Patio of the Week: Stylish Rooftop Retreat Brimming With Color
Designers found on Houzz transform a blank-slate Chicago terrace into an inviting outdoor spot for lounging and dining
This homeowner reached out to Paulina Cervantes and Andrea Fripp of Dual Concept Design in Chicago early during the pandemic to transform her blank-slate pied-à-terre into an elegant, vibrant retreat. She had recently purchased the condo in the Lincoln Square neighborhood to have a place of her own closer to her daughter, who was pregnant with her first child at the time.
The homeowner lives in Baltimore most of the time, so she turned to Houzz to find a Chicago designer who could work with her remotely. That’s where she discovered Dual Concept Design. “We spoke many times on the phone and did several virtual meetings, but the first time we ever met her in person was at the first design presentation,” Cervantes says. “After the client left, we continued managing the project remotely.” The design wrapped up in the spring of 2021, with the expansive patio as a standout feature.
The homeowner lives in Baltimore most of the time, so she turned to Houzz to find a Chicago designer who could work with her remotely. That’s where she discovered Dual Concept Design. “We spoke many times on the phone and did several virtual meetings, but the first time we ever met her in person was at the first design presentation,” Cervantes says. “After the client left, we continued managing the project remotely.” The design wrapped up in the spring of 2021, with the expansive patio as a standout feature.
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After: The patio extends living outside, with a seating area and an existing fire feature centering the design. The latter “was our anchor,” Cervantes says. “We had to base our design on the location of the fireplace.” Then she and Fripp added a sectional sofa, with two woven accent chairs, a faux bois coffee table and side tables rounding out the space.
When it came to the color scheme, the homeowner “wanted this bright, happy space,” Fripp says. Instead of opting for grays and neutrals — popular with many of their Chicago clients — the team used rich jewel tones to create a warm, welcoming design. “We love that when she engaged us to design her home, she did not want neutral,” Fripp says of the client. “She was open to exploring a different color palette. She wasn’t afraid to do bright fuchsia colors and oranges.”
You can see here how the designers pulled off the orange-and-pink color palette, choosing bolder colors for the cushions, throw pillows and accents, and neutral colors for the sectional, coffee table and other larger pieces. This move keeps the design from feeling too overwhelming, but also gives the homeowner the ability to adjust the color scheme in the future if she chooses.
A synthetic sisal rug anchors the seating area. The rug was custom sized by Oscar Isberian, with a border of fuchsia fabric tying it in with the rest of the design.
When it came to the color scheme, the homeowner “wanted this bright, happy space,” Fripp says. Instead of opting for grays and neutrals — popular with many of their Chicago clients — the team used rich jewel tones to create a warm, welcoming design. “We love that when she engaged us to design her home, she did not want neutral,” Fripp says of the client. “She was open to exploring a different color palette. She wasn’t afraid to do bright fuchsia colors and oranges.”
You can see here how the designers pulled off the orange-and-pink color palette, choosing bolder colors for the cushions, throw pillows and accents, and neutral colors for the sectional, coffee table and other larger pieces. This move keeps the design from feeling too overwhelming, but also gives the homeowner the ability to adjust the color scheme in the future if she chooses.
A synthetic sisal rug anchors the seating area. The rug was custom sized by Oscar Isberian, with a border of fuchsia fabric tying it in with the rest of the design.
A new custom steel pergola spans the patio’s outdoor dining area, adding shade and architectural interest. “We knew we needed to incorporate a shaded area but couldn’t simply place umbrellas out there” because of Chicago’s extreme seasons and weather changes, Cervantes says.
Working with Chicago Roof Deck & Garden, the designers created a pergola that enhanced the space and didn’t add visual clutter. “We didn’t want a giant post in the middle that would support the pergola,” Cervantes says. They introduced a cantilevered crossbeam (seen in the first photo), which connects to the side of the building. “It created an interesting architectural moment that’s very fitting with the architecture of Chicago,” Cervantes says. With engineering supervision, they lifted it to the roof via crane.
The black metal dining set complements the shade structure and contrasts the light-colored pavers. The designers enhanced the set with custom cushions and a table runner made with the same fabrics used in the seating area.
They also added string lights and LED sconces to the pergola, so the homeowner can enjoy the space at night.
