To lend an old-world, Tuscan look to the space, a doorway was carefully knocked out of a wall one stone at a time. The opening is framed by graceful agapanthus and yellow lantana.

What happened next was more deconstruction than reconstruction. An exposed truss system of cedar beams took the place of the roof. The columns and the structural cement crossbeam were clad in cedar veneer to keep the look cohesive. A doorway, which leads to a fire pit and water fountain, was knocked out on one of the end walls.

Kick Back and Relax
To feel more intimate, large, open spaces such as this one need to be divided into rooms. Large containers of lush plants are grouped at varying heights to give this outdoor retreat scale. Large furniture, such as the double chaise longue, will appear diminutive if not surrounded by bold plants.

A Cool Design
Even in triple-digit temperatures, it stays comfortable here. Shade trees, ceiling fans, and wisteria vines, trained on monofilament connected to the trusses, help cool the space. "People think that because we’re in Texas, we must die out here in the summer," says Greg. "But with the concrete floor, the rock walls, and the wisteria, it actually stays very pleasant, even in the heat of the day."

"Outdoor Room You’ll Love" is from the May 2007 issue of Southern Living.