My backyard renovation

15 years ago

We recently redid our backyard, and I absolutely love it. I want to be out there every evening. It's so soothing and relaxing.

I'm bummed I didn't take any 'before' shots but basically, where the large cement patio is, was redwood decking. It had railings and a bench all the way around (basically where you see the new cement wall is where the deck bench was). It was multi levels, dark and made the yard look so enclosed. I am soooooo glad it's gone. Also, the arbors weren't there before either. Tearing it out is something we've been talking about doing for years and just never did because we couldn't decide what exactly we wanted to do back there. Well, we figured it out and this is the end result.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (35)

carol_in_california
15 years ago
It looks so inviting! Great job and I am sure you and your family will enjoy it so much.
0
Lindsey_CA
15 years ago
Very nice! Yeah, sitting out there sipping a glass of wine in the evening would be very relaxing...

Is the watefall new, or was it there before?
0
Related Discussions
Backyard renovation -- crossing my fingers
Q
Comments (11)
I put down 4 pounds per 1,000-square-feet. (Though I know some here have applied at three pounds per thousand with good results too) I actually set the seeder to seed less than that and made multiple passes. The end result was about 4 pounds per thousand. The reason I did this was to ensure good coverage and that I didn't end up with little seeding rows from going in only one direction. I'm watering three times a day for about 7 minutes each. I should say I have watered at that rate. I think I'm now going to start watering twice a day for about 11 minutes each. The actual time you water really is determined by the conditions you face. I would start with three times a day and then see how the soil looks after a couple of days. You just want to ensure that you keep it moist at all times (but not puddling).
...See More
Need help choosing patio stairs
Q
Comments (4)
The box stairs thing seems like it would use a lot more lumber at a time when lumber prices are absolutely bananas. What's the reason for not building with stringers? Here's a landing and set of steps we did this spring: Closing in the riser faces and trimming them out makes a huge difference in terms of finished look, and you can either keep it open under the steps, or close it in. It would've been a one day build if we hadn't been shorted a railing panel.
...See More
Major backyard renovation turned my soil upside down
Q
Comments (30)
In my expereince biochar would be very beneficial in this situtation--along with a goodly amount of compost. Biochar at a mircoscopic level is incredibly porous. That porousness provides space for air and water to move as well as habitat for microscopic soil life. That microscopic life also redistributes the biochar application. Compost feeds the soil life. It is the entire kit and caboodle that is absent from subsoil. About 40 years ago, 45 acres of what is now my farm was phospate mined--a process that digs up the top foot or so of soil, runs it through machinery to extract the phosphate then dumps it back out to be redistributed across the field.. The result being that what was top soil becomes subsoil--not dissimilar to what you see pushed back against the foundations of new homes. Except here its acres and acres of it. The 30 years prior to our buying the place it was mostly used for hay--a process that removes the organic matter from being reincorporated with the soil only compounding the problem. As one freind said: "yeah, it's terrible hay, but it's better than snowballs." A couple years ago we began trialing a biochar product (49% biochar, 49% compost, 2% mycorrhizal fungus) in our pastures. And in my lawn. It is not like throwing down nitrogen where you get a quick hit, but over the course of time we're seeing some significant improvements in what the soil is able to grow and sustain. The spring following application I get a naturally occurring cover crop of white clover. Good stuff clover: fixes nitrogen, a thick root system that breaks up the packed soil and the horses love it. Then following the clover the ground becomes much more receptive to grass seed (fescue.) Undesirable weed grasses such as foxtail (terrible in grazing applications) that thrive in hard pan that won't support quality forage grasses is now getting out competed. I was told by my ag sources that the only way to get rid of foxtail was to start by rounduping the whole pasture, yet in the first year after the biochar application we had half what we normally have. I've done heavier applications in lawn areas around the house and again I've now got a bumper crop of clover in places that a year or two ago was packed dirt that grew nothing. Now if I lived in town, waiting a couple years for it to pan out to good lawn might be more patience than most have. But I'm happy with anything that is green and mows nicely. So in my expereince, when trying to remediate severely disturbed soil, biochar is not showing itself to be a gimick at all.
...See More
Pergola Help- Stuck Between Two Companies
Q
Comments (5)
Hi Patricia- I found quotes given to make a custom pergola too costly ($20,000-$30,0000) especially given the fact that the backyard renovation has already exceeded budget. According to my landscaper, a 10 x 13 would fit perfect on my deck- did not want to post pictures due to my backyard looking like a chophouse- but will be tabling the idea of a pergola for now given everyone's advice to wait and really define the style of my backyard since I just currently have the renderings. I may have bit on too much too quick. Thank you for all your input!
...See More
minnie_tx
15 years ago
Had no idea you lived in a mansion!! at least the backyard looks like it!!
0
susan_on
15 years ago
That is just beautiful! I would love to spend time in that yard too!
0
Jasdip
15 years ago
Wow, your yard is stunning. Absolutely tranquil. The green of the trees and lawn are soothing. I love the huge weeping willow in the distance. I too love waterfalls. Did you do it yourself? Are you in the warm climates?
0
Mickey15
15 years ago
Beautiful yard Steph! I love how Grant and Dakota snuck their way intot he pictures. LOL
0
lindaohnowga
15 years ago
I can see why you love it out there. It is just beautiful.
0
nodakgal
15 years ago
Oh my gosh! It is lovely!! I will volunteer to come sit with the kids and play out there!
Enjoy Stephanie!! You did a great job!
0
Mystical Manns
15 years ago
What a beautiful scene, Steph. Just lovely. I covet your waterfall. It is just plain wonderful, not like so many I've seen where they look fake. It looks so real! And I bet the sound of the water is just as soothing as can be. I can certainly understand why you would want to be outside every evening now!
0
lydia1959
15 years ago
That's beautiful Steph! You all did a great job. Enjoy it!
0
grammahony
15 years ago
Great job. Lots of light in places, and cool and shady in others.
Leslie
0
joan_mn
15 years ago
It is beautiful, Steph. I hope you enjoy it a lot!!
0
Toni S
15 years ago
Wow, very nice. Not only do you have a pretty yard and waterfall but I'm guessing, lots of muscles and a great tan after all that work. good job!
Our family has built several homes but that's where the buck stops. I've been slowly working on the yard by myself but it takes me to long to get the big jobs done I don't even try these busy summer days. I'm thinking once we get the horse arena springtoothed this weekend, I'm gonna give some big hints to dh about making half our yard into a horse paddock so there isn't so much to mow!! I think a waterfall would be great next to it but LOL, he would say sure, start digging.( Guess I better start working out.)
I like that you still have some big trees for shade too, its looks very inviting..
0
kim_okla
15 years ago
It's beautiful Steph. Like one of those HGTV shows. And the kids party pics are adorable.
0
Granlan_TX
15 years ago
Wow Steph, how lovely...the entire space!

