Some projects are about fixing a problem. This one in Kenilworth, Illinois was about building a dream — a complete, fully custom outdoor living environment designed and built from the ground up by National Brick Paver & Stone. From the bluestone patio surface to the built-in kitchen, fire pit, and gas-powered appliances, every single element of this project was engineered, designed, and installed by our team. This is one of the most complete outdoor living transformations we have ever delivered on the North Shore.
The patio surface is full dimension, full range color bluestone set in mortar with a mortar haunch — a structural concrete and mortar edge detail that locks the perimeter of the installation permanently and prevents any movement or separation at the border over time. If a contractor cannot execute and warranty a mortar haunch, they cannot deliver a project at this level. The bluestone was custom cut on site to fit the exact dimensions of the space, with seamless joints and a finished surface that will look as refined in 30 years as it does today.
The seat wall and cook island are each built on a 44-inch deep, rebar-reinforced concrete foundation — not a trench footing, but a full concrete pour across the entire footprint of each structure. This is the foundation standard for permanent outdoor structures on the North Shore, and it is what separates a built-in kitchen that lasts a lifetime from one that settles, cracks, and fails within a few seasons. The seat wall was built using CMU block with Eden wall veneer and thermal bluestone tops. The cook island was built to the same structural standard.
The outdoor kitchen is fully equipped — built-in BBQ grill, built-in Green Egg smoker, built-in pizza oven, and a built-in refrigerator, all supplied by a 1.5-inch gas line sized to run every appliance simultaneously alongside the home's interior gas supply without any drop in pressure. Gas line sizing for simultaneous indoor and outdoor demand is a technical detail most contractors never think about. We designed the system correctly from the start.
A natural stone gas fire pit with fire brick interior and bluestone tops anchors the gathering space — built to the same foundation and structural standard as the kitchen and seat wall. Full landscape design, grading, plantings, and lighting were completed across the entire property, with all subcontracting handled directly by National Brick Paver & Stone using trusted and proven trade partners.
This Kenilworth project represents everything National Brick Paver & Stone does at its highest level — structural engineering, custom stonework, gas systems, landscape design, and outdoor living design unified into one complete environment. If you are searching for an outdoor living contractor in Kenilworth IL, built-in outdoor kitchen North Shore Illinois, bluestone patio contractor Chicagoland, custom fire pit installation near me, or a complete outdoor living space transformation — this is the standard we build to.
We proudly serve Kenilworth, Winnetka, Wilmette, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Glencoe, Northbrook, Glenview, and all surrounding Illinois communities. Contact us today for a free consultation.
