For some homeowners along the Gulf Coast, their favorite room in the house is neither a room nor in the house. That's right: It's the outdoor spaces that give them room to breathe, room to grill and chill, room to relax. From porches to patios to pool houses, outdoor rooms are becoming more important for entertaining as well as for solitude.

Concrete patios and charcoal grills have gone the way of the rotary phone. Today's homeowners are incorporating often elaborate outdoor spaces that include cooking pavilions—often referred to as "summer kitchens"—complete with high-end gas grills and cooktops, refrigerators, icemakers, and even dishwashers built into brick or stone surrounds.

For clients of Mobile architect Craig Robers, the sky is literally the limit when it comes to designing outdoor spaces. "Whether they use it or not, they want it," Craig says of the trend toward outdoor kitchens and fireplaces. He says outdoor kitchens are so popular that half his clients want them. Custom-designed outdoor fireplaces are in demand, as well. In fact, Craig says that two or three projects he has going right now "have as much going on outside as inside."

For more details on how to "take it outside"—as well as the entire Fall 2007 issue—click here!!

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