Raleigh, NC · 2024
The Cooper Kitchen
Outdoor kitchen with pendant lights & full appliance suite
The Story
The Coopers are serious home cooks who wanted to move the party outside. We designed a full outdoor kitchen with a built-in grill, side burner, refrigerator, sink, and pendant light bar — all under a sleek aluminum pergola.
The Challenge
Running gas, water, and electrical to an outdoor island 40 feet from the house required careful utility routing beneath the existing patio without destroying it.
Our Solution
We core-drilled through the foundation wall and trenched utility lines beneath the lawn, leaving the existing patio intact. All utilities terminate inside a weatherproof island chase.
6 weeks
Build Time
14×6 ft
Kitchen Size
Grill + Fridge + Sink
Features
420 sq ft
Total Area
Construction Timeline
From ground to glory.
Site Assessment
An empty patio area behind the house with a gas line stub and outdoor electrical panel nearby. Perfect location for a kitchen island.
Utility Trenching
Gas, water supply, drain, and electrical conduit trenched from the house to the island location. All lines pressure-tested before backfill.
Island Framing
Steel stud framing for the L-shaped kitchen island, with cement board sheathing. Cutouts for the grill, sink, and access doors precisely measured.
Stone Veneer & Countertop
Natural stone veneer applied to the island exterior. Granite countertop templated, fabricated, and installed with sink and grill cutouts.
Appliance Installation
Built-in grill, side burner, outdoor-rated refrigerator, and stainless steel access doors installed. Gas and water connected and tested.
Pergola & Lighting
Aluminum pergola erected over the kitchen with pendant lights, ceiling fan, and weatherproof electrical outlets along the bar top.
Final Reveal
Pendant lights glowing, grill fired up, cold drinks from the outdoor fridge. The Cooper Kitchen is ready for every weekend gathering.
The Transformation
Before & After
BeforeAfter
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