We are blessed in Tennessee to have distinct seasons throughout the calendar year. And this time of year, as the days grow longer and rising temperatures beckon us outside, thoughts of an outdoor kitchen come to mind. Outdoor kitchens have become the central topic of many new construction builders as well as families looking to add value to an existing home renovation. The special something everyone is looking for begins with effortless practical living, whether you want your space to be luxurious, designed to handle active lifestyles or heavy Airbnb traffic. The addition of an outdoor kitchen and living space will meet the needs of many while providing added value for years to come.
The outdoor kitchen experts at Carriage House Custom Homes and Interiors in Franklin offer an array of possibilities for your next renovation. There are many factors to consider when building an outdoor kitchen and having a licensed contractor and design team all-in-one can help facilitate a well thought out plan prior to construction. "Simple, easy and customizable" seem like words of caution when talking about home renovations, but technologies in materials have changed, making the prospect of having the perfect outdoor oasis a reality. The Carriage House team brings the expertise of knowing what products fit well within the parameters of an outdoor kitchen build and can customize numerous configurations for a client's vision, however large or small.
Considering the architectural elements of the home is a great place to start. Utilizing pre-engineered units such as those offered from reputable brands like Danver, stainless outdoor kitchens and WeatherStrong generally will prevent major delays in construction. One can appreciate the ease these brands offer in eliminating long wait times for a fully customizable product. Finishes, configurations and price points are within reach depending on what brand and finishes are chosen. You don’t have to be an entertainer to enjoy flex space or an outdoor kitchen. Grand is how you interpret it, common mistakes can be avoided with a qualified team.
“Craftsmanship, appliances and palettes are notable details considered as projects come together,” says senior project manager, Scott Hilla. Rightfully so, many clients want to understand timelines and, in many cases, look to the design team for assurances on such details. Hilla mentions clients can typically expect a project to take 45-60 days to complete, depending on the additional trades, appliance choices and countertops chosen.
Visualizing yourself sitting in your new outdoor kitchen is beginning to seem realistic, is it not? “Renovations can be a daunting task,” says Sharon Hicks, president of Carriage House Custom Homes and Interiors. “Our hands-on approach and on-site showroom affords us the luxury of enhancing our clients' lives, through taking the worry and guesswork out of renovations.” It is not enough to build some cabinets, and add a few appliances to create your outdoor kitchen. Many factors should be considered in a four-season climate like Tennessee.
Outdoor kitchen cabinet products are built to withstand all weather climates. The Danver and WeatherStrong modular systems mimic indoor kitchen cabinets so your design stays consistent indoor and outdoor, if you prefer. It is free-standing and eliminates the need for traditional, bulky stone outdoor kitchens, meaning no delays or damage due to masonry work. This benefits all, especially those projects in tight spaces. Rustic touches and earth tones seem to take precedence when choosing a concept, along with inspiration from the architectural elements of the surrounding region. Do yourself a favor and don’t discount contemporary if that is more your style. The team at Carriage House shared a recent highlight project they worked on demonstrating how bold color and thematic properties such as kitsch Airbnbs can perfectly blend from indoor to outdoor. “When you carry a bold color concept to your outdoor kitchen as it is reflected in the interior of the home, there is a great synergistic feel and oneness with the property,” says Hicks.
As with any design project, it is fun to dream of what is possible and to have the best resources at your fingertips. Carriage House goes the extra mile to provide such options like coordinating furniture lines to fit the needs of any project as they are seamless to utilize with the modular kitchen systems. Must-haves on your list of items to consider for an optimal outdoor kitchen would be a dedicated beverage refrigerator, a functional sink, and a grill that is not only easy to operate but low on maintenance, making weekends at your home feel festive any time of the year. CarriageHouseCustomHomes.com