Memphis’ weather ebbs and flows. One day, kids are playing in sprinklers, gals are wearing sundresses and everyone is sipping iced tea. And the next, everyone is tucked away inside, cozying up with a book or a movie, looking out the window and watching rain wash over our beautiful city. Either way, Memphis remains incredible, but for those sunny “all is right in the world” days, we know the best thing to do is grab some friends and head outside. Whether in a charming screened-in porch or on a lavish patio, the best memories are often made outdoors with friends and family. So we’ve gathered some of our favorite designers to show us eight must-see outdoor living spaces that are sure to make your jaw drop.
8 Stunning Outdoor Living Spaces by Memphis Designers
RKA Construction
RKA Construction never misses an opportunity to create something beautiful in a unique place. This patio, perfectly placed beside a screened-in porch, is no exception. Architect David Anderson made a tucked-away space inviting and open while still maintaining its alluring and secretive aura. RKA Construction recruited interior designer Selena McAdams from Spruce and Fields Landscape Architecture to add the beautiful embellishments.
John Harrison Jones Architect
This 1920s Mediterranean-style home was given a new flare while maintaining its old charm. This unique back house was designed to serve as a modern complement to the ’20s-era architectural features of the main house. “The concept for the design is a reinterpretation of the architectural character of the existing house in a progressive and updated manner,” says John H. Jones, sole proprietor and principal architect of John Harrison Jones Architect. Fully equipped with a lounge, eating area, kitchen, pool bath and dressing room, exercise studio, two en suite guest bedrooms, outdoor cooking and covered porch area, this back house is truly stunning.
B. Gaines Interior Design
The beauty of B. Gaines Interior Design‘s work doesn’t just lie in their ability to create charming and beautiful spaces, but also in their determination to incorporate their clients’ personal style and functional needs into the designs. “We worked with homeowners Debra and Brent Williams and contractor Chris McGregor to transform a back patio into a quaint backyard retreat,” says Becca Gaines, lead designer of B. Gaines Interior Design. Becca designed this amazing leisure space with comfy weather-resistant Lee Industries swivel chairs in front of a wood-burning fireplace. As a final touch, Bevolo lanterns offer soft light for a quiet evening setting.
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Barnard & Deck
The amount of precision and beauty packed into this space is ideal for the consummate entertainer. The dashes of color from the greenery creeping over the arbor and the tranquility from the adjacent pool and lake make this outdoor living room truly unique. “It’s made for year-round use with a wood burning fireplace and dual ceiling fans,” says designer Kevin Barnard of Barnard & Deck. This charming and cozy outdoor living room invites you to take your computer outside to get some afternoon work done or enjoy an evening glass of wine. Creative, beautiful and functional, this space shows the genius of Barnard & Deck.
Rhea Crenshaw Interiors
Rhea Crenshaw’s talent stretches past Memphis and down to Watersound Beach for this outdoor living area. Decorated with soft neutrals and subtle accessories, this space is ideal for breathing in the beach air. Spacious and open, this al fresco living room has endless entertainment possibilities. Miller Cowan of Rhea Crenshaw Interiors, describes the porch as “a place to gather and reflect.” We couldn’t agree more.
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Gusmus Construction
Outdoor kitchens play host to so many fun times. Memories are made when you gather people over a delicious meal — and even better memories are made when you do this while breathing in the warm Memphis air. Gusmus Construction teamed up with Todd Bradford of Outdoors Unlimited and Leslie Murphy of Murphy Maude Interiors to create this beautiful outdoor kitchen that leaves us stunned.
Lisa Mallory Interior Design
It’s impossible to feel anything but refreshed and rejuvenated in an outdoor living area with such fantastic natural lighting. Architect Charles Shipp, along with builder Tommy Byrnes, helped Lisa Mallory to create a space that encapsulates the beauty of the outdoors, while technically being indoors. Furniture by Palecek and outdoor fabrics by Link Outdoor pull the room together. This windowed-in porch takes neutrals and matches them against the stark white walls creating an atmosphere that is sleek yet utterly inviting.
Palladio Home and Garden
The greenery in this patio vignette is a lovely mix of smart landscape design and lush, wild beauty. This impeccable courtyard garden, complete with a tall urn chambers fountain by Fiore Stone, provides the perfect complement to the blue house. The stone benches, brick pathway and intriguing accents take this outdoor living area to the next level. If you need us, we’ll be lost in a daydream of wandering through this charming, elegant courtyard garden.
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