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Backyard Bungalow

Many of us are in possession of backyard sheds that have been overtaken by time and the ever impending neglect that is brought with a busy life.  With our help and years of experience, we can turn that neglected shed into a newly envisioned bungalow/shed/garden space that is full of modern architectural styles for some great social gatherings during those nice weather days!

Bungalow on the beach

When people hear the word “bungalow” generally they think of clear blue waters and a wide open sky with surrounding beaches. While we can’t necessarily bring an ocean to you, we most certainly can bring the pleasures of bungalow architecture.

To accomplish this remodel of your shed, we take advantage of it’s positioning within your yard. Generally sheds are pushed into a corner of the yard and have a strong shade presence. This allows for a lot of possibility when it comes to activity in this section since there is relief from intense sunlight, making this location great for social gatherings during all parts of the day.  Why remodel the shed just to be a normal shed when it can hold more functionalities and enjoyable properties?

A great example of remodeling the shed into a socially desirable location would be to add the functionality of a dining area. People love to eat outside and chat with those near and dear in their lives, and this is the perfect opportunity to do so!

How it’s done:

  • Elevate the shed in some manner, from lowering the ground around the shed enough to make it seem raised, or add some form of foundation after tearing down the initial shed.
  • Once the spot is raised, rebuild a modern styled enclosure atop the location and introduce enough space for a miniature deck system, with a pergola structure built in.
  • You now have a miniature deck and raised shed with a pergola, allowing for immense functionality. Either a garden in the shed, a miniature cooking stations, you name it!
  • Alter the pergola in a manner that has synergy with shed, so if the shed is a cooking station, let the pergola house seating and a table to dine. Add a few forms of drapery on all sides to give the bungalow style and some furniture that is made to handle outdoor weathering, and viola.

The culmination of these efforts and ideas will bear a rejuvenated shed that exudes relaxation and restoration after a long day.

To enhance the atmosphere you want from this location, don’t neglect the possibilities that lay within colors and patterns.  Nothing helps that “get away” vibe more than some vibrant and bold oranges and reds and other exotic colors that break out of the normal color palette of your everyday environment.

You don’t have to stay disatisfied with the eye-sore in your back yard. Give us a call at Xpand and let’s talk over some remodel ideas you have and how we can help you achieve something from nothing!

Phone: 952-292-6107

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Outdoor Fireplace, Your Very Own Outdoor Living Space

Big Sky, homes of Xcellence

Be prepared for those fresh-air nights that have the slightest chill and is showered by the stars in the sky with an outdoor fireplace! I know what your thinking, its the same thing as a fire-pit and i’m just confusing the words, but that’s not the case, I promise!An outdoor fireplace is exactly like what it sounds! Imagine you went inside and took your loved fireplace from the living room and placed it onto your stone or concrete patio in your backyard for some stare gazing! That’s what we are talking about! Outdoor fireplaces are structures that can be built on stone, brick or concrete patios and offer the same form of comfort, aesthetic beauty and functionality as indoor fireplaces!

Outdoor fireplaces often consist of a firebox as well as a chimney for strong functionality, and cannot generally be relocated once built. However the advantages of incorporating an outdoor fireplace to your backyard rather than a simple fire-pit really depend on the atmosphere you want to emphasize!

Let’s break down the varying ways in which outdoor fireplaces provide a unique atmosphere to a location, and why this may be an addition your looking for!

  • Fireplaces have the same luxury as fire-pits when it comes to the way in which you create the flame. Be it a wood burning or the use of gas, both materials are viable options that you can choose from! Wood may require a little more work, however results in the ever so satisfying crackle that can really help relax those who are partaking in the occasion.
  • Due to the layout of a fireplace, it is situated so that the heat and light emitted from the fireplace is directed in a specific direction. This means the fireplace becomes a central figure of your outdoor space, which is great due to the grand look it will have with the bricks and all!
  • Outdoor fireplaces offer intimate opportunities to fly thanks to the location in which it resides! Being parked under the stars on a calm night with your significant other, snuggled up on your outdoor furniture with the warmth of the fire flowing across your skin you can be sure that the atmosphere will be charged nothing but feelings of contentment and relaxation!
  • As an added measure of keeping that contentment while using the outdoor fireplace, the smoke from the fireplace is directed upward through the chimney, ensuring there is nothing burning your eyes or causing a coughing fit to ruin the night and intimate mood!
  • The outdoor fireplace is also something that can be easily maintained on days that have a little more averse weather conditions. Thanks to the fire being protected by the   firebox, wind and sprinkles of rain will have little affect on the fires intensity, proving to be a low maintenance event!

Outdoor living spaces cannot be complete without the warmth of a hearth to bring it all together. Consider installing an outdoor fireplace in your outdoor living spaces, and really amp up the possibilities that are available to you this spring!

Give us a call or send us a message at Xpand inc! We will work with you every step of the way to ensure that dream home of yours becomes a reality!

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Pergolas, What are they? And Why you should invest in one this Spring!

Deck
This spring, why not bring some new excitement to your backyard with the help of the always loved pergola! But wait, what is a pergola you ask? It’s time to put the name to the face so to say!A pergola is an archway, or covered location generally located over or near a garden or park! Pergola’s consist of a framework that is often used as a shaded walkway or resting location. Basically, pergolas can be a form of backyard additives to already existing locations, or a central figure of it’s own! Can someone say outdoor living space?

The way a pergola can change the atmosphere of an area is quit astounding. They can really give the sense of size due to being a new section of the backyard, helping the entire backyard feel bigger and still have room for other activities or structures!

Since lists are fun and easy to read, lets break down some main reasons pergolas are a favorite for those warmer weather days!

  • As mentioned above, they can create a change in an atmosphere by defining a definite space. Be it an entertainment lounge, dining area, or outdoor kitchen. Pergolas give new possibilities and can even replace the desire for a deck or patio if you don’t sport one of those in the home, however having both is a great option!
  • Privacy is the next bonus from pergolas. With the addition of drapes for a walling mechanism, pergolas can give you privacy in your backyard despite being an initially open structure. Enjoy some backyard reading or relaxation without the worry of prying eyes!
  • Plant space! If your a green thumb or just can’t get enough plants around you, pergolas enhance the green vibe! Using the overhead of a pergola, you can hang more plants and create a floating atmosphere of flowers and the like! Not only that, but some plants will benefit from this structure because of the manner in which they grow! Plants like clematis, honeysuckle, ivy, wisteria, and grape vines!
  • Protection from the elements! Pergolas can give strong shaded locations that will keep the elements at bay and allow you to enjoy the summer day! Being from Minnesota we are most all susceptible to burning, so really pergolas can be life savers!
  • Combine to unwind! Pergolas are versatile, in that they can become building blocks or stepping stones to bigger or more prominent backyard structures! Pergolas could lead into verandas or gazebos, creating an eye-catching outdoor living area that will certainly raise your homes value along with its functionality and comfort!

The spring is coming in hot, or should we say wet with all this rain, and you should be ready for those spring renovations and additions! Keep pergolas and their versatile functionalities in mind, and then give us a call at Xpand! Let’s make that dream home together!