Archive for 'AOS UPDATES'

Local Spoken Here

May 26th, 2010. Published under AOS UPDATES. No Comments.

That’s right, we are a Austin bred family run business. We recently joined the Austin Business Alliance.  You have probably seen their signs and stickers up and around town.  This organization supports the growth, networking and livelihood of local business.  Here’s the spiel from there website.

“Austin Independent Business Alliance is a nonprofit organization of locally owned and operated independent businesses that have joined together to promote the cultural and economic benefits of shopping locally.  AIBA works to ensure the success of Austin’s local independent businesses so that we can continue to contribute to Austin’s rich character and vibrant quality of life. By preserving what is unique about our city, we can avoid becoming “Anywhere, USA.  Buy local whenever possible. Every time you spend a dollar at local, independent businesses you not only impact the cultural vitality of our community, but you also help build a stronger local economy.”

Our Fab Shop this week

February 11th, 2010. Published under AOS UPDATES. No Comments.

Here’s a couple random shots from in and around our shop this week.  We are working on some “Heavy Metal” tables, bar stools, and steel countertop  with a Rock N Roll theme for Music Labs.  We are also building a seriously cool table base out of hot rolled steel. Enjoy the pics…

A ton of new pictures…

August 5th, 2009. Published under AOS UPDATES, Custom Interior, Railings, Steel Landscaping. No Comments.

Hot Rolled Steel Fireplace Hearth, Built in place

From 2009 Pics

Hot Rolled Steel Divider Panel, This was built from one sheet of 1/4″ steel so the heat patterns of the steel would travel through the panel.

From 2009 Pics

A fresh coat of lacquer

From 2009 Pics

Custom Structural Steel bracket,

From 2009 Pics

Can you believe this backyard is only 9′ deep? The transformation was incredible. The poly gal fence conceals the once over bearing AC units.

From 2009 Pics
From 2009 Pics
From 2009 Pics

This railing was built using 1/2″ x 2″ solid steel bar for the posts and 1/2″ round bar for the horizontal runners. It was capped in cedar.

From 2009 Pics

I love the way this corner detail turned out.

From 2009 Pics
From 2009 Pics

We collaborated with Land Interactive on this project. They have fantastic vision. We installed the steel for them.

From 2009 Pics

This is the same project as above. We terraced the courtyard with 1/4″ steel. We formed 9′ boxes that work their way down the property.

From 2009 Pics
From 2009 Pics

These planters were built for the “Mr Chow” restaurant that is at the new W Hotel in Miami Florida. We used Corten steel and added heavy duty casters so they could be rolled in during the severe weather. This is what 5000 lbs of steel looks like.

From 2009 Pics

We are almost done with this gate. It will be fitted with frosted acrylic panels and our custom stainless lever latch.

From 2009 Pics

This Ipe planter was built reclaimed Ipe. The metal frame was powder coated bronze.

From 2009 Pics

We love this house. If you look at our “landscape” and “Doors” section you’ll see the rest of it. The “Coolest Screen Door Ever” resides here. This gate was powdercoated silver and built to last out of 10 ga 2″x3″ tubing. The panels are frosted acrylic.

From 2009 Pics

We designed this latch, because frankly there just aren’t any cool off the shelf latches out there. This stainless latch automatically latches when shut. It rides on internal bronze bushings and is spring loaded.

From 2009 Pics

We worked with a local Austinite who wanted to transform his lot into an organic farm with 4′x4′ square foot garden table. So we built 56 of them. It was a lot of work, but it turned out real cool.

From 2009 Pics

The steel frame was simply painted and the wood is Angel’s heart

From 2009 Pics
From 2009 Pics
From 2009 Pics

We built this steel privacy fence to mimic the divide panel on the inside of the house.

From 2009 Pics
From 2009 Pics
From 2009 Pics

This automated driveway gate was a calaboration with the client. She came over and drew the gate on several pieces of steel and we cut it out. We actually welded a bead on the entire edge of the tree to give it depth. The branches were banded with hand hammered steel flat bar. The entire gate was was left natural to patina and the branches were hand painted by the home owner.

From 2009 Pics

Moving on Up…To the South Side

October 13th, 2008. Published under AOS UPDATES. No Comments.

