EXTERIOR REMODEL: OUTDOOR URBAN RETREAT

This backyard project, winner of three awards, fits within a typical narrow city lot. Here we designed a gorgeous, 2.5-car space — with Tudor detailing to match the home's existing architecture — and a fully integrated "urban retreat." The new garage comfortably houses the homeowner's prized Citroën collector's car while, just around the corner, friends and family can gather under a trellis to enjoy meals or roast marshmallows in the wood-burning fireplace. A swing set is built into the trellis and set over recycled rubber mulch. Hidden out of sight is a dry well and rain garden to capture run-off from this newly-created hardscape. Soapy residue from rinsing cars no longer washes into the alley drain (and into the Mississippi River just two blocks away). All building materials are recycled or from eco-friendly sources.

Hear what our clients had to say after the remodel was complete:

"We hired DiGiacomo Homes and Renovation for a major garage/patio/urban retreat project. The space was tight, but our dreams were big. From concept to completion, Rocky and his team played a key role in helping us to process the many decisions that came up along the way. From FSC-certified building materials to storm water runoff to long-lasting construction techniques... DiGiacomo Homes and Renovations' Design+Build expertise and their willingness to listen to our needs means we now have the backyard retreat (and storage) we always dreamed of. Best of all... this beautiful, timeless and ecologically-conscious space came in on time and on budget!" - Project Homeowner.

This project won 2008 Contractor of the Year (COTY) awards for "Best Residential Exterior" and "Sustainable Remodeling."

Photos: Markert Productions, LLC