Personal Stories

• Clients: Steve and Joy Ellinger
• Project: Backyard Landscape, Outdoor Lighting, and Outdoor Living
• Why: Their outdoor living area gives them another option for personal relaxation and for entertaining guests
• Extreme Exterior Services Used: Design, Construction, Lighting

As an experienced and respected architect, Steve Ellinger had a clear vision for his outdoor living area. He was looking for a team of people that could take his vision and make it a reality. “Every building I design, I want it built the best way possible. I was looking for a contractor who shows that same commitment; and I wanted to work with someone with the best business ethics and professionalism.” Thankfully Steve was able to find that in Extreme Exteriors. Steve’s son had worked for Randy Glenn, company president, and he knew the type of person Randy is. With his son’s personal experience and Steve’s knowledge of other projects that Randy had completed, he was comfortable moving ahead.  “Randy was able to execute my design in a manner that was very well done. He shared the vision and was very responsive.”

Steve and Randy were able to collaborate on a backyard design that helped define a large space. Steve and Joy’s property extends out for two acres, so they wanted to limit the view by creating a curved wall
and placing contemporary looking potted plants nearby. He wanted an overall look and feel that matched the modern design of his home. “If you have clean design, it will always look good,” he said.

Steve’s favorite aspect of the design is the fire table,
not only for its own appeal, but also how it contrasts with the water fountain. “The fire and water are totally contradictory, but complement each other at the same time.” The Extreme Exteriors team consulted Steve on the type of fire table he was looking for and was able to order it from a company in Los Angeles. Steve was pleased that Extreme Exteriors had the resourcefulness to find the right pieces to “complete the picture.” The Ellingers are looking forward to a second phase to the design and Steve wouldn’t consider using anybody else.  “My design was very different than what I’ve seen Extreme Exteriors do and I cannot compliment you enough.”

Clients: Kirk and Suzie Boyd

Project: Front and Backyard Landscape, Water Feature, Firepit, Pergolas

Why: Desire to have another complete outdoor living area to enjoy the beautiful views

Extreme Exteriors Services Used: Design and Construction, Outdoor Lighting

Like many Texans, Kirk and Suzie Boyd like to take advantage of the pleasant weather that we’re blessed with most of the year. They had this in mind when choosing their home site, which gives them a great view of the neighborhood’s greenbelt.  When it was time to start planning their outdoor living areas, Extreme Exteriors was recommended by their homebuilder.

Suzie and Kirk initially met with Randy Glenn, company president, and expressed their desires to include a water feature and a firepit in the design. Because the Boyd’s had a new home built, they were also interested in a landscape plan for the front and back yards.  “Randy jumped right on it,” Kirk said. “And as changes were made to the initial design, the designers immediately got back to me.” The Boyd’s wanted to xeriscape large areas of the front and backyard, choosing some sod to complement the look. A variety of plants including Mexican feather grass, vitex, and golden esperanza were added to create plenty of visual interest.

One challenge that arose during construction was the placement of one of the pergolas. The pergola pictured here is actually the second one built. The first pergola went further out over the water feature and Kirk and Suzie were very happy with how it looked. Unfortunately, city planners took issue with its proximity to property lines and it had to be taken down.  This second one was built at a slightly modified location. Kirk was happy with the way that the Extreme Exteriors team was able to manage this unforeseen challenge. “When there were issues with the pergola, everything was just taken care of. If I had a question, someone answered it in a friendly way.”

The Boyd’s now have a unique and beautiful outdoor living space. Kirk expressed how he’s happy with everything that Extreme Exteriors created, and hopes that anyone who’s thinking of enhancing their outdoors will take us into consideration.  We’re so pleased that Kirk and Suzie trusted us to help make their new home look absolutely amazing; and we hope they’ll create many happy memories as they enjoy their new outdoor living areas.

Clients: Olafemi and Janetta Olaseni

Project: Front Yard and Backyard Landscape, Irrigation, Retail, Outdoor Lighting, Pool and Spa

Why: “We’re people of excellence and our home reflects that. I thank God for everything he’s given us.”

Extreme Exteriors Services Used: Design, Construction, Retail, Routine Maintenance

The Olasenis wanted to create a beautiful outdoor space, and the Extreme Exteriors team began from square one. Their home was in a new development, so the first step was to clear away the scrub brush, add an irrigation system, and plant grass. The design plan for the front yard and backyard followed next, which included a pool in the backyard and an oil jar fountain in the front yard. Olafemi and Janetta had a chance to review pictures of different pools to choose which style they liked best. Olafemi said, “We were debating about including the spa, but I’m glad we did it. We go in there all the time.” His children and their friends love the pool and backyard so much that the kids’ friends don’t want to go home!

