Designers
Best Outdoor Space 2022 Winner
The goal of the 2022 Best Outdoor Space winning project was to re-imagine an underused backyard space into a serene outdoor oasis, with a focus on function, entertainment and relaxation.
by Colin Shea Denniston
Sep 2022
Photo by Jeremy Mason McGraw, Global Image CreationsTaylor and his team designed the pergola using exotic massaranduba wood to compliment the home’s exterior. “We angled the slats so that the morning sun would sort of hit the slats on one side and the afternoon sun would hit them on the other side,” says Taylor.
Winning Designer: Nathan Taylor, Obelisk Home
Project Goal Summary
To re-imagine an underused backyard space into a serene outdoor oasis, with a focus on function, entertainment and relaxation.
Large swaths of grass and raised flower beds may be paradise for bugs and outdoor critters but designing an entertainer’s paradise requires more finesse and careful curation.
After working with Nathan Taylor, owner and principal designer of Obelisk Home, on an extensive interior renovation, the owner of a charming midcentury style home in Southern Hills was ready to take the renovations outdoors.“Basically, there was room for like six people to gather,” reflects Taylor of the old backyard design. “There was like a big, raised flower bed kind of in the middle of her yard, and then a very small little sitting area.”
As an avid entertainer with a large and diverse friend group, Taylor’s client needed a backyard that was conducive to hosting—with defined spaces for eating, lounging and casual conversation. “[She] wanted a fire pit and a large entertaining area,” says Taylor. “We removed the large, raised planter and then we added the pergola and put a fire pit underneath.”
Taylor extended the existing cement slab out into what was open—and underused—yard space, creating additional gathering spaces for lounging and dining. And to round out the newly imagined outdoor entertaining space, a hot tub was added adjacent to the fire pit and set halfway into the ground for easy entry and exit.
From the furniture selection to the color palette, the home’s midcentry style played a major role in the overall design. “That was really important,” Taylor says. “The Adirondack chairs had definitely more of the midcentury modern flair and vibe to them as opposed to your traditional Adirondacks.” And in the additional seating area outside of the pergola, a fresh coat of paint gives new life to a vintage 1950s outdoor patio set. Accenting chairs throughout the patio and around the fire pit, pillows and cushions in vibrant shades of turquoise and yellow connect exterior to interior with a shared midcentury-style color palette.
After design, construction and landscaping wrapped, the only thing missing from the space was its guests. “She hosted a big artists group out there for like 35 people,” reflects Taylor.” So, some were by the fire pit, some were at the dining table, some were in the other seating area. Everybody gathered around—it was really fun.”
Photo by Jeremy Mason McGraw, Global Image CreationsWhen it came to pitching the idea of a black exterior, “it was very much a hard sell,” recalls Taylor. “She resisted for like a year, year and a half and then one day she called me—she goes, ‘Are you about ready to paint my house black?’ and I said, ‘If you’re ready, let’s do it.’”
Resource List
Interior Design/Decorating Project Lead(s)
Nathan Taylor
Obelisk Home
214 W. Phelps, Springfield
417-616-6488
Landscaper and Landscape Design
Lauren VanDrie
The Landscape Co.
417-429-5264
Contractor(s)
Cory Eden
Fortitude Construction
417-988-6300
Wall Coverings
Obelisk Home
214 W. Phelps, Springfield
417-616-6488
Photographer of Provided Images
Jeremy Mason McGraw
Global Image Creations
Furniture
Obelisk Home
214 W. Phelps, Springfield
417-616-6488
Light Fixtures
Obelisk Home
214 W. Phelps, Springfield
417-616-6488
Paint (brand)
Sherwin Williams
535 E. St Louis Springfield
417-862-7483
