Nesting With Grace

by Brooke Christen

Our Outdoor Kitchen with Pizza Oven

We have been working on our outdoor kitchen for about 10 months! Normally it isn’t that long of a process, but because we started in October, we knew the weather would be a determining factor on when it would be complete. And it did. Utah had one of the heaviest winters in years! It could have been done in about 2 months had we not started it heading into winter. Along with the outdoor kitchen addition, we knew we needed some type of coverage over the top from the elements, so we also added a large metal awning that could open and close and not block any light going into our house. Ready to see the process of adding our outdoor kitchen?

Outdoor Kitchen Plans-

First step was to find someone locally who could do an outdoor kitchen. We looked online and on social media and found Micheal at Outdoor Kitchen Concepts. He stays busy, he likes to do the design and install himself, we were very happy with everything he did. First he came out and measured and then got back to us with the plans. This is what he sent over, The only change I made was I didn’t want there to be two levels on the counter, we wanted it one level all the way around.

Before of Outdoor Kitchen Area-

Here’s what the space looked like before. We knew we could utilize the area better, we just had to decide what we wanted most. Kevin was using the little pizza oven often so we knew a built in oven would be something we would like and use. I knew I wanted more seating for meals. Without needing another table. When we entertain there is rarely less than 20 people over.

After Outdoor Kitchen-

And here is what it looks like after the plans came to life! We are really happy with it. 10 months in the making right here, like a baby. Lots of patiently waiting. But so happy in the end. We have an outdoor pizza oven, pellet grill and, flat top grill. The only thing I wish I would have pushed more for was an outdoor sink!
I knew I wanted something really simple since we have a lot going on with the rock on our 1970’s house. I love brick outdoor kitchens, but just wouldn’t look good with our style of home. Really happy with how our outdoor kitchen turned out!!
We wanted out outdoor kitchen to look like an extension of our home!

Outdoor Kitchen Process-

Micheal came and installed the framing pretty quick. Mid October they started. And then it snowed, and snowed and snowed! We had winter for 6 months in Utah and because we live close to the mountains we get a little extra snow than most. Because of the snow, the process for us took 6 months longer than usual.

Outdoor Kitchen Photos and Pricing-

I try to always share the price we paid for additions to our home, hopefully you find it helpful! For outdoor kitchen the total was $80k. That includes everything besides the barstools and lights. The Powered Louvered Patio Covering was the most expensive, costing us $50k (but that is included in the $80k of the kitchen). Adding the awning really extended our square footage, we can use it all year now (same contact for the awning Outdoor Kitchen Concept).
The size of the area we have the awning is 14′ x22′
So nice to have these outdoor oven and grills in a permanent, built in, covered spot…for Kevin. This really is his domain. He enjoys cooking for our family, and we really enjoy his food!
The pizza oven, along with Kevins award winning pizza’s (awarded by us, ha!), have made for a tasty summer!
Our pizza oven is a Chicago Brick Oven Wood Fire Pizza Oven. It takes about an hour to heat up, we are still trying to master it, but have been enjoying it! Kevin cooked salmon in it and it was delicious, along with lots of pizza!
We have enjoyed being able to cook and serve all from right here. I don’t mind having guests go in the house, majority of the time we serve food on the island inside (keeping bugs off the food). But when kids are in and out of the pool it has been convenient to serve off the bar.
In all the pull out drawers and cupboards we have trash and recycling. A fridge to hold drinks, meat and other items that need to be stored for entertaining. Storage for utensils and dinner ware. Lot’s of entertaining items can fit out here, like our glass drink dispensers.
The brand of our Flat Top Grill and Pellet Grill are Twin Eagle. Kevin uses the Flat Top Grill the most!
Our countertops on our outdoor kitchen Soapstone (Soapstone Black P-19) the same as our kitchen. They sealed it for us, it has been great so far!
The addition is still really close to our original covered patio, the two spaces feel connected well. It also doesn’t feel too crowded or, that by adding this kitchen ,it took up too much space in the backyard. It feels finished.
For the counter stools, again I wanted something simple that completed the black and warm tones of our house. Happy with these stools, they are comfy and I was able to fit is six up to the counter!
I knew I wanted hanging lights over our bar area. We made sure the awning company could make that happen. Biggest worry was that they would swing too much in the wind, we haven’t had a problem with that at all with these polished copper lights. (All our potted topiaries are from a local nursery Cactus and Tropicals)
Here you can see the new awning connected to the roof. There is no gap between the two, it’s sealed nicely so there is no leaking when it rains or snows. We can open and close when needed. The awning offers shade, but it doesn’t block any light coming into the house.
Here you can see how the awning can open and close.
It’s just the beginning of our outdoor cooking. This outdoor kitchen will be used a lot, and with it being covered, we can use it all year long now!

Outdoor Kitchen Sources-

Small Outdoor Ceiling Fans // String Lights // Copper Pendant Lights // Copper Sconce Lights

Pizza Oven // Pellet Grill // Flat Top Grill // Counter Stool

Rug (not outdoor, but worked in covered area)
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Comments

  1. Heather says

    Do you mind sharing the outdoor awning details? Thank you! Your new outdoor living is beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

  3. Sultana says

    Ahhh love it!! I am currently planning/building our outdoor kitchen also and would like to know what is the surrounding of appliances material under the counter? I don’t want to do stone which I find the mostly as options for outdoor kitchens. Can you link details/info on the black wood or paneling please?

  4. Candice Hansen says

    What is the company you used for your awning? That is exactly what I want over my deck.

  7. Kimberley says

    I love the idea of cooking the salmon in the pizza oven! I’ll bet it was absolutely delicious 😋

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