As evidenced from the pictures, the Olaseni’s design is nearly complete. Stone will be added around the fountain’s perimeter, more pottery will be added, and the Extreme Exteriors team will add  gutters to the Olaseni’s home as rainwater tends to wash away mulch from the front flower beds. Olafemi is also excited about having the maintenance team keep the yard looking great. “I don’t have time for it and I don’t like to do yard work myself, so it’s good that I can have Extreme Exteriors do the maintenance.” One of Olafemi’s favorite things about working with Extreme Exteriors is the open lines of communication. “The customer service is really good. I can call and ask a question and receive a prompt reply. I appreciate the responsiveness.” He’s also happy with the price of the pool. He had called other pool designers and felt that the price was too high. “Extreme Exteriors’ cost was very reasonable,” he said.

He likes how Extreme Exteriors was able to use his water well for the pool and hooked up everything in a logical manner. He feels like the pool is easy to maintain, and especially enjoys using his remote control from inside the house to warm up the pool, so that it’s the perfect temperature when they’re ready to go out.

Olafemi and Janetta have a lot of guests over and feel a sense of satisfaction and pride in how their home looks from every angle. Olafemi said, “It was a collaborative effort, and in the end we got exactly what we wanted. I would recommend Extreme Exteriors to anyone.”

Clients: Karen and Tom O’Brien

Project: Pool Remodel, Backyard Landscape, Outdoor Lighting

Why: To create a beautiful, inviting extension of their home

Extreme Exteriors Services Used: Design and Construction

In a private oasis in Midland, you’ll find Karen and Tom O’Brien enjoying their redesigned pool in a setting distinguished by beautiful pavers and lush landscaping. But it wasn’t always that way. Theoretically, Karen and Tom’s backyard should have been low-maintenance.  But in reality, problem areas begged for a solution. “The brown tiles showed all of the dirt and several of them were coming loose,” Karen said. “Not only that, the pool deck drainage system was ineffective. We did have the option to simply redo the existing tile work, but we decided we wanted to redesign for a simple, peaceful aesthetic.”

Karen and Tom had a vision of how a redesign of their pool area would appear, and Extreme Exteriors worked with them to realize the look they desired. They wanted to retain the functionality of the pool which features a deep end and elevated deck, but they wanted a distinctive, tasteful appearance. “I wanted something other than the grey plaster that was there, and I wanted to add just a tiny bit of color. The staff at Extreme Exteriors helped me a lot in making selections that would go well together.” Karen and Tom opted to go with an eye-catching tile called “Mariana Green” which was set both below the deck and around the pool’s perimeter. Their pool floor is finished in a contrasting pebble plaster, “Black Onyx.” They also elected to place crème brulee Versailles travertine pavers that look beautiful, hide dirt effectively, and allow any standing water to drain off smoothly. An additional design change called for removal of a large, non-functioning fountain at the south end of the pool. Extreme Exteriors team members broke up the fountain and at first glance, Karen said, “it looked like a stick of dynamite had gone off in the backyard!” Karen was prepared though because “Jake told me, it’s going to look a lot worse before it looks better.”  Karen said she enjoyed watching the pool take on a new life. “I would watch the guys work and I’d sit there and be amazed as they added the pavers.” Extreme Exteriors not only added new pavers around the pool, but also extended a walkway to the side yard to achieve a consistent look. The deck area overlooking the pool was an existing feature that Karen and Tom wanted to keep, mainly because their grandkids like to jump from it into the deep end. The elevated deck was pulled apart during the pool resurfacing and tile work, but steps were taken by the Extreme Exteriors team to make sure it all came back together seamlessly. Karen added her own patio furniture and pottery to complete the look of her tranquil backyard. “We have so many views of the pool—from the den, from the front room, and from Tom’s office.   We wanted a serene, zen-like feeling.” And that’s what Extreme Exteriors achieved, leaving Karen and Tom very happy with the finished pool and pool deck. They were originally introduced to Extreme Exteriors by friends, and now they’re sharing their good experience with others. “We’ve recommended Extreme Exteriors to several people. We’ve been really pleased.”

Meet Micah and Erin Greathouse

• Clients: Micah and Erin Greathouse
• Project: Front Yard and Backyard Landscape, Pool, and Outdoor Living
• Why: Being able to host family and friends improves their quality of life as they make special memories
• Extreme Exteriors Services Used: Design, Construction, Routine Maintenance, and Retail

Micah and Erin Greathouse have enjoyed their Extreme Exteriors pool for several months and recently decided they would like a pool house added. They contacted our designers and set the process in motion.

We’re highlighting them this month as one of our favorite works in progress.  Homeowner Erin Greathouse recently spoke with us about her plans and what she’s looking forward to most. When asked what her biggest motivation was in adding to their existing space, she said, “We wanted a space where our family and friends could come together and enjoy our outdoor oasis.  Whether it’s the pool during the heat of the summer or watching football in the game room during the fall and winter.”

Erin is looking forward to utilizing the space for parties, a play area for her daughter and friends, and taking advantage of the new steam shower.

“Extreme Exteriors has been a joy to work with. They have been open to every idea and any change that we’ve thrown at them. Although the project has grown immensely from what we originally planned they have accepted the challenge! We are so excited to see the finished results and are looking forward to using the pool house of our dreams.”

Extreme Exteriors is thrilled with the opportunity to further enhance the Greathouse’s backyard oasis. Working together, their vision is getting closer to becoming a reality!