The Warren Farmstead Retreat

We met the Warren family through the recommendation of a relative for whom we had previously created another outdoor living space. From the very first conversation it was clear this project would become something meaningful — and what began as a professional introduction quickly developed into a warm and genuine relationship. 

Their home sits on a beautiful farm where several generations of the family remain closely connected. Some of their older children live nearby. Two younger nephews were still living with them at home. Kelly and Bryon wanted one thing more than anything else: a place where all of them could be outside together — children, grandchildren, and every generation in between — without the space ever feeling too small for the life happening within it. 

The property had real potential. A pool had been built several years earlier, but the surrounding area had never been fully realized — finished simply with loose stone, it was a space waiting for its purpose. We saw the opportunity clearly and set to work reimagining it entirely. 

Because Kelly and Bryon take genuine pleasure in preparing barbecue and smoked meals, the outdoor kitchen became the centerpiece of the design. It was built to support real outdoor cooking — generous in scale, practical in layout, and positioned so that family and guests could gather nearby while food was being prepared. Cooking in this space was never meant to feel like a chore. It was meant to be part of the experience. 

A circular masonry sitting wall surrounds a wood-burning fire pit — a natural place for the family to pull together in the evenings, share stories, and let the night unfold at its own pace. A spacious bar and dining area extend the gathering space, giving the entire family room to sit together comfortably when the meal is ready. 

The pool deck was expanded using high-quality pavers selected specifically for their slip-resistant surface — a deliberate choice made with the younger children in mind. Along the edges of the space, masonry sitting walls provide comfortable spots for adults to relax and watch the children swim, remaining present in the activity of the space without needing to be in the pool themselves. 

A new staircase connects the rear porch to the outdoor environment below, creating a natural and easy transition between the house and the pool area. Planters placed along the structure soften the architecture and bring color and life to the design. 

A carefully planned lighting system highlights the architectural details throughout the space, allowing the family to enjoy the full environment beautifully well after sunset. 

The Warren Farmstead Retreat is exactly what it was designed to be — a gathering place built around the way this family lives, where the fire burns, the food is prepared with care, the children swim until they’re ready to rest, and the people who matter most always have somewhere to come home to.