We recently finished a remodel in which I wanted to create an elegant, outdoor, entertainment area right off the kitchen. 
A space like this screams “built-in-grill” but the budget would not afford a full outdoor kitchen. Never one to let a measly budget get in the way… I made do with a little cement, a good craftsman and a stainless steel, brand-new, on-sale grill from Sears.
Purchasing a regular gas outdoor grill from Sears for $250, we removed the bottom platform from the grill. Constructing the built in cupboards, I wanted the entire encasement to look as if it was made out of stone. I found a craftsman that had previously worked at Walt Disney World building fake trees for the park… he was able to use the same techniques to create fake stones and even fake wood trim for a truly built-in-look. His time and materials came to just under $450. The cement would actually hold up better than stone with the grilling so this was not only a good cost saving option but also a good functional design.
Putting a final touch on the BBQ, I created a small sun on the front of the BBQ leaving my own little mark on the work. A rewarding project, it made a huge impact on the yard and the space and rumor has it, the homeowners are still happily grilling away!
What are the folks saying?