Converting a Hilly Backyard into an Outdoor Living Space (Ft. Thomas)
AFTER: A crushed stone patio and natural stone fire pit create an inviting hangout space with a backdrop of native ferns and shrubs
“The backyard looks like a different place—a place where we want to be.”
The Challenge
We live in a region of hills. This Ft. Thomas family wanted to enjoy their backyard rather than just struggle to mow its steep slopes.
BEFORE & AFTER: Before, a steep hillside made it difficult to mow and access the backyard, which mostly sat unused. Now, a gentle path lined with native plants leads to an inviting firepit on a crushed stone patio.
The design goals included creating an outdoor living space and developing the steepest areas into garden beds. The desire to have a gentle walk to the bottom of the yard without twisting an ankle was also important for accessing the new bee hives in this area.
Challenges included restrictive slopes, a healthy deer population and sewer/electric easements.
The Transformation
A native plant-centric design replaced difficult-to-mow sections of the yard with slope-stabilizing, low-maintenance plants. These plants also are deer-resistant, increasing their survival rates in an area with a large deer population.
AFTER: Timeless beauty, built to last. The dry-laid patio stone wall was constructed without mortar, allowing it to flex with the freeze and thaw cycles of our winters and allowing water to pass through.
