Kitchen & Bath Business October 2021 - 41

LEFT The owner wanted a fully
functional outdoor kitchen,
complete with refrigeration,
grill, sink and area to mix cocktails.
" A pergola defines this
space, and LED lighting makes
it easy to cook outside in the
evenings, " said the designer.
RIGHT The outdoor shower
provides a space for guests to
rinse off before or after using
the pool or hot tub. Grubb was
originally going to use porcelain
tile here, but he ended up
selecting the same iridescent
glass tile as the pool features
because it provided more of a
resort-like feel.
CLEARING A FEW PROJECT HURDLES
Originally, the house was not level with the yard - with an awkward stepdown
- so Grubb and his team had to level out the various elements to create one
even plane. According to the designer, they used the soil from digging out
the pool as grading and left just enough space for the decking material to sit
above flush with the door threshold.
" The cohesive linearity allows the entire outdoor space to feel like a natural
extension of the home, " he added.
There was also an electrical panel located where the kitchen would be, so
he admitted that configuring this area took careful consideration. It would
have been cost-prohibitive to relocate it, so Grubb cleverly enclosed the panel
in a wood box with a door to appear as if it is a cabinet.
The client wanted the shower to have hot and cold water capabilities, but
the location was far from an existing sewer line. To meet code, a sump pump
was required to draw waste to the city sewer line at the front of the house. One
was added, but it was challenging to make sure the slope was correct and avoid
the pool, gas lines, landscaping, etc.
" But with this investment for the shower, it created the perfect opportunity
to add the three-quarter bathroom in the multi-purpose garage and utilize the
same sump pump , " explained the designer.
For this outdoor project, Grubb was also working with a jack-of-all-trades: a
landscape designer, contractor and pool expert all in one. This reduced the number
of people needed on site, and Grubb said he was even helpful in choosing the
outdoor kitchen elements because he knew what would work and fit in the space.
" The result is an outdoor living area that's serene and welcoming, " said the
designer. " It's the perfect backdrop for an afternoon pool party, evening dinner
with friends or even a moment of relaxation and solitude with a good book. "
For numerous reasons, outdoor living is gaining in popularity. While many
of us have been spending more time at home and will continue to do so, we
are seeing these exterior spaces as extensions of the indoors - and there is no
limit to the imagination as to how we design and use them.

41
SOURCES
DESIGNER: Christopher
Grubb, Arch-Interiors
Design Group; POOL AND
LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR:
Steve Shea; AWNING
FABRICATION: Marine
Awning; PHOTOGRAPHY:
Chris Miller Imagine
Imagery
APPLIANCES, FAUCET
& SINK: Twin Eagles;
AWNING FABRIC:
Sunbrella; BARSTOOLS:
Trex Outdoor Furniture;
BEACH BALL FABRIC:
Romo; COUNTERTOP:
Cosentino; DECORATIVE
PILLOWS: RAGS; DRAIN
COVER: California Faucets
StyleDrain by Christopher
Grubb; FURNITURE:
Restoration Hardware;
GLASS PIECES IN FIRE
FEATURE: American Fire
Glass; PERGOLA LIGHTS:
Core Lighting; PLANTERS:
All Modern; POOL &
SHOWER TILE: Lunada
Bay; REFRIGERATOR: Delta
Heat; SCONCES: Murray
Feiss; SHOWER FIXTURE:
Signature Hardware
Kitchen & Bath Business October 2021

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