Taking The Great Indoors Out

By Nancy K. Crevier

Robert Manna has been literally and figuratively growing his business, LRM, Inc Landscaping Contractors, since buying out his father’s part-time venture in 1994. A self-taught landscaper, builder, and stone mason, he had worked for his father all through his high school career at Newtown High School alongside his brother, Lee, who continues to work for the company, as well. “I guess it’s in my blood,” said Mr Manna, whose grandfather was a stone mason.

From a business of three lawnmowers and 30 customers serviced by himself and his brother, LRM, Inc has grown to include a staff landscaping designer, office manager Regina DelRossi, and seven other employees who provide a wide scope of lawn, garden, and outdoor living services to more than 100 customers.

But while LRM, Inc provides designs created by staff member Andrew Serfilippi, builds and maintains landscaping for new and established residences and businesses in Newtown and the surrounding area, Mr Manna has in recent years expanded the business to encompass one of the most up-and-coming movements in the business.

“We’re seeing an increasing wave of outdoor kitchens. They have been a growing trend for the past five years, and we are now installing about 12 of them a year,” said Mr Manna. An outdoor kitchen is a great way to entertain, socialize, and still do the cooking, and holds a lot of appeal for people who love to cook and entertain. The trend started in California, said Mr Manna, and has gradually worked its way over to the East Coast, where more and more people are picking up on the idea.

“There are good reasons for the trend taking off now,” Mr Manna said. A slow economy has created a surge in remodeling to accommodate a more stay-at-home vacation atmosphere. Adding on an outdoor kitchen greatly enhances a home’s value, as well, a plus for anyone who may consider selling in the near future, he noted.

Cooking outside has come a long way from firing up the grill, throwing on a few burgers, and letting the smoke rise off the deck. Even the once-exotic built-in grill no longer impresses those who long to bring the indoors outside, and outdoor kitchens have become far more elaborate each year, he said. It has been a natural progression from landscaping to outdoor kitchens for his company. “Part of installing landscaping has always involved patios and stone sitting walls and other stone work,” he said. And outdoor kitchens naturally start with a weather-resistant floor and grow from there.

That Resort Feeling At Home

What customers in the Newtown area are seeking, said Mr Manna, is a resort feeling at home. People who entertain frequently and love to be outside want a space in which they can be part of the festivities during preparations, and a space that can accommodate a good number of people. “Often, an outdoor kitchen is built in conjunction with putting in a pool, creating a whole relaxing atmosphere without having to travel,” said Mr Manna. An outdoor fireplace with a sitting area and a bar adjacent to the kitchen are also becoming de rigueur.

The most common error clients make when planning an outdoor kitchen, he said, is not including enough square footage in the floor plan. That is why he recommends selecting components that will make up the kitchen, first. “And I haven’t yet had a client say they went too big. Usually, they are thinking that it is going to be too big and discover it couldn’t be more perfect when they get a party of 60 into the space. Cooking draws a crowd,” he pointed out. Plans can also be executed over the course of a few years to keep a budget under control, he explained, as long as the initial plan provides for those additions.

How much a person entertains, how much a person wants to be outdoors, and the budget, of course, dictate the scope of an outdoor kitchen project. When clients have determined which pieces they want — grills, sinks, refrigeration, burners, ovens, outdoor fireplaces, a bar, fountains, or waterfalls — Mr Manna helps them see how that fits into the budget, and then incorporates the items into a design. Patio furniture is also a big part of determining the size of an outdoor entertaining area, he said, and clients must consider lighting and other amenities, as well.

“Everyone wants a grill built into the stonework,” said Mr Manna. From there, the sky’s the limit, though. Warming drawers, storage space, extra burners, wine coolers, pizza ovens, and multiple entertaining areas surrounding the cooking section are very popular now, he said. Stereo systems and even plasma televisions add to the feel of “home away from home.” Many outdoor kitchens are contained under a pergola, or will have a roof built over the cooking area. Countertops and floor materials of weather-resistant natural materials such as granite or concrete are durable and necessary in New England. Bluestone, granite, limestone, natural stone, and brick are the most popular flooring choices, and can be set in patterns and sizes to create different “themes” for each area.

Not A Typical Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen is not a typical kitchen, said Mr Manna, as it is all customized, piece by piece. Heavy-duty stainless steel appliances stand up to the elements, and most of the components are built into the cabinet work, which is often made of stonework. An outdoor kitchen can easily become a project running into the hundreds of thousands, although most fall somewhere between $5,000 and $50,000.

Along with design and implementation of outdoor kitchens, not surprisingly, LRM, Inc also provides landscaping design to complement and blend the outdoor living space harmoniously with the natural space surrounding it. Waterfalls and fountains, winding paths and proper shrubbery add to the pleasing atmosphere sought by those who install an outdoor kitchen, he said. Even the placement of out buildings should be taken into consideration when planning an outdoor entertainment area, said Mr Manna. What people see and hear as they relax in the open-air kitchen lends to a pleasing ambiance overall.

“People are surprised at what we can do,” Mr Manna said. “It’s a trend that is really taking off.”

LRM, Inc, located at 57B Church Hill Road, has a small showroom open by appointment. Staff is available for design consultation and plans are tailored to meet the client’s specific needs and budgets. To visit the showroom or for more information, call 426-4383.