Crafting A Finger Lakes-Inspired Deck Masterpiece
The Finger Lakes region of upstate New York is famous for its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and thriving local wine and beer industry. You’ve likely admired this area's serene landscapes and cozy homes. But have you ever considered bringing a piece of that charm to your backyard?
At Keystone Custom Decks, we have years of experience creating customized outdoor living spaces as inspirational as the locales they are modeled after. In this blog, we’ll explore regional aesthetics and the allure of the Finger Lakes and show you how to construct and decorate a deck that embodies them.
Ready? Let’s dive in!
The History of the Finger Lakes Region
The Finger Lakes region is a wonderland of deep gorges, cascading waterfalls, sparkling lakes, and acres of forests, farms, vineyards, and breweries. Named for its series of long, thin lakes that resemble fingers, this region was formed by glacial movements millions of years ago. Its rolling hills and abundant waters make it a prime location for settlements and agriculture.
The region was first settled by the Iroquois tribes, who cultivated crops and thrived in its abundant natural resources. European settlers arrived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, bringing with them viniculture. By the 20th century, the region emerged as a leader in the wine industry, known for its world-class Rieslings and other varieties.
Later in the 2000s, microbreweries began to move into the region, taking advantage of the region’s reentry into growing hops after the industry died out in the early 20th century due to pests, disease and later, Prohibition.. Combined with an emphasis on craft brewing, the craft beer industry produces many of New York’s best beers and is home to a well-regarded craft beverage trail that draws in tourists year-round.
This region's natural and agricultural history has resulted in a distinct aesthetic for the Finger Lakes region. Let’s explore these aesthetics and how we can add them to your deck!
Including Finger Lakes History in Your Deck Design
The architecture and design choices prevalent in the Finger Lakes reflect its layered history and natural beauty. Here’s how to capture these aesthetics in your deck construction.
- Natural Materials: Wood, stone, and other materials can harmoniously blend with nature. TimberTech composite decking is the ideal choice for building a deck incorporating these features, as it is highly durable, looks like wood, and is easy to maintain.
- Color Palette: Think earthy tones like forest greens, deep browns, and shades of soft blue and gray, reminiscent of the natural scenery surrounding the lakes. These colors incorporate regional hues of blue freshwaters, lush green forests, fields and hillsides, and the lovely amber and auburn-kissed Finger Lakes sunrises and sunsets.
- Craftsmanship: Whether your home is in the classical Greek Revival style, majestic Victorian, understated Craftsman, or contemporary modern, many houses in the Finger Lakes region were very well-built and beautifully designed, partly due to the prosperity of the area brought by the completion of the Erie Canal. Whether hand-carved railings or meticulously laid stone paths, the attention to detail will elevate your deck.
Now that we’ve discussed the Finger Lakes' aesthetics and unique characteristics let’s look into how we can bring a little bit of the Finger Lakes into your backyard.
Let’s get started!
Designing Your Finger Lakes-Style Deck
As discussed earlier, you’ll want to create an environment that showcases the best the region offers, from the stunning views to its food and drink culture. Designing a deck that embodies the Finger Lakes’ charm involves more than just selecting materials and colors. Here are some vital considerations:
1. Multi-Functional Spaces:
Your deck should be more than just a place to lay back on a chair and relax. You can transform it by designating areas for various activities, such as dining, lounging, and even wine and beer tasting, surrounded by nature's majestic beauty.
You could include a built-in bar, wine rack, or beer fridge to honor the region's brewing and viticulture.
2. Seasonal Considerations:
To enjoy your deck throughout the year, a fire pit or heated seating for winter will create cozy, comfortable areas to enjoy the winter landscape. Shade solutions like pergolas for summer can provide shelter from the sun and rain while sitting on your deck. Check out our blog on how to create shade for your deck.
3. Integrate local flair into your design:
The Finger Lakes is brimming with history. You can incorporate antique furnishings from nearby estate sales and antique stores that evoke the history of the lake region. Using some of the websites of the local Finger Links antique stores for inspiration will help you decide what to look for.
4. Elements of the Finger Lakes’ Natural Beauty:
While your home may not be next to the lakes themselves, you can incorporate the natural elements of the region, in the form of plants for greenery and water features to evoke the waters of the lakes, both of which we will explore further in this blog.
With these considerations in mind, let’s start assembling the elements to build your backyard.
