Blue & Green & Gold: The Colours of Summer The Great Outdoors

Easy-Care, Total Comfort Exterior Makes the Robinson Residence a Year-Round Paradise

The residence's outdoor kitchen and lounging area won Rivendell the 2007 Tommie Gold for Excellence in Creating an Exterior Feature in a Home. While the extended patio, with pool, in-ground hot tub and sunning chairs are exposed to the sun and sky, the kitchen and lounge are completely covered by a massive main floor deck.




"We decided to go for all shading because of the health risks of being exposed to 40 degree C. hot sun, allowing the area to be more usable. Many more elements can be added, and the space can be adapted as they go along," says Lynette Hay, Rivendell's design director.

This covered outdoor living area is connected to and serves all interior and exterior spaces, especially the pool, hot tub, surrounding patios and lounge, as well as benefiting from views and proximity to the natural environment.

Its centrepiece is a polished concrete, extensive-level eating bar that seats at least seven. Design features include masonry, cedar and stucco soffits, weatherproof millwork, copper gutters and hidden downspouts. There are also ceiling fans, customized lighting, audio and media controls, heaters and wind screens.

The kitchen features include a five-burner barbecue with side burners and a warming drawer, an ice maker, bar fridge and double sink.

Adjacent proximity to the custom steam room and changing facilities complete the functional space.

"We really tried to capture the indoor-outdoor experience that the Okanagan allows us to experience. We try to create all our homes with that concept," says Hay.

"The outdoor kitchen has really easy access to the house, so the owners don't have to be running inside every minute. Everything is also very low maintenance.



The award-winning and well-equipped outdoor living room show in these photos has a spectacular view and easy access to the house as well as the outdoor patio and pool. Photos courtesy of Rivendell.

The eating bar and countertops are polished concrete, which is very functional."

It took about six months to obtain the exterior cabinets, which can withstand temperatures from minus 40 degrees C to over 40 degrees C.

"These Nautilus cabinets are marine polymer and ideal for exteriors," says Hay. "They'll never rot, warp or mildew. The hinges and draw slides are made of stainless steel. They can be washed down with a garden hose or pressure washer."

This wasn't the only Tommie Gold won by Rivendell in 2007. They also re
ceived one for Excellence in A Single Detached Family Home for More Than $2 Million, Excellence in Interior Design in a Private Residence, Small Volume Builder of the Year and Home of the Year.

Rivendell Development Corp., with ten employees, is a family-based and run company that started in 2003 when Lynette Hay and her husband Matthew, company president, moved out from Alberta and started a home building enterprise.

"We try very hard to give our clients trust, loyalty and comfort, that's the most important thing," says Hay.

Lynette and Matthew Hay have two 4 1/2-year-old twin boys, Xander and Jackson, and a two-year old daughter Svea.

As for the project that won the company the Gold Tommie for Outdoor Feature, Hay says, "We're very proud of it. Everyone worked hard. It keeps you crisp."

Copyright © 2008 Wheat King Publishing and the authors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reprinted without the written consent of the publisher. The opinions expressed in Okanagan Home are those of the writers and editors, and do not represent the official position of the Canadian Home Builders' Association, Central Okanagan, or of its members.