The "entertaining" patio at this residence in Guilford County, N.C., makes use of Mega Arbel stone, while the 11-foot-tall and 7-foot-wide fireplace is made from 700 sq. ft. of natural Tennessee fieldstone. The fireplace is equipped with two wood storage boxes.

Four steps down from the "entertaining" patio is a secondary patio that leads to the kitchen and dining area covered by an all-wood pergola. Due to grading issues, several retaining walls were added to the property; many of these walls include seating for guests.

Lighting throughout the project includes a total of more than 70 Clarolux fixtures, such as uplights, wall lights, grill lights, and bullets, all of which are linked to an automated, dimmable system that can be controlled from a computer or phone.

When Southern Exposure, a landscape contracting firm in Summerfield, N.C., arrived at this site, the backyard had a simple design with a lawn area, several trees and a Koi pond. Their mission was to create a soothing, calm space, where the homeowner could retreat, and since the property sits in front of a quiet woodsy area, it provided an ideal place to accomplish that. So a four-man-crew got under way and two months later had completed this custom residential hardscape project.

Demolition and Design
The demolition of the backyard began with the removal of five trees. Next, the property was excavated and graded with a T300 Bobcat and a SK755 Ditchwitch, which took three days. One of the challenges going into the project was the grading issues, which were addressed by adding multiple retaining walls.

As the homeowners were very much involved with the design process, they suggested the use of natural stone to complement the home's outdoor accents, and selected natural Tennessee fieldstone for the retaining and seat walls, as well as the fireplace. They also chose Belgard Mega Arbel stone for the two 2,045 sq. ft. patios. The new design includes an entertaining patio, a pergola-covered kitchen with bar, two walkways, two sets of steps, a fireplace and seat walls.

The 14-foot by 14-foot pergola is finished and painted in white; this area offers seating at the counter bar, dining table and seat wall.

The new backyard design extends to the driveway, where this natural Tennessee fieldstone retaining wall was installed. The steps bring you to a walkway with curbstone edging that leads to the "entertaining" patio.

The outdoor kitchen area has a natural gas grill, which was supplied by the homeowner, and a counter bar made from natural Tennessee fieldstone and granite.

This shot shows where the two patios meet. The step's risers are veneered with natural Tennessee fieldstone. The treads are Versalok bullnose.

Eight natural Tennessee fieldstone steps lead from the fireplace and sitting area to the 20-foot by 40-foot pond that already existed on the property. Although this area was not part of the re-design, it did receive 17 bullet, path and underwater fixtures.

Retaining Walls, Steps & Walkways
Although the front of the house was not part of the re-design, the side of the house received a retaining wall and set of steps where the driveway and side of the house meet. Three steps up from the driveway is a walkway made of Mega Arbel with curbstone edging. This walkway leads to the entertaining patio with fireplace, which is made from the same stone.

The second walkway is made of eight natural Tennessee fieldstone steps, and leads patrons away from the fireplace and entertaining patio to the 20-foot by 40-foot pond, which already existed on the property. Although the pond was not part of the re-design, it did receive 17 bullet, path and underwater fixtures.

A second set of steps, made from natural Tennessee fieldstone with Versalok bullnose treads, leads from the entertaining patio with fireplace down to the secondary patio that has a pergola-covered kitchen with bar and a dining area that seats eight. The all-wood, 14-foot by 14-foot pergola, finished and painted in white is lit with four uplights and four backsplash lights.

Entertaining Patio
The entertaining patio with fireplace is made from Belgard Mega Arbel stone, while the 11-foot-tall and 7-foot-wide fireplace is made from natural Tennessee fieldstone. The fireplace is equipped with two wood storage boxes, one on each side of the center hearth.

The Final Touches
To create the outdoor kitchen and bar, granite countertops were added to the natural Tennessee fieldstone structure that encloses the grill, which the clients already owned.

Clarolux light fixtures, which are made in the USA, were utilized to illuminate the hardscape area, landscaping, and pond. More than 70 fixtures were used, including uplights, wall lights, grill lights, and bullets, all of which are linked to an automated, dimmable system that can be controlled from a computer or phone.

The project had several challenges, beginning with the grading issues, however this was easily fixed by designing multiple retaining walls into the plan. Many of these walls also include seat walls for entertaining purposes. The project was also done during the winter months, so inclement weather was another challenge.

Although new plants were incorporated into the design, this was something the homeowner decided to do as a DIY project.