For the Love of Outdoor Living

Westport CT. WITH A LOVE of outdoor living, these Connecticut homeowners wanted to outfit their open-air area for maximum enjoyment. Envisioning a space especially for cooking, dining, and relaxing, they hired Michael Gotowala, principal designer and president of Preferred Properties Landscaping and Masonry, whose motto is to “live beyond the walls of your home outdoors.”

Preparing their home so the owners could do just that, Gotowala got to work on an addition that allowed for a master bedroom and office walkout for private outdoor living. The heart of the outdoor area features a fireplace with arched stone bins, granite countertops, and an adult beverage center. To the right, a stone hot tub complements the stone courtyard and privacy walls, which are highlighted with fire jars. To the left of the addition is pool central. This section includes a fire pit with stone bench and L-shaped island against the house.

element, visually connecting areas. The stone façade on the house matches that of the island, making the entire space appear larger. Stone steps at all the door openings have different heights to accommodate the pool and home addition. And Gotowala chose an artful mix of varieties that all complement each other: Noble hill yellow stone for the walls, Norwegian buff limestone for the pool deck and coping, and yellow river granite for the kitchen countertops.

Gotowala completed the kitchen with everything the owners would need for cooking and entertaining—a grill, refrigerator, and cabinetry. Aside from the previously mentioned fire jars, additional night lighting makes this multipurpose space usable day and night, while the fire place and a space heater allow the owners to enjoy it all year long.

Read Magazine Ready article.