Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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" ere's a big difference between having a grill area and having the ultimate outdoor kitchen." SEAN CLARKE E verything you need for the ultimate summer escape can be found in your own back- yard. High-end sound systems, elaborate fireplaces, cutting-edge kitchens—all outdoors— create an open-air summer home. The National Association of Realtors reports that the sale of mil- lion-dollar properties is on the rise. Once they've invested in their dream house, luxury homeown- ers are willing to pay top dollar to customize it inside and out. We asked three experts to weigh in on the best and brightest trends in outdoor living. INDOORS MEETS OUTDOORS Jean Abouhamad, president and founder of Sea-Dar Construction in the South End (46 Waltham St., 617-423-0870; seadar.com), has seen a steady increase in clients asking for upscale outdoor lounges. "Decorative water elements, including waterfalls, ornamental pools, and splash pools are on the rise," says Abouhamad. He points out that some clients want to turn their backyard into a place to meditate and create a peaceful ambience with soundless infinity pools or dramatic water walls. Abouhamad is also see- ing outdoor Internet access and TVs becoming de rigueur, as clients want to enjoy the same ameni- ties outside that they do inside. SEAMLESS SOUNDS Thanks to homeowners like these, Chris Saad of Audio Concepts (870 Commonwealth Ave., 617- 734-1800; audioconcepts.com) has seen a 15 percent increase in requests over the past year for outdoor sound systems. For one recent client, who wanted to outfit a 1,000-square-foot pool house, he installed a 55-inch wall-mounted f lat-screen tele- vision, landscape speakers throughout the pool area, and a waterproof Wi-Fi system. Clients are also embracing high-end, off-the-shelf sound sys- tems, like the Sonarray by Sonance SR1 System. "It features a below-ground subwoofer and eight satellite speakers placed around the perimeter of a backyard," says Saad. "Because they are com- pletely hidden under foliage, you hear the music without seeing ugly speakers." FOOD ALFRESCO For Sea n Cla rke, genera l ma nager of Clarke Dist ribut ion (393 Fortune Blvd., Milford, 508- 458-2200; clarkeliving.com), summertime means From the Inside Out FROM MEDITATION LAWNS TO OUTDOOR TELEVISIONS, BOSTON DESIGN EXPERTS ARE TRANSFORMING THE BACKYARD INTO A SEAMLESS EXTENSION OF THE HOME. BY JESSICA LANIEWSKI FROM LEFT: Clarke Distribution has seen classic backyard grilling areas expand to deluxe outdoor kitchens; audio systems like the Sonarray by Sonance SR1 System can deliver high-quality sound throughout a large outdoor area. cooking in a deluxe outdoor kitchen. Clarke takes the sun into consideration when helping clients choose outside countertops, often suggesting bluestone, as it can withstand varying weather conditions. Accessories play an important role in the design and scale of an outdoor kitchen. "There is a big difference between having an out- door grill area and having the ultimate outdoor kitchen," says Clarke, citing factors like refrigera- tion, icemakers, ventilation, additional burners, counters, barstools, and a dedicated dining table. "These little accessories really transform your typical grill area to the place where everyone in your family will want to be during the spring, summer, and fall." BC 114 BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM DÉCOR NEWS