40 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • APRIL 2018
INSIDE JOB
THE ELEVATED OUTDOORS
By RUTH BASHINSKY
Outdoor living spaces complete with
pizza ovens and fireplaces may take the
lead in outdoor living today, but such
spaces come in all shapes and sizes.
And one does not need rolling acres
of land and a majestic landscape
to possess a little slice of paradise.
Even a small yard, a large terrace, or
even a roof deck can have the same
relaxing effect.
“Folks are not using their backyards
on Memorial Day and Labor Day
anymore,” says Charles Gamarekian,
founder of Cambridge Pavers, Inc.
“It is an outdoor space for all four
seasons. In the wintertime, they are
sitting around their fire pits and
during the holiday time or during a
cocktail party in the home they have
the fireplace roaring outside.”
Gamarekian adds that the outdoor
living trend has been elevated over
the last few years with homeowners
wanting to create that perfect
staycation in their own backyard.
“There is outdoor living available
for every budget,” he says.
So kick off the flip-flops or keep on
the snow boots and take in these
year-round outdoor living space
designs that will inspire grilling
s’mores in any season.
The homeowner in this waterfront
home in Oceanside wanted an
outdoor living space offering a
European flair.
Marty Bevilacqua, owner of
Oceanville Mason Supply, provided
all the materials and landscape
and mason contractors designed
the space and did the installation,
transforming the area into an
alfresco-dining-party space.
The custom
granite top offers
easy maintenance
and features a grill; a
cooktop; an ice maker,
sink; refrigerator and
storage area.
The
homeowner wanted
the wood-fired oven/
barbecue to look like it came
from Italy and look weathered.
You can bake pizza right on top of
the floor of the oven or you can
add a metal grill on the top to
barbecue. It can also be used
to make a fire to keep
warm.
The flooring is made of
travertine, a natural dense
limestone formed by hot springs.
While most travetines are cream
or tan, this style is scabos and is
rich in color. Special epoxy grout
makes the floor more durable
and long-lasting.
The outdoor kitchen is
made from natural stone
cut thin and mortared to a
cement block base structure. The
ledgestone gives it a rustic layered
look. Highlighted are mosaic
stones mixed in the ledgestone
layers as accents.