Our clients bought their home a while ago and had enjoyed the existing deck and pond for many years. However, it was getting to the point where everything was aging out – the deck was falling apart, the pond was leaking, the landscape lighting was not working, and the plants were overgrown. They asked us to update their backyard water feature area into an oasis of relaxation and beauty.
The goal was to create a one-level entertaining space that would accommodate outdoor dining, a portable firepit, an updated pond and a hot tub. We started by removing the deck and creating a larger and more formal patio area using Coldstream textured pavers. Stone steps were added for access from the home and the sunroom to the patio. A hot tub would sit at one end of the space as well.
For the firepit area, our clients were looking for a more rustic look. We used Blackhill standing stone – big pieces of very hard sandstone – to delineate the area from the patio, as well as the hard surface transition to the pond. Merging the paver to the sandstone took a lot of detailed cutting to ensure a cohesive look.
The pond redesign was so fun! We did not expand its footprint but rather altered the design a bit to add more interest and functionality. We began by fixing the leak. The skimmer box which holds the pump and the cleaning mechanism had not been attached correctly and the bolts had corroded at the waterfall. We reattached the box with stainless steel bolts and added a second, larger skimmer to accommodate the size of the pond. We altered the existing stone to use the full width of the existing waterfall and added a second one to the design. Blackhill standing stone was continued from the patio area as a lip over the pond to allow our clients to sit and soak their feet in the water. There had been a framing structure behind the pond that was falling apart, so we removed it and used tall yews to compete the focal point.
We also removed the overgrown landscaping, moved some plants to new areas and added in a few varieties. We repositioned existing and installed new lighting, including within the pond, to create a bucolic evening look to the space.
Our clients love their updated backyard water feature and patio, and now have a space they can use for the next 20 years! If your landscaping is at the end of its life, reach out to us. Send us an email or give us a call at (317) 997-4803.
