Denver Outdoor Living Renovation

An Outdoor Space Built for Every Occasion

Cillessen Construction transformed this Denver backyard into a complete outdoor living space with a covered patio, custom fireplace, fully equipped outdoor kitchen, dedicated dining area, and separate fire pit seating area.

Attention to materials and finishes played an important role throughout the renovation. Custom-stained terracotta tile, textured cedar siding, and decorative breeze blocks complement one another, creating a consistent look across the different spaces. The finished backyard offers plenty of room for relaxing, cooking, dining, and entertaining.

A Covered Patio Designed for Comfort in Every Season

As part of this larger exterior renovation, the covered patio provides a comfortable place to spend time outdoors, whether it's a quiet evening at home or watching Monday Night Football with friends.

Large timber support posts frame the space, while the roof provides protection from the elements. Outdoor heaters help keep the seating area comfortable during Colorado's cooler months, while a wall-mounted television and comfortable seating make it a great place to gather.

The exterior wall features Western Red Cedar supplied by local company Charred Architecture. The wood was wire-brushed to bring out its natural grain, then charred and finished with a gray stain. This process gives the siding its distinctive texture and appearance.

Interesting Fact: As the large timber posts acclimate to outdoor conditions, they may release sap during the first year or two. This is normal and can be cleaned off. Sap release typically decreases as the wood settles.

A Custom Fireplace With Architectural Details

The custom fireplace is one of the most distinctive features of this Denver outdoor living renovation. Its warm terracotta finish contrasts with the dark cedar siding, while decorative breeze blocks add texture and dimension.

Tesselle supplied the breeze blocks as raw concrete. The team used custom-tinted Behr concrete stain to achieve the desired color.

The circular openings create an interesting pattern on either side of the fireplace while allowing light and views through the structure.

Custom-stained ModaConcrete tile completes the fireplace surround. The same tile was used in the outdoor kitchen, connecting the two spaces through a consistent material and color palette. This fireplace is a good example of how the right finishing techniques can make familiar building materials feel completely custom.

A Custom Outdoor Kitchen With Thoughtful Finishes

The outdoor kitchen provides plenty of space for preparing meals, grilling, and serving guests. It features a built-in Napoleon grill, stainless steel storage cabinets, drawers, and generous countertop space.

The cabinetry is surrounded by custom-stained ModaConcrete tile. The homeowner worked directly with ModaConcrete to customize the finish for this project.

Behind the kitchen, the concrete wall received an additional skim coat to create a more textured, hand-finished appearance. The team then sealed the surface to complete the finish.

The countertop is another example of a practical material decision. Rather than purchasing an entire new slab, the team worked with their stone fabricator to find a suitable remnant.

Outdoor Dining, Fire Pit Seating, and Custom Pavers

Beyond the covered patio, the backyard includes two additional gathering areas: a dedicated outdoor dining space and a separate seating area around a rectangular fire pit. The patio's diamond-patterned pavers are one of its most recognizable features. Large stone pavers are arranged with artificial turf, creating a geometric pattern that extends across both seating areas.

The layout gives each area its own purpose without dividing the backyard into disconnected spaces. There's room to sit down for dinner, gather around the fire pit, or move between the different areas when entertaining. The  combination of stone, greenery, and warm wood tones also complements the home's existing brick exterior.

Landscaping and the Finishing Details

The renovation also includes planting areas, stepping-stone pathways, and wood fencing that help connect the different parts of the backyard. Garden beds soften the edges of the paved spaces, while the pathways provide access around the outdoor kitchen, dining area, and surrounding yard.

A Yardlock keyless gate access system adds another practical detail. The combination-operated system uses a cable mechanism rather than batteries or electronics, allowing access without carrying a physical key.

These smaller details help make the outdoor space practical for everyday use while maintaining a consistent appearance throughout the property.