It comes as no surprise that interior design is one of the most rapidly developing industries in the world. People want their living space to feel like a part of themselves is represented in each room with the perfect paint color, flooring, furniture and each and every final touch. But what happens when you run out of space? Many have found the solution to this dilemma is to shift their focus from the constricted interior to the limitless exterior. Thus, the outdoor living movement was born. This movement has spread across the country.
Focusing in on the St. Louis metropolitan area, here at Custom Floors & More, Inc. in Belleville, Illinois, we just completed our first custom outdoor kitchen! Blending transitional and rustic styles, this outdoor kitchen is truly one of a kind. While traditional outdoor kitchens have been completed with natural stone finishes, we decided to walk the path less traveled and create something exclusively with our own product lines.
This was a team effort combining the 22 years of design expertise and product knowledge of owners Julie and Doug Nitz and CFM’s newest sales and design employee, Brandon Nitz. In addition to the creative efforts, eight other teams were a part of the construction process of CFM’s first outdoor kitchen project.
Here is a breakdown of the entire process:
Step 1: Design and finalization of product selections and layout (quality outdoor living contractor and Custom Floors & More, Inc.)
Step 2: Excavation of area built to desired height (audiovisual team, electrician, lighting subcontractor for preliminary wiring and plumber for initial plumbing rough-in)
Step 3: Pour concrete and create retaining wall (concrete and landscaping subcontractors)
Step 4: Lay oversized slate pathway and lay wood-look tile on concrete (landscaping and CFM)
Step 5: Steel framing of “cabinetry” (kitchen accessories and pergola subcontractor)
Step 6: Wiring of “cabinetry” for all electrical components (electrician)
Step 7: Pergola assembled and concrete board for tile setting applied to steel framing (kitchen accessories and pergola subcontractor)
Step 8: Tile installation begins for 6-by-18 inch field tiles (CFM), Countertops are installed (kitchen accessories and pergola subcontractor), tile setting is completed with glass mosaic accent bands and backsplashes once countertops are in (CFM)
Step 9: Appliances and cabinet inserts installed (kitchen accessories and pergola subcontractor)
Step 10: Completion of wiring and audiovisual equipment (electrician and audiovisual subcontractor)
Step 11: Lighting hung and ground lighting installed (electrician and landscape lighting company)
Thanks to hard work and dedication, CFM’s first ever outdoor kitchen was born! For more information on how to make your dream backyard come to life, call Custom Floors & More, Inc. at 618-277-7233.
– Taylor