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Alfresco Living: 6 Homes with Outdoor Fireplaces and Firepits

Luxury Defined spotlights a collection of homes with spectacular outdoor fireplaces and firepits for year-round outdoor living

Autumn is here! How we have missed you! But most of all we’ve missed those crisp, clear mornings, eventide bonfires, and dark nights under the stars. To that end, Luxury Defined presents six homes with enchanting outdoor spaces warmed by firelight for that cozy autumnal soiree. Whether on a lavish garden terrace or a casual pool deck, that welcoming hearth, that firepit’s glow can transform an outdoor space into an alluring venue for alfresco relaxation and contemplation. Autumn nights, starlit firelights, smoke rises, our spirits fly.

White Deer Valley Estate in Littleton, Colorado

This dramatic custom-built, gated estate sits atop 27 acres in prestigious White Deer Valley. Architect and designer Kathy Jones of ArchStyle designed the home to showcase the city and mountain views. The long, winding driveway arrives at the heated circular drive and auto court, where the massive walnut front door opens to a great room with soaring mahogany ceilings, Brazilian cherry floors and woodwork, and floor-to-ceiling, sliding glass pocket doors that open to one of the many patios, and a lavish, circular firepit. The two-story, Brazilian cherrywood office, set to the side of the house for privacy, is a telecommuter’s dream: A slate façade fireplace and double French doors open to a Zen-like patio with a tranquil two-story waterfall, private sauna house, and outdoor shower. The lower level features a large sitting room with fireplace; a full wet bar with hidden pantry, dishwasher, and refrigerator; a home theater; and an 800-plus-bottle, temperature-controlled wine cellar. Also on the lower level are three en suite bedrooms, an exercise room with television, and walk-out access to the patio. Private trails on property lead to 18,000-plus acres of surrounding open space for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and skiing.

Westwoods in Westwood, Massachusetts

Westwoods is a quiet 74-acre retreat within easy reach of Boston. The shingle-style main house is complemented by several ancillary structures and idyllic alfresco spaces, including a stone firepit and a koi pond overlooking a meditation labyrinth.

Westwoods is a quiet, elegant retreat with easy access to Greater Boston. The 74-acre property consists of four contiguous parcels of largely conserved land abutting nearly 300 acres of conservation land. Westwoods is in use as a nonprofit retreat with private walking trails and ponds adjacent to the town’s trail network. The 10,600-square-foot, shingle-style main house is complemented by beautiful outdoor spaces, including a rustic stone firepit, a secluded stone sanctuary, wooden gazebo/meditation well, stone terraces, and a koi pond overlooking a meditation labyrinth. A short walk away from the main house is a 620-square-foot office with a full bathroom and a porch and a 1,600-square-foot gambrel-roofed art studio structure on 2.82 acres. Its two-level, 700-square-foot, open gathering space has 17-foot ceilings and a bank of north-facing windows. It features a welcoming foyer, a full kitchen, and three accessible, ADA-compliant bathrooms. The caretaker’s house offers an additional 1,900 square feet of living space. It was extensively updated with new electrical, plumbing, and appliances and includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open-concept kitchen-living-dining area, office, den, and a private patio and lawn. Two barns are just across the field from the main house and studio.

Turtle Lake Estate in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

This blufftop estate overlooking Turtle Lake in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, features an ivy-clad courtyard with a swimming pool and dining terrace. At one end of the pool is a mosaic-tiled spa; at the other end is a gazebo with submerged sun loungers beside a log-burning hearth.

This opulent estate is on a bluff overlooking Turtle Lake in an exclusive gated community of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Designed in the style of a grand Italian villa, the 17,000-square-foot residence abounds with artisan-crafted touches, including custom moldings and millwork, imported marble, frescoes, and mosaics. The interiors flow out to covered balconies, stone patios, formal gardens, and a beautiful pool terrace with ivy-clad walls and log-burning hearth. The main level is appointed with a two-story study/library, formal living and dining rooms, a chef’s kitchen, and multiple lounges. Six bedrooms and eight bathrooms offer comfortable accommodations for residents and guests. The lower level of the home is dedicated to entertainment and leisure, and includes a movie theater, fitness room, sauna, bar, game room, rec. room, and kitchen. Another highlight is the car collector’s garage with parking for eight vehicles, a car wash, and heated driveway.

Shoal Point Penthouse in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

This palatial penthouse in Victoria’s Shoal Point development opens to a 3,500-square-foot inlaid-marble deck with a hot tub, firepit, and a front-row view of Fisherman’s Wharf, the Inner Harbour, and the Vancouver Island Ranges.

This ultra-luxurious 3,900-square-foot penthouse has a prime waterfront location in Shoal Point, a landmark building at the mouth of Victoria’s historic Inner Harbour. Palladian windows in the principal rooms bring in abundant light and views of the Inner and Outer Harbours, the Victoria cityscape, and the Vancouver Island Ranges. The spectacular roof deck offers 360-degree views and an additional 3,500 square feet of alfresco living space with a hot tub and firepit (one of nine fireplaces in the home). The living spaces include a chef’s kitchen with a casual dining area, a formal dining room, a double-height living space with galleried second level, a wood-panelled study/den, and a glass-enclosed sunroom. Residents can dock their boats next door at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Villa Supérieure in Portland, Oregon

This 20-acre estate in western Portland has a patio with outdoor kitchen and lounge and a garden terrace; both are warmed by firepits for year-round enjoyment.

Villa Supérieure has a spectacular location on 20 private acres atop Skyline Ridge, overlooking the Tualatin Valley and the Pacific Coast Ranges, yet is just 20 minutes’ drive from downtown Portland and Silicon Forest. The unique custom-designed home was built using the finest materials and finishes, including woodwork, masonry, and travertine tiles. The centerpiece of the curved teardrop driveway is a stone fountain imported from France. Contemporary touches include radiant-heated floors and mood lighting. The fluid floor plan is optimized for comfort and style both indoors and outdoors. There are two outdoor firepits: The first is the focal point of a covered terrace with seating area and summer kitchen. The second firepit warms a landscaped stone terrace. A rear terrace overlooking verdant lawns, fields, and woodland is another alfresco retreat. The primary suite, one of four bedrooms, has its own balcony with a view of the valley and mountains, as well as a deluxe bathroom and double walk-in closet. A fully equipped gym and separate two-bay garage are additional amenities.

Desert Highlands Retreat in Scottsdale, Arizona

This serene retreat in Scottsdale’s Desert Highlands is a delight for all the senses. The property includes a main residence and two private guest casitas arranged around a central patio with a fireplace and swimming pool.

This serene residence in the exclusive private community of Desert Highlands in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a fine exemplar of Territorial Adobe architecture. The principal house and its two private guest casitas are arranged around a central patio with fireplace and swimming pool. The homes feature master-crafted stonework and intricate carving throughout. The charming galley-style kitchen opens out to formal and informal living and dining areas with viga ceilings and kiva fireplaces. There are three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms. The owners’ suite is a sumptuous private retreat with dual bathrooms, closets, and offices. It occupies the upper level of the main house to take in the panoramic views of Pinnacle Peak and the city lights.