A saltwater pool, outdoor kitchen, fireplace and covered living spaces create a year-round retreat for the Serranos to enjoy entertaining, recreation and quality time together
By Morgan Cartier Weston | Photography by John Michael Simpson
The Serrano family – Chrissy, Jose and their kids, Robbie, 18, Sofie, 15, Leo, 12, and Camille, 10 – graced our 2023 holiday issue just two years after settling into life in their Colvard Farms home. Even then, they had already made significant progress transforming much of the indoor spaces, renovating the kitchen, dining, pantry, living and bar areas to better suit the family of six’s active lifestyle. Since then, the Serranos have turned their attention to maximizing enjoyment beyond the home’s four walls, creating a backyard retreat designed for gathering and entertaining in addition to everyday living. With summer fast approaching and work on the outdoor living spaces wrapping up, it felt like the ideal time to return and see the transformation firsthand.
Chrissy and Jose worked closely with John Michenfelder of White Oak Group Outdoor Living to design distinct spaces for various backyard activities: swimming, play, cooking, dining and relaxation. “Our family uses the yard in so many different ways, from dogs running around to kids in the pool, adults tanning, family fire pit time and wine nights with friends,” Chrissy says. “I didn’t want it to feel cluttered, so we created several shared zones.” They considered sun exposure, shade and wind patterns to make each area comfortable throughout the day and across seasons.
The family garden has created new opportunities for the Serranos to spend quality time together. Enclosed raised beds protect fruits and vegetables from deer and other wildlife, while nearby storage keeps gardening and pool tools neatly organized.
Construction on the pool itself moved relatively quickly, though the inspection process slowed the timeline down a bit. The family also invested considerable effort into ensuring every new element blended seamlessly with the existing exteriors. White brick walls that match the home’s facade cascade naturally down toward the pool deck, softened by a layer of lush plants that give the transition a polished, cohesive feel. The saltwater pool is flanked by a patio and lounge chairs on one side and the family’s vegetable garden on the other. “This summer, we’re growing tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers,” Chrissy says. Beyond the pool, an open parcel of lawn remains to give the kids and family dogs, Zion and Peaches, plenty of room to stretch their legs.
A stately brick fireplace anchors the outdoor living room. Though the structure came from a kit, Chrissy added the copper chimney cap herself. “It completes the look,” she says.
The living room’s sliding glass doors open to a spacious covered deck, made even more functional thanks to the addition of Phantom retractable screens that extend its use year-round. Chrissy selected a durable hardwood called ipe – pronounced “ee-pay” – to extend the deck and staircase leading down to the new pool area, complete with a built-in hot tub, which was completed in spring 2025. “The kids are in the hot tub nine times out of 10 in the spring and fall,” Chrissy laughs.
Still, the true centerpiece of the reno sits beneath the deck: a thoughtfully designed outdoor kitchen and living space that has quickly become the heart of the backyard. Jose can grill, smoke and prep meals simultaneously thanks to a kamado-style grill, gas grill, flat top and expansive counter space. Nearby, a built-in herb garden fills the corner between the staircase and the grilling area, and an airy dining area outfitted with ceiling fans and battery-operated lanterns invites guests to linger as conversations continue long after dinner ends. Steps away, the adjacent lounge area features a stunning wood-burning fireplace, creating the perfect setting for cozying up on quiet evenings with a drink and a book, or gathering the whole family for games and giggles.
The cozy dining table seats six, while overhead lighting and ceiling fans keep family and guests comfortable from brunch through late night gatherings.
These revived spaces delivered far more than a transformed backyard for the Serranos. “I feel like the value for what you get when you upgrade your yard is underrated,” Chrissy says. “You can redo your living room or a bathroom or something, and it’s really nice. But with this, I feel like I’ve actually brought something tangible that has altered how we live, and it’s given us way more time with our kids.”
