Posted by
Guest Blogger
Friday, July 16, 2010 11:36 AM EDT
Luxurious outdoor kitchens from HGTV's Top 10
I've been inspired by our Create the Ultimate Outdoor Kitchen article. And as far as I'm concerned, the most luxurious splurge you can add to a backyard is a kitchen. Sure, a pool would be nice but a kitchen can be used for so much more of the year — yes, even in Canada. Obviously, this kind of outdoor addition is more for people who just got a big bonus at work, lottery winners or the nouveau riche (I imagine anyone with enough money to have one already does). But one can dream, right?
Here are the pieces you need to create the ultimate outdoor kitchen:
A Major Outdoor Grill
From left: GE Monogram Outdoor Cooking Centre, Wolf Outdoor Gas Grill
Your run-of-the-mill barbeque isn't natural gas-powered, nor can it be integrated into a stone island. Does it have separate elements or warming drawers? Didn't think so.
A Durable Fridge
From left: Liebherr Outdoor Refrigerator, Jackson Grill Outdoor Refrigerator
Why run in and out of the house when you can have a fridge outside for all the ingredients of your al fresco meal? If you live in the country, or really anywhere there are raccoons, you may want to invest in a lock.
Shatter-Proof Tableware
From Left: West Elm Hammered-Acrylic Drinkware, Ikea Barbar Tray, Pottery Barn Talavera Melamine Salad Plates
There's nothing worse than shards of crystal in your interlocking stones. Buying cheerful melamine and acrylic dishes means that dropped plates will only result in wasted food.
A Ceiling of Sorts
From left: Canadian Tire Motorized Awning, Cover-Tech Giant Rectangular Umbrellas
The true outdoor kitchen connoisseurs will build a full semi-outdoor room with a real roof but there are other more authentic outdoor options, like motorized awnings or luxuriously over-sized hanging umbrellas.
Space Heaters
From left: Paramount Natural Gas Patio Heater, Fire Sense Black Steel Wall Mounted Infrared Patio Heater, Uniflame Tabletop Northgate Electric Patio Heater
A space heater is an absolute must if you plan on using your outdoor kitchen into the fall. And luckily, they're not quite as industrial- or campy-looking as they used to be. Check out the unassuming lamp-like tabletop heater! And really, what could be more Canadian then barbequing in October with guests wrapped in woolly HBC blankets?
