Everyone needs a little design inspiration. And this time of year, our thoughts turn to the outdoors. Maybe you are looking to spruce up your outdoor space or perhaps build a whole outdoor room. We found some design inspo in these St. Louis homes featured in our “at home†stories.
A circular outdoor sofa surrounds the fire pit as a small waterfall trickles nearby on the first tier of the patio, surrounded by lush landscaping.
In 2023, Alison and Anthony Plaster found their dream home in Kirkwood. Alison’s favorite part of the home is the outdoor oasis that comprises the back of its double lot. It begins with a cozy screened porch off the family room leading to a deck for outdoor dining, and then down to a tiered patio that features soft seating around a fire pit, a waterfall and a pathway through lush gardens leading to a beautiful swimming pool. The previous owner, an avid gardener, planted perennials throughout the surrounding landscaping for continuous blooms and easy maintenance. Alison has taken over their care, learning and marking the various species.
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The raised deck offers a place for meditation from the stresses of everyday life as well as a gathering place for friends.
Heidi and Troy Stehr worked with Herring Design and Development to remodel and build an addition to their 1919 Kirkwood bungalow. In addition to a main floor primary suite, the Stehrs added a covered porch on the back of the house with a woodburning fireplace, TV and soft seating, as well as a detached garage with an office space above it for Troy.
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Laura Wilhelm’s parents built this covered deck for outdoor dining and entertaining. Two of the Wilhelms’ three sons attend college at Ole Miss and they proudly fly the university’s flag.
Laura Wilhelm and her husband, Ken, bought Laura’s childhood home in Des Peres and went to work making it their own. On nearly an acre, the private backyard includes a covered deck for outdoor dining overlooking the original swimming pool. Under the deck is a built-in bar area leading into the finished lower level.
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The covered outdoor patio works well for parties and for a comfortable space for the family to enjoy.
LisaRose and Chris Koon decided to build their house from the ground up in Frontenac, with LisaRose doing much of the designing with Lauren Strutman Architects. The outdoor room proved to be a great comfort to the family during the pandemic.
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During the pandemic, the Ruters renovated their backyard with the help of Magana Walls landscaping.
Mark and Stephanie Ruter renovated a 1923 duplex in the historic DeMun neighborhood of Clayton into a beautiful single-family home. During the pandemic, the Ruters tackled the outdoor space, which had consisted of grass with a small, brick patio that Mark says was “not functional.†Working with Magana Walls landscaping they removed the old brick and grass and put in pavers, then added a gazebo outfitted with comfy outdoor furniture as well as a hot tub. The new outdoor space is one of the family’s favorite spots in which to relax and entertain.
Artist, author and life coach Jan Groenemann moved into her house in St. Peters in 1977 and created a welcoming home and sanctuary over the years. She planted verdant gardens and introduced ponds and waterfalls. The 10-foot plain Jane deck that was originally attached to the house came down to make way for multiple decks, including a peaceful raised deck topped with a pergola.
Read about her home here.
The back porch is a favorite spot for the family to relax year-round. Post-Dispatch
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The Byers’ most recent project was adding a new outdoor entertaining space that includes a dining table for the whole family and a fireplace seating area with an outdoor TV.
Physicians Meredith and Derek Byers found the home of their dreams in Kirkwood in 2014. They immediately went to work remodeling it and in 2023, the Byerses engaged Lakeside Renovation and Design for a full exterior renovation, including the addition of a covered outdoor living/dining space across the back of the house with a stone fireplace, outdoor TV and a grill pad for Derek’s collection of grills and smokers. Located just off the kitchen, the space is ideal for year-round entertaining.
Read more about their home here.
Jan Groenemann talks about what she loves in and around her home and art studio in St. Peters. Video by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