After months of working out of my garage, Austin Outdoor Studio, LLC is moving to its very own location. We are extremely excited about this move and what it means for the business. It means the ability to provide even better service and produce even more products for our customers.

Come and check us out!

From AOS – New Shop Location
From AOS – New Shop Location

4505 Terry O Lane
Suite A106
Austin, TX 78745
512-577-0988

Free Press is Good Press…

July 25th, 2008. Published under AOS UPDATES. No Comments.

You got to love free press. If you saw yesterdays(7/23/08) Austin American Stateman’s Life and Styles section you might have seen the write up on Sanctuary, and front and center is a picture of my 48″ Parker Bench It’s too bad I didn’t get a plug, but hey pictures speak louder than words. Unfortunately the bench is no longer at Sanctuary, but has been brought back home to IF+D.

Ipe, What Is It?

May 31st, 2008. Published under AOS UPDATES, furniture. No Comments.

Ipe (EE-pay), is a beautiful Brazillain hardwood that is an excellent choice for outdoor use because of its unique properties. Some of its highlights as follows:

1) Hardness, almost 3 times as hard as Oak

2) Decay Resistant, Rated by the US Forest Products Lab for 25 years plus.

3) Fire Resistant, has a rating of Class A by the NFPA or class 1 by the UBC


I chose this wood for it’s beauty, durability and clean consistant grain. This wood is also a great product to be used decks, fencing or planters. This material does cost more than your typical cedar, but its beauty and longevity more than make up for the difference. If you are interested in learning more about this wood and its uses please contact us or one of our local suppliers here in the Austin area. It is available at both Austin Wholesale Decking and Everwood Decking

Spring Sale, Entire Month of April!!

April 6th, 2008. Published under AOS UPDATES. No Comments.

I am putting three planters on sale this month. These are all small planters and are made with a thinner 14 gauge material steel in order to keep the prices low.
The 12″x12″x24″ Tower is made without the trim boarder.

I also made some 12 x12 cubes.

The tapered planter 9.5″ at the base and 12.5″ at the top and measures 15″ tall. The edging is 1″x 1″ angle iron.

I have a couple of these in stock, but can easily make more within a couple days. Give me a call with your needs. Enjoy this beautiful time of year.

Here we go!!

March 18th, 2008. Published under AOS UPDATES. No Comments.

Hey guys, I guess it’s time I get this blog started.
First a little about me. I’ve been in Austin since 01′ after graduating from Texas A&M with a Mechanical Engineering Technology degree. I’ve worked in and around town trying to find where I fit. I worked for the large tech companies, ie Applied Material, smaller cooler companies in the in rock concert lighting industry, ie High End Systems and Element Labs, and have labored in the construction industry as a superintendent, as well as a stint in Real Estate. My passion my whole life has always been getting right down to business and getting my hands dirty, whether it’s restoring old cars or fixing up old houses.
After getting involved in the home building and selling business, I found another true passion of mine…Architecture. Clean modern lines, simple elegance, classic cues and tasteful uses of materials. I was fortunate enough to have the background to manage and build my home here in Austin. I worked with a local Architect and good friend, Bob Shelton to completely renovate the house I currently call home. You’ll see some pics of it used throughout the website. I fell in love with all the wonderful landscaping in this town and decided to try my hand at all the steel work for my house.
I have always been an entrepreneur at heart, and have been trying to figure out the business that would allow me to be creative, get my hands dirty, work with people in a creative way, and most of all just have fun.
Austin Outdoor Studio came about after a series of events. My wife and I were expecting our first child and I was let go from my job along with about 30% of the company a whole 3 weeks before our son was born. I quickly contacted everyone I knew and got to work doing anything and everything I could. I found it very easy to find side work doing remodeling on houses and helping Uptown Modern, (now carrying my products) get some work done to open her second part of her store. With Jean’s (owner) support I put together a few products and placed them for sale at her store. This got the wheels turning and I quickly brainstormed several products I want to develop and put together a plan so I can make this all work. I recently formed the company and am eager to get invloved in this incredible community we have here in Austin.
Definitely looking forward to it!
-Jonathan Duke

My wonderful new son, Parker and I