Usually, landscape projects cost enough on their own that there's no need to add unnecessaries which make them cost more, but add no particular advantage. A while later when those Emerald Greens (or any number of other plants) are completely screening the neighboring houses, one would wonder why was extra $ spent on raising the grade. And that's the question I pose now, why must the grade be raised? Plant material alone is perfectly capable of getting to the height that would screen the undesirable views. The large expense of raising the grade CREATES problems and saves only a year or two of waiting for plants to get taller. You have a basically normal looking back yard. The pitch is nothing out of the ordinary. Planting alone can accomplish all the screening that's needed. And a garden is no problem. Usually, they're not raised. They're just plots on flat or gently sloping ground. I do not understand why you think the grade must be raised or that doing so provides some great advantage. The way I see it, it adds unnecessary cost and complications you'd be better off without.

Visit the blog www.livinginyellow.com. She is a fashion blogger and has a great in-ground pool area that is decorated with practical, comfortable and cute furnishings! I promise if you search through her photos, you'll get some inspiration ideas. She's also pretty good about posting where she buys from!

Ok, I will try to answer your questions and have added new photos. We would like separate areas as we do not have much room right behind the house with the septic bed and tank area. The only area where we would be able to have a decent sized area would be behind the garage. We thought about having bar area here with outdoor seating/ lounge area. We would like a covered structure in this area. Dining area we would like closer to house maybe between where the stairs and the covered structure would be. We are not fans of being up high on a deck and would prefer patio but not sure how to transition from patio doors down to ground level. Another available space is to the right of stairs. Thanks Cathy

yogi_mi5a The flagstone patio was made from flagstone my husband had thrown behind the shed when he replaced a front walkway years ago with pavers. He gave away a bunch of it and we had some left over (probably not the nicest pieces which had been picked thru when he gave it away- but thankfully there was enough to do a flagstone patio and some flagstone stairs for a small hill. I like to reuse whenever I can!