhood s deed restrictions and get approval to build if necessary. Investing in some outdoor kitchen and landscaping magazines is a great way to collect pictures of your favorite ideas. Lastly, Thrutchley recommends laying out the space with a garden hose and furniture. This helped us realize where our spacing was right and wrong, he says. Find a Builder A good idea is to get a few references that are about a year old so you can ask the customer how responsive the builder was to warranty issues says Johnny Daniel, a local pool builder. References over five years old will also give you an idea of how well the products have held up over time. Ask your builder how long they ve been in business. There are so many good subs out there that it s easy to go into business, says Daniel. You want a builder who makes a reasonable profit and sticks around to warranty his product, not just make his truck note, he says. Your kids will have so much fun at Dr. Ben s, they may not want to go home! Taking your kids to the dentist has never been easy, until now! In fact, once they come to see Dr. Ben, they usually don t want to go home. That s because with I-Theater headsets, ceiling mounted flat screens, arcade, and a mini theatre, it feels more like a theme park than a dental office. But you can be sure that even with all the fun things to do, your kids will still get the latest quality dental care to keep their smiles healthy and sparkling. Dr. Ben Villalon Pediatric Dentist 20 Yrs. Exp. Special Care For Your Kids Laser (Star Wars) Dentistry No Shots, No Drills Mini Theatre Arcade I-Theater Headsets Digital X-Rays Braces Comfort and Convenience For You Reception Area Massage Chairs WiFi Internet Access Orthodontic services provided by pediatric dental specialist 103 Fluor Daniel Dr. Sugar Land, TX 77478 713-272-0036 www.happysmiles4kids.com 38 sugar land magazine Visit SugarLandMagazine.com for Sugar Land jobs, events, news and more.
Both the Thrutchley and Frey families agree that their new additions have enhanced their homes and have allowed them more time to spend with their own family and friends. With gas prices inflating and air fares rising, why not make the investment in your back yard and spend more time with your family? says a local outdoor décor store manager. With an outdoor living space, you can take a vacation every day in your backyard! SLM BRENDA THOMPSON is a freelance writer, mother of two and lives in Sugar Land. She has lived in the Houston area for more than 25 years and appreciates a beautiful outdoor living space in our sometimes hot, humid weather! What s Hot in Outdoor Living Spaces Outdoor spaces that look like the indoor spaces Massive, soaring fireplaces made of cut stone Unique Unique flooring and walkways Large-sized custom kitchens Artwork, fabrics, and finishes that can endure the elements Source: Adapted from rismedia.com To advertise, call 281-579-7944 or email sales@sugarlandmagazine.com sugar land magazine 39