Backyards everywhere are going through striking transformations. No longer just squares of grass contained within a fence, backyards as we know them have evolved into design-savvy extensions of the homes they accompany-indeed, the backyard has risen in status to become one of the most important rooms in the house. Today, more and more homeowners are realizing that committing time and money toward the goal of a beautiful outdoor living space brings many rewards, among them a savvy financial investment, a sizable increase in the livable space of their property, and the ability to experience the outdoors without leaving home.
Although the desire to connect to the outdoors is fundamental to the human spirit, sometimes it can be difficult to see beyond the limitations of a site, or a tight budget, or a lack of space. Ultimate Backyard features dozens of examples of outdoor spaces that have either been released from their formerly drab existence or designed and built from the ground up. Whether in the middle of a city or the middle of nowhere, the secrets of inviting and architecturally unique outdoor spaces are revealed in colorful detail in the pages within. The common theme is simple but powerful: dwellings that connect to the environment directly through their architecture.
Author Michelle Kodis offers hundreds of suggestions for all budgets and locations, in the process covering everything from a rooftop outdoor living room in a small mountain town in Wyoming to an Eichler remodel in a busy California suburb. Organized into four easy-to-navigate sections-Outdoor Rooms, Indoor/Outdoor Connections, Water and Creative Landscapes-Ultimate Backyard is your ultimate guide to takingyour backyard from ordinary to extraordinary and doing so with architectural flair and style.
Michelle Kodis, who received her master of science degree in journalism from Columbia University, specializes in writing about design and architecture. She is the author of the Gibbs Smith, Publisher, "Blueprint" series: Blueprint Small: Creative Ways to Live with Less, Blueprint Affordable: How to Build a Beautiful House Without Breaking the Bank, and Blueprint Remodel: Tract Home Transformations That Turn Everyday to Extraordinary. Her favorite outdoor spaces are in and around the mountains near Telluride, Colorado, where she lives with her husband and two dogs. She is currently at work on additional titles for Gibbs Smith, Publisher.

Outdoor living can no longer be defined as a simple patio with a few tables and chairs-today, homeowners across the country are creating remarkable spaces in which to eat, relax, meditate, swim, and even sleep Author Michelle Kodis reveals how to create a customized oasis in nearly any type of setting. Whether building new or redesigning an existing yard, Ultimate Backyards offers inspiration for outdoor spaces no matter the climate or budget-imagination is the key to creating a unique and personalized space.