Bringing the Local Wine and Beer Industry Home
The Finger Lakes are not only known for its wine region, but also for its local beer industry and fine dining – all of which could be incorporated into your deck. Here’s how:
Outdoor Dining
- Consider an Outdoor Kitchen: Rather than spending your evening running back and forth from your kitchen with food and drinks while your guests mingle, why not do it all outside? The deck is the perfect place to install an outdoor kitchen. Enjoy your time with your friends while they sit around your kitchen island as you prepare their dinner.
Wine Features for Your Deck
- Wine Coolers and Storage: Wine coolers or dedicated wine storage systems with integrated decks add a luxurious touch and encourage more frequent outdoor gatherings.
- Tasting Area: A dedicated space for wine tasting, complete with a stone or wood bar, high stools, and elegant lighting, can be a focal point during dinners and celebrations. Add a charcuterie board with local meats and cheeses, and you have the perfect setting for a wine tasting.
Craft Beer Elements for Your Deck
- Beer Fridge: For the beer enthusiast, a small, built-in beer fridge can make your deck a go-to spot for craft beer enthusiasts. Enjoy spending a lazy Saturday afternoon with your friends, grilling burgers, and pouring beer flights.
- Kegerator: When you need to share that new IPA from the local brewery, installing a kegerator for dispensing local brews transforms your deck into a perfect place for casual get-togethers and summer barbecues.
Now that we’ve explored the options for entertaining your guests let’s add some accents to the deck to complete that Finger Lakes charm.
Outdoor Accessories for Your Deck
The right accessories can transform any deck into a Finger Lakes-style haven. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
1. Comfortable Seating:
What outdoor furniture is more synonymous with Upstate New York than the classic Adirondack chair? Combined with rustic wooden benches, you’ll have the perfect seating area to relax and converse in fresh air.
2. Cozy Textiles:
Soft cushions, blankets, and throws in earth-tone colors can make the space welcoming year-round and make an outdoor fireplace an inviting place to spend a fantastic summer evening.
3. Outdoor fireplace:
An outdoor fireplace will provide warmth and comfort for those chilly summer and cold winter nights. With blankets and cushions, it’s the perfect place to bundle up for some fireside chats with friends and family.
4. Lighting:
Enjoy a romantic evening sipping a local Reisling, lit by lanterns and fairy lights. A well-lit deck using warm LED lights can add a magical touch, especially for evening functions. Lighting can also provide your deck with added safety and security.
5. Greenery:
Incorporating potted plants and small trees that reflect the Finger Lakes’ flora is a great way to bring the area's natural beauty to your backyard. Native flowers and vines that bloom seasonally can add vibrant color and natural fragrances to your deck. For the wine lover, planters made from disused wine barrels would provide a rustic yet sophisticated way to grow plants on your patio.
You can even showcase your love of beer and wine by growing decorative hops or grapes around your deck!
6. Water Features:
Small fountains or a mini pond can add to the tranquil lakeside feel. We have many options for water features that will make your deck feel closer to the beautiful and peaceful lakes of the region.
Live the Finger Lakes Lifestyle Year-Round
Imagine your deck as a year-round retreat, allowing you to embrace the Finger Lakes lifestyle regardless of the weather. Here are some seasonal tips to maximize its use:
- Spring: Decorate with blossoming native plants and add new cushions in light, fresh colors. Adirondack chairs are the ideal furniture for enjoying the spring air.
- Summer: Retractable awnings or pergolas provide shade from the sun on hotter days, and outdoor fans help keep your deck cool.
- Fall: Update your décor with rich, warm tones. A roaring fire pit will complement the fall colors as you extend your time outdoors into cooler nights.
- Winter: Outdoor heaters create a warm space to embrace the snowy backdrop with cozy blankets and warm drinks. Our post on creating a family-friendly outdoor space offers more ideas for year-round enjoyment. A hot tub is the perfect way to enjoy the winter scenery while giving your muscles a well-deserved soak.
Updating your deck throughout the seasons provides an aesthetic that matches the environment and keeps it looking interesting with new changes every few months.
Conclusion
You should have a good idea of creating a Finger Lakes-style deck that is as picturesque and inviting as the region. From the history that enriches your design to the local wine and beer elements that add a touch of luxury, your deck can become a sanctuary for all seasons. Ready to make it a reality?
With over 40 years of specialized deck-building experience, you can trust Keystone Custom Decks to help you design and build the outdoor space of your dreams. Start planning your Finger Lakes deck today, and bring a slice of upstate New York into your backyard!