It all fits so well with your home and looks like it came with the house..just a great design. :)

Did Brent make the arbors? Does Dakota like to drink from the water fall? lol

I know your family and friends will enjoy this backyard retreat for years to come. Makes a person want to grab some Sangria and bring the chips and dip. ;)

What a wonderful way to finish out the summer!
0
mrsmarv
15 years ago
What a lovely oasis you have there. That's the kind of backyard that epitomizes the word "staycation". Beautifully done!
0
caroline94535
15 years ago
Wow! It's like a tropical paradise.

My very favorite parts of the entire yard and garden are the three "patio ornaments" in the last four photos. One is blue, one is brindle, and one is pink/green/white!
0
maryanntx
15 years ago
I love it!!! I would be staying out there all the time. It's beautiful.
0
Jodi_SoCal
15 years ago
Gorgeous!

Jodi-
0
cheri2008
15 years ago
I liked the waterfall, interesting... no pond, I have a small pond and waterfall, I do enjoy it .. love the sound of the water, but the pond takes a lot of attention to keep out the algee and keep in nice looking,PLEASE explain how does this work, do you have a storage for the water that is covered under the rocks... how big , how much water, do you have a filter system....
0
williamsburgjane
15 years ago
Steph, your yard looks beautiful! I can imagine that took a lot of work. Looks like grant and Dakota are enjoying it too. :o)
0
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
15 years ago
Wow...Love it all...and it looks to be very private with the green walls. Is part of it some sort of vine or ivy on a fence?...or perfectly manicured shrubs?

I like the 'soft lines' of so much of it...so easy on the eye and soothing.