Find a pergola specialist in your area
Working with Chicago Roof Deck & Garden, the designers created a pergola that enhanced the space and didn’t add visual clutter. “We didn’t want a giant post in the middle that would support the pergola,” Cervantes says. They introduced a cantilevered crossbeam (seen in the first photo), which connects to the side of the building. “It created an interesting architectural moment that’s very fitting with the architecture of Chicago,” Cervantes says. With engineering supervision, they lifted it to the roof via crane.
The black metal dining set complements the shade structure and contrasts the light-colored pavers. The designers enhanced the set with custom cushions and a table runner made with the same fabrics used in the seating area.
They also added string lights and LED sconces to the pergola, so the homeowner can enjoy the space at night.
Find a pergola specialist in your area
An inviting seating nook features two orange rope lounge chairs by Lebello with contrasting fuchsia cushions and custom pillows that tie both colors together. “Someone can sit there and have a private conversation,” Cervantes says.
Planters frame the seating nook, creating an even more secluded feel. The team worked with Kemora Landscapes to choose an assortment of shrubs, grasses, perennials and trees, which the Kemora crew maintains throughout the year. A combination of lightweight fiberglass containers and built-in wood planters creates a lush, filled-in rooftop garden.
The planters help define the patio’s outdoor zones, “creating a walkway directing you towards the dining and seating areas. They provide interest in the middle of the space in terms of greenery,” Cervantes says. The planters also help with screening — particularly useful given that buildings surround the deck on all sides.
Kemora Landscapes also installed an irrigation system that runs underneath the floating tile floor and waters all of the rooftop containers. “We wanted to make sure all plants and trees thrive,” Fripp says. “[The homeowner] is able to have all of this out there with little maintenance.” The water drains underneath the floor tiles.
Shop for outdoor furniture on Houzz
Planters frame the seating nook, creating an even more secluded feel. The team worked with Kemora Landscapes to choose an assortment of shrubs, grasses, perennials and trees, which the Kemora crew maintains throughout the year. A combination of lightweight fiberglass containers and built-in wood planters creates a lush, filled-in rooftop garden.
The planters help define the patio’s outdoor zones, “creating a walkway directing you towards the dining and seating areas. They provide interest in the middle of the space in terms of greenery,” Cervantes says. The planters also help with screening — particularly useful given that buildings surround the deck on all sides.
Kemora Landscapes also installed an irrigation system that runs underneath the floating tile floor and waters all of the rooftop containers. “We wanted to make sure all plants and trees thrive,” Fripp says. “[The homeowner] is able to have all of this out there with little maintenance.” The water drains underneath the floor tiles.
Shop for outdoor furniture on Houzz
After: A small quartz-topped cocktail table right outside the condo’s sliding glass doors provides yet another spot where the homeowner can enjoy her roof garden. “She wanted a little bistro table where she could sit outside and work,” Cervantes says. “She wanted a small spot to grab a coffee with her laptop, versus sitting at the large table for eight.”
The patio can be seen from inside the house, so it was important that it always looks appealing — even during the winter.
When it comes time to winterize the deck, each furniture piece has a custom cover. “The thought with custom covers is that things can be neatly put away,” Cervantes says. Individual covers also make it easier for the homeowner to sit outside by herself, without needing to lift off of a large cover for an entire dining set.
Planters flank a large woven box behind the sofa used for storing cushions during the winter. The rug can be rolled up and stored when not in use.
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When it comes time to winterize the deck, each furniture piece has a custom cover. “The thought with custom covers is that things can be neatly put away,” Cervantes says. Individual covers also make it easier for the homeowner to sit outside by herself, without needing to lift off of a large cover for an entire dining set.
Planters flank a large woven box behind the sofa used for storing cushions during the winter. The rug can be rolled up and stored when not in use.
More on Houzz
Browse thousands of patio photos
Read more landscape stories
Hire a landscape contractor
Shop for your outdoor spaces
Patio at a Glance
Location: Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago
Size: 925 square feet (86 square meters)
Designers: Paulina Cervantes and Andrea Fripp of Dual Concept Design (interior and exterior design) and Kemora Landscapes (planting design)
Roof deck specialist: Chicago Roof Deck & Garden
Before: The condo is on the fifth floor of a new construction building, and the deck was pretty much a blank slate. “We had this large space, completely uncovered,” Cervantes says. “All there was present was a fireplace as the focal point and the perimeter railing.”
The team continued to use Houzz throughout the inspiration and design phases. “When we start a project, we always ask the client if they have an ideabook on Houzz,” Fripp says.