These homeowners called us after we finished a landscaping project in their neighbor’s yard. They were impressed by what they saw, and hoped we could help them with their own project. Our clients wanted to expand their patio to include a fire pit, a grill area with enough room for a smoker, dining table and chairs, and a paved path to the driveway. They also wanted to improve their front and backyard landscaping, raise their retaining wall, and incorporate a pondless waterfall in the new design. This water feature became the centerpiece of the project.
Our goal was to build a new patio that was big enough to include all the features the clients wanted, correct the retaining wall’s height, and beautify the surrounding landscape to make the space more enjoyable for our clients. The whole project took about six weeks to complete. The patio construction began in the spring, and the final landscaping in the front yard was finished in the fall of the same year. The wall retaining the slope of the backyard was raised to adequately support the grounds.
For the patio and sidewalk, we laid earth-toned concrete pavers in a simple but interesting square pattern. The low decorative wall around the fire pit was built for seating and to define the area of the patio in the yard. The water feature was constructed with massive weathered sandstone slabs that gave the impression they had been there for quite some time. Smaller stones integrate the water feature and patio together. The neutral-colored stones of the waterfall and patio blend naturally into the landscape; neither dominates the yard.
The waterfall was framed with a unique blue spruce that will provide color all year. The rest of the backyard was mulched and planted with shade trees, perennials, and shrubs to add seasonal colors in spring and fall. The house and patio are now screened from neighboring yards with a line of evergreens to give our clients some privacy. For evening use, we installed low voltage lighting along the sidewalk and around the patio to create a full moonlight glow.
The patio now has a spacious country resort feel, and gives the owners a personal outdoor haven to enjoy year-round. Questions about this project? Send us an email or give us a call at (317) 997-4803.
