HOUSE & GARDEN Local Couple Creates Backyard Oasis

Local Couple Creates Backyard Oasis

WRITTEN BY: SHAILEEN KELLY LANDSBERG

Life has changed a great deal for everyone over the past two years, and the shutdowns at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic put a sudden stop to most people’s social lives. Zoom happy hours became the norm for many, but it was not the same as gathering together with friends.

One Orange couple took the initiative to think outside the box during this time and designed a backyard oasis, thoughtfully created to enable them to entertain in person with a flow that allows for social distancing when needed.

Town residents Laurie and Ron Ruotolo have transformed the back yard of their house into a homebased resort, taking care in design and sourcing of materials to develop a beautiful, spacious oasis.

The first thing that greets a visitor to this amazing space is a large fencedin patio area, with an in-ground pool, granite tables with rustic wine barrel bases, and a gorgeous two-sided stone fireplace. The flow then takes guests around the fireplace and into the majestic, covered bar and outdoor kitchen area, where much of the “magic” happens.

SHOPPING LOCAL

Laurie explained that the space was designed to be welcoming, functional, and able to accommodate a good number of people. “The bar is 28 feet long in total, with a granite top from Sasso Tile, who also did the flooring and tabletops. We feel strongly about shopping local so we used local contractors and merchants as much as we could for the materials and work. The space itself was constructed by a local company, Stephan Dykun Builders.”

KITCHEN AMENITIES

Cedar wood was used to build the bar and outdoor kitchen space, and the pergola overhanging the actual bar is yellow Alaskan cedar. It gives a rustic yet classy vibe and goes well with the stainless-steel commercialgrade appliances, doors to storage, and the stamped stainless bar base.

Appliances include, as Ruotolo shared, “everything you could possibly want.” A full-sized refrigerator as well as a smaller one, a dishwasher, full-sized griddle, grill, smoker, wet bar, and more stand at the ready for entertaining. Standing proud at the back of the outdoor kitchen is a full-sized gas and woodfired pizza oven, with counter space and condiment trays for pizza prep.

CONTINUING SPACE

As one exits the bar area through a gate at the back, the backyard oasis continues with a beautiful fire pit, plenty of comfortable seating, and gas lanterns. Beyond this area is a full-sized bocce court, lit by gas torches, used for Friday night bocce and pizza gatherings. An expansive yard stretches out to encompass these spaces. The bocce court was created by Newport Tennis, another local company.

Ron, who grew up in Orange and is involved with local organizations

Laurie and Ron Ruotolo.

such as Orange Rotary, Inland Wetlands Commission, and Orange Lions, and his wife Laurie were “inspired by the pandemic, and wanted to be outdoors with friends,” according to Laurie. “This space brings people together and keeps people engaged. We have Wi-Fi, and music on the outdoor speakers, and a television as well, and we enjoy having gatherings and watching others have a great time.”

The couple designed the outdoor space over the course of eight months with input from architect Hunter Smith. Laurie stated “Ron owns Ruotolo Mechanical, and I previously worked at Tile America and have design exposure, so between the two of us we had the experience to put it together. We had a different theme at first but because of the supply chain issues we had to change on a dime and compromise. Being open-minded has helped, and we love the result.” When asked what the couple’s favorite parts of the space are, Laurie smiled. “Ron’s favorite is the pizza oven and mine is the bar. I’m front of house and he’s back of house, and we have the best time.”

SPECIAL GATHERINGS

The couple hosts two themed parties per year, and they encourage their guests to dress for the theme. “We had a Woodstock-themed party, and it was great,” shared Laurie. “We even have a family member getting married out on the lawn area, and there are barn doors for a big window over the grill area, which makes it easy for the waitstaff to serve food right from the outdoor kitchen.”

The Ruotolo’s backyard oasis is truly a space where they and their friends and family can have fun and enjoy their time together. Laurie’s hope is that everyone will be inspired by their example to “do something with their own outdoor space” and create an inviting and comfortable place to gather at their own homes. 