Published: June 01. 2010 2:00AM

By Stephanie Trotter
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Summertime and the living is easy. Or so the song goes, right? The reality is the heat and humidity of deep summer make the simplest of tasks hard. Admit it, a temperature in the high 90s drains everyone of the energy to do anything. But the relaxed schedule of the season brings breathing room for carefree get-togethers. It’s a shame to let this opportunity fade away and die like hydrangea blooms in late August.

Before Labor Day approaches, be sure to kick back with friends and family as much as possible. Hosts don’t have to put on a starched apron and stress out getting ready to throw a formal affair. Instead, let gatherings flow with the wind and will of those who are around. It doesn’t take much to make it happen as long as a few pieces are in place. The needed elements can vary from home to home and party to party, and are actually quite basic. Here’s your invitation to learn from a few who have created the perfect meeting spots.

Riverside

On the shores of the Enoree River you’ll find Amy and Jimbo Chapman’s favorite new place to hang out. “It’s fantastic,” says the busy Eastside mother of three. “It’s nice and shaded, but it doesn’t feel like an outdoor space, it feels like a totally separate room, like an extension of the house.” Rather than just stare out at their lushly wooded grounds, Amy and her husband built a fireplace, pergola and several seating areas that allow them to whoop it up in their backyard for hours at a time. The improvements expanded their useful living space some 20 yards off the original deck, all the way down to a walking path bordering the river.

Rarely a day goes by that neighbors don’t meet in this secluded, wooded enclave. “Our house is a revolving door of people,” Amy says jokingly. “We built it back by the river so we can sit and relax and listen to the water. It’s a fun place for the kids to have their friends over and play.”

Creating the right atmosphere was really important to Jimbo, a musician and guitarist with Cravin’ Melon. “It’s very casual, which fits our family’s lifestyle. It looks like it’s been there forever and it’s rustic. We didn’t want anything the kids could destroy. I like big wood, big stone, a chunky look that lends itself to ease and comfort.”

Feel is important, and knowing your family’s preferred sense of style is key when adding on to your home or yard. For instance, if you want casual, then don’t bring in stiff, traditional elements. “However you operate, you’re going to be more comfortable entertaining, and in turn your guests will be more comfortable,” advises Kate Tierney, owner of Twigs. Homeowners should also zero in on what types of activities they like best when friends are visiting. “If music is important, then think about where to place wires and speakers,” Tierney says. “If you like sports, include televisions. If you like to cook while you entertain, then create a big kitchen inside or out where folks can interact.”

Jimbo and his friend Rex Thomas with T-Rex Landscaping constructed the fireplace themselves. This was after he and Amy shopped around for ideas and poured through dozens of magazines and books. The outcome includes about 500 square feet of patio pavers, providing multiple settings for chairs, tables and settee. Now they can comfortably hold parties for 100. But it’s the peace and quiet of one that Amy likes best. “On the weekends, I grab the Sunday morning paper and a cup of coffee. Nobody’s up. The kids sleep in. We don’t go to church until 11:30. So I come down here, prop my feet up and don’t move until somebody wakes up.”

Poolside

The warmer months find a flurry of activity in Chris and Allison Levato’s backyard. Teens, toddlers and tons of friends fill the pool floats, as well as the lounge chairs and barstools nearby. “We love to watch games out here and entertain our friends,” Allison says. “We’re out here every single day.”

Typically they’re moderate gatherings of 10-20, combining the relations of a blended family. When the two married in 2008, they decided to keep Allison’s home, but transform the backyard into a showcase for fun. “We really wanted to make it our own,” says Chris, who has two teenage children from his first marriage. “We put in a pool, outdoor cooking area, pool house and several sitting areas. With the openness of the pool and pool house, everybody can swim and still see the TVs. We have speakers around the pool. Everything is lovely.”

From end-of-the-season lacrosse and soccer team parties, to birthday parties and business functions, the Levatos have perfected the art of the throw-down. “We have a gas grill and a Green Egg and outdoor cook station. We grill hot dogs, brats, hamburgers,” says Chris. His wife adds, “It makes it so nice, we don’t have to go in our house for anything. We can totally entertain out here.” Although they originally installed a refrigerator and icemaker, Chris thinks all you really need is a sink. “It’s easiest just having a big cooler and whatever you think you’re going to drink that day and just ice it down. Bring the food from the inside, or garage fridge,” he suggests.

Bob Wagner facilitates design and construction at Hot Springs Pools and Spas, which built the Lavatos’ new escape. “We’re seeing a lot more people create backyard entertainment centers,” he says. “Folks are wanting to stay home and use the resources they have. They want to enhance their living space.”

Not all projects are swimming pool-centered. “It can spin from a hot tub, a deck, a kitchen, a veranda area,” Wagner says. “Some include fire pits, water features, ponds. There are more material options today than five and 10 years ago. I’m talking bricks and sticks to manufactured stone and decorative concrete pavers.”

Nowadays, for instance, homeowners can create intimate settings with stamped concrete and designer embellishments. “Many of these are weather resistant and they’re made out of recycled materials, which brings a longer life span and less maintenance,” Wagner explains. “It broadens the outdoor living concept down avenues to do a lot more things. People come to us with all of their ideas and we can turn them into an affordable reality for everyday use.”

The Levatos and Chapmans are delighted with their outdoor retreats for entertaining. Chris Levato is the first to tell you, “It’s added way more value to our quality of life than to the value of the home — having your kids wanting to come here with their friends, and we have a 1-year-old who just loves the water. It’s a great little family deal.” Created with casual ease in mind, both homes now provide the perfect place to while away a summer day.