How a Stone Fireplace, Travertine Floors, and a Custom Outdoor Kitchen Transformed a Sunnyvale Backyard
Some of the most beautiful outdoor living projects are not the biggest ones. They are the ones where every material was chosen intentionally, every detail was thought through, and the finished result feels like it could not possibly be any other way. That is exactly the kind of project Buildometry recently completed in Sunnyvale, Texas, and it is a perfect example of what can be achieved when a client knows what they want, a builder listens carefully, and the right materials come together around a clear vision. Based in Rockwall and serving homeowners throughout the DFW Metroplex, including Sunnyvale, Heath, Forney, Rockwall, Rowlett, and surrounding communities, Buildometry is an owner-operated outdoor living company with over 30 years of construction experience. We design and build custom, turn-key outdoor spaces that feel like genuine extensions of the home. This project shows exactly what that looks like in practice.
The Vision: Sun Block, Wind Block, and a Space That Belongs
The homeowners came to us with a clear goal. They had mature trees in their backyard, but those trees were not providing the level of protection from the sun and wind they actually wanted. They needed something more substantial, something architectural, that could serve as a true barrier while also anchoring the outdoor space visually and functionally.
The answer was a large, oversized outdoor fireplace, built with purpose and scale. This was not simply a decorative feature. It was a structural element designed to block both sun and prevailing wind while giving the outdoor area a commanding focal point. Because of its size and the significant weight load involved, we started with a substantial concrete footing beneath the structure, built to handle the long-term demands of a masonry fireplace of this scale.
The fireplace was designed to be fully functional with a chimney running through the roof, allowing for both natural gas and real wood burning. The clients wanted flexibility, and they got it.
The Fireplace: Chop Stone, Granite, and a Herringbone Detail That Elevates Everything
The fireplace itself was built in chop stone, a natural-looking masonry finish that complemented the existing stone on the home and gave the structure an organic, rooted quality. The hearth was finished with a granite surface carrying a leather texture, which means it is not polished smooth but has a subtle, tactile depth that reads beautifully in natural light and holds up exceptionally well to outdoor conditions.
Inside the firebox, a herringbone pattern was laid into the back wall. This is the kind of detail that most people might never consciously notice, but that every person who sees it feels. It elevates the fireplace from a functional structure to a genuine piece of craftsmanship, and it is exactly the kind of decision that separates a well-executed outdoor project from a forgettable one.
The oversized mantle completes the fireplace elevation with a strong horizontal presence that anchors the entire space visually.
The Flooring: Travertine Pavers Over Concrete, Chosen to Tell a Cohesive Story
Flooring in an outdoor space does more than cover the ground. It sets the tone for the entire area, defines zones, and either ties the design together or leaves it feeling disconnected.
In this Sunnyvale project, the clients chose travertine pavers laid over a concrete base. The selection process was deliberate. They wanted a color palette that reflected the natural warmth of the existing stone on the house, harmonized with the new stonework on the fireplace, and tied in the dark chocolate brown tones present in the ceiling and the mantle above. The travertine achieved all three.
Travertine is an excellent choice for DFW outdoor living spaces for reasons beyond aesthetics. It handles thermal expansion and contraction across Texas seasons better than many alternatives, it remains relatively comfortable underfoot even in summer heat compared to darker stone, and its natural color variation means it only becomes more beautiful as it ages.
The Kitchen: Simple, Purposeful, and Exactly What the Client Needed
The outdoor kitchen was the third major element of this project, and the approach here reflects something important about how Buildometry thinks about outdoor builds. Bigger is not always better. The right kitchen is the one that serves the way you actually live, not the one that looks most impressive in a photograph.
This kitchen was intentionally kept simple. It includes a burner, a large grill, storage, and a trash bin. A stone backsplash doubles as a bar ledge, and the granite countertop ties directly to the granite finish on the fireplace hearth, creating material continuity across the entire space. The backsplash was also designed with power access in mind so nothing falls behind the counter during use.
If the clients ever want to build out the back side into a full bar top, the structure is already positioned to accommodate it. But the beauty of this build is that it functions perfectly right now, exactly as it is, without anything feeling incomplete or temporary.
The Lesson: Details Are What Make an Outdoor Space Memorable
The total investment on this Sunnyvale project came in just under $53,000. It is not the largest project Buildometry has completed. But it demonstrates something that holds true regardless of project scale: the details are what you remember.
The leather-textured granite. The herringbone firebox. The travertine colors chosen to echo what was already on the house. The oversized mantle. The material continuity between the kitchen countertop and the fireplace hearth. None of these are expensive decisions in isolation. Together, they are the difference between a backyard that looks like it was assembled and one that looks like it was designed.
That is the standard Buildometry holds for every project across Sunnyvale, Rockwall, Heath, Forney, and the broader DFW Metroplex.
Ready to Design Your Own Outdoor Destination? Let’s Start the Conversation.
Whether your vision involves a statement fireplace, a custom outdoor kitchen, beautiful hardscape, or all three, Buildometry is ready to bring it to life. We collaborate closely with every client to ensure the final result exceeds expectations and feels completely, authentically yours. Contact Buildometry today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward an outdoor space you will love for years to come.