Sue
0
bearcat_va
15 years ago
Holey Moley! It's amazing! Color me jealous!
0
sheilajoyce_gw
15 years ago
How pretty!
0
kathi_mdgd
15 years ago
That's a gorgeous yard,and has all the right elements.TFS
Kathi
0
JennaVaNowSC
15 years ago
It is absolutely beautiful! What a wonderful, relaxing oasis you have created. Also love the Boxer, she looks like our Sasha.
0
catlady15
15 years ago
Steph
Your back yard looks so peaceful and nice.Great job.Its looks like a place in a magazine or something.I know you love it.
0
stephmc72
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks so much everyone! I'll try to answer everyone's questions...

First of all, we cannot take credit for this work. I said "we" renovated our yard but I didn't mean it literally. We had 2 contractors - one that did the hardscape and planting, another that did the waterfall.

So no, the waterfall was not already there. It's brand new and we could not be happier with how it turned out. We wanted it to look natural and I think it very much does. Once the plants around it mature, it will look even better.

cheri, the waterfall is called a pondless waterfall. You can google it and find all sorts of info. Basically there is a reservoir of water underneath the smaller rocks that the water ultimately flows into. There are what they call aquablocks in there (like large crates) that basically keep the rocks from falling into the pond. Then we have 2 pumps that circulate the water. I'm not sure how many gallons...I think a few hundred. I love the look of an actual pond but we didnt want the upkeep or the hazard that they pose with 2 small kids. A pondless waterfall was the perfect solution.

Minnie, I most certainly do not live in a mansion actually. We have 2200sq foot house in a middle class neighborhood with fairly small lots actually. Decent for my town but houses are so close together here. But thanks for the compliment. It just means that our house looks nice and is kept up.

Sue, I'm not sure what the stuff is on our fence. On our back fence behind the waterfall, the neighbors plants took over and have attached to our fence. Its been there long before we even lived in this house. We just keep it manicured so it doesn't look messy and take over. On the other end of the yard, we have grape vines so that helps hide the fence. Everything is very green and pretty right now.

We get pretty much full morning sun so my plants seem to be quite happy.

Thanks again everyone for the compliments...but I think I have to agree with caroline most that the best yard ornaments are Grant, Camryn and Dakota...who are all very much enjoying the yard. Oh, and yes, Dakota drinks from the waterfall. Grant tries to copy her. He thinks hes a dog sometimes. ;-)
0
vicki_lv
15 years ago
Very inviting and relaxing. I wish we could enjoy our backyard this time of year. But it is 109 degrees today. Not much fun out there in that.

Enjoy!
0
bigfoot_liz
15 years ago
very nice!! and that comes from a high end landscape designer who specialized in hardscaping! ties in very well w/ what i remember you did in the front. i like the same sinuous lines you have in both places.

pondless water features actually have very little water. if that total height is under 5' it's probably got less that 20 gal. i have designed & installed some residential pondless features that were over 15' tall and held less than 50 gal. a couple of commercial ones i did were 30' tall w/ 100 gal. they are flanking a condo complex entry way.

you will need to keep a check on the algae or it can become all slime in no time especially if it's in the sun. since you mentioned that dakota drinks from it you can not use bleach for algae. there are products avail for fountains and fish ponds that are non-toxic but work on algae. hopefully they tied the pond into your irrigation w/ an auto-refill so all the water that splashes out doesn't drain away leaving the pump dry. for anyone interested in them they come as kits w/o the rock(even the 30'tall ones) and can be built on a smaller scale by homeowners willing to do the rock work. they do have maintenace to them but i think their real draw is lack of water for homes w/ children. they are far safer than traditional ponds.

your contractors did a beauiful job! and i bet they did take before pics, you should ask. every contractor takes before & after pics for their portfolios, beautiful work helps sell the next jobs :-) congrats that is an environment to show off! ~ liz
0
patti43
15 years ago
It's the perfect yard. You will enjoy it for years. It looks like a beautiful garden for weddings or reunions. We'll all be over to bask in your sunshine tomorrow ;-)
0
helencolby
15 years ago
Just beautiful !! I would love to sit out there too if it were mine. You are giving me some thoughts now. LOL hmmm..

Helen
0
lindyluwho
15 years ago
That looks like something you'd see in a magazine. Just beautiful. Enjoy.

Linda
0
marilyn_c
15 years ago
Wow!!! It's beautiful! So happy for you!
0
paula_pa
15 years ago
It's gorgeous and I wouldn't expect anything less from anything that you had a hand in. That is one of the nicest waterfalls I've seen. The ponds can look nice but they rarely look as completely natural as that.
0

My backyard renovation

Comments (35)

Related Discussions

stephmc72Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

stephmc72
Original Author