Outdoor Rooms for Optimal Entertaining
Location: Springfield, VA | Years: 2021 and 2022
The Goal and the Challenge:
This family had an existing patio, but it didn’t give them enough space to truly entertain guests because the cooking area and patio set took up all of the usable space. They wanted a yard that allowed them to do multiple things simultaneously in the space. The yard itself was large, so the challenge was about making it more functional.
The How:
(1)
In order create to a functional space for the family to enjoy by themselves and with guests, our team needed to design then build various rooms that still flowed together naturally.
Retaining walls created raised garden areas that beautifully surrounded the outdoor rooms. Hardscapes defined the patio but also additional seating areas, such as the fire pit, bar, and picnic area.
Additional retaining walls created terraces of the vast grassy area, making it useable for guests to mingle and kids to play.
(2)
The idea to add wooden retaining walls to the design happened during an installation walk-through. We took measurements and drew up the plans for the smaller section to present to the client, who agreed to expand the scope and budget. The client loved the mix of stone and wood so much that they asked us to incorporate another wooden retaining wall.
We also worked with the client during the project to find the perfect focal piece near the bar and fire pit. The client stumbled upon Bart the Frog, and we knew that statue was the personal touch that made this design theirs.
The Results:
“We now live out here more than we dreamed possible,” said the client.
This family now enjoys a backyard that features an updated patio, path to use the lawn and a picnic table, tiered lawn for more usability in the grassy areas, and increased seating for enjoyment in each outdoor room. The yard features focal points throughout the space, such as Bart the Frog, trees in the raised gardens, a fire pit, and wooden walls on the perimeter.
