These outdoor living spaces help homeowners harness the best of the sunny season.
Happy Host
Form definitely follows function—in this case, happy hosting—for a backyard transformation focused on outdoor living and entertaining in Lake Oswego. “This family has a deep passion for being outdoors during the beautiful Oregon summer and shoulder seasons,” says design studio manager Steven Kurvers of Drake’s 7 Dees. “We designed the landscape to reflect that style—refined, warm and casually elegant,” he says. The property, which has direct access to the reservoir, capitalizes on the mid-century home’s strong indoor-outdoor connection, extending living to a backyard dining area, lounge with fire table, a synthetic turf, as well as a grill and prep station. The designers employed landscape lighting and subtle built-in speakers to extend gatherings well into the evening. “The flow is intentional,” Kurvers says. “It’s a space designed to adapt to the vibe of any gathering.”
Swing Kids
“What is it?” is the common question fielded by Kristien Evans of Fusion Landscape Design about the curved beam she designed for the backyard of Amy and Randall Thomas’ 1923 Colonial in Laurelhurst. “We investigated a wood dining pergola, but the scale didn’t work, so we played around with something that would not feel so dominant or create weird angles,” Evans says. The design team found inspiration in a public park in New Hampshire and a partner to pull it together in Joel Shimmin of Manx Design and Build, who fabricated the beams. Oǧuz Yılmaz created the structure’s custom hardware and knife plates. The curve, edged with lush plantings, sets off a happy, lighthearted and relaxed dining area as well as a perfect hanging spot for hammocks by Eno. “It’s an absolute family oasis,” Evans says. “The space it creates really holds you.”
Super Soaker
When designer Emily Henderson went looking for a year-round backyard swim spot for her family’s home in Portland, she landed on a Soake pool—a smaller, pre-constructed pool system that can be heated in the winter months or kept cool in summer. “It’s a luxury that we use the heck out of,” Henderson says. “It’s so fun—and we use it even more than I thought we would.” Built off-site and shipped via truck, the Soake has a smaller footprint (7 ft. x 13 ft. in this case) and is less expensive to maintain than a traditional pool. “I’m way less nervous about them all being in there since it’s small and not deep,” Henderson says.
Dry Desert Darling
Working with the seasons—especially Oregon’s hot, dry summers—was paramount to Blossom, the designers behind this full design/build landscape project in the Cully neighborhood. The house and property, home to a former Waldorf school and now the Sunblossom community floral garden and workshops, features a man-made seasonal creek that runs dry in summer but that helps maintain moisture to the entire landscape. “We chose the plantings for drought tolerance and year-round palette,” says designer Todd Blossom. The client’s travels to Japan served as inspiration for the Zen-inspired moon gate/portal, which frames views of the gardens. Throughout, Blossom built in ample shady spots. “Landscapes are always an interesting opportunity to work with what you have,” Blossom says.
Well Wisher
For Megan and Kyle Dougherty, a backyard wellness space balancing deck areas, hot tub and sauna was the perfect addition to their 1915 Craftsman home in the Laurelhurst neighborhood. “We love to travel and draw inspiration from the various places we’ve visited,” says Kyle. “Japan and Iceland are the primary sources of inspiration for this space in particular.” The Doughertys designed the project themselves, using Composite Cladding by WoodPlank to give the sauna and rec room a modern, natural look (their top priority was to find something that could withstand the Pacific Northwest rainy seasons without ongoing maintenance). The couple worked with Tim Ackley of Pearce Building on the project’s custom sauna and installed a Nordic Crown XL hot tub. For the softscape, the couple engaged Smiling Gardens to identify low, creeper-style plants that will fill in the area around the footpath between spaces over time. “The best part is simply being able to spend more time outside together, in a place we find calming and restorative,” Kyle says.
Starlight Cinephile
The gazebo was already there down next to the water when Lisa Haukom, a creative director, and her husband, Mike, a screenwriter, bought their 1985 Florence home on Mercer Lake 10 years ago. Shrouded in shadows from towering conifers, the structure didn’t get much use until Lisa and Mike turned it into the ultimate setting for late-night summer movies. “Musicals are in high rotation—Grease, The Music Man, anything by John Waters,” Lisa says. “Pop culture and movies are really our shared language.” As the sun sets, the air cools and the stars come out, the Haukoms open up the accordion-style screen, light up a fire table, air-pop some popcorn and cue up the next perfect-for-the-season hit. “We call it summer camp,” Lisa says.
