Ground Breakers

Outdoor Living Room

Episode GRB-208

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Homeowners Celine and Wade have lived in their home for nine years. They have limited space in their back yard and want to use as much of it as they can while maintaining naturalistic beauty. Their young children need a place to play; the parents need space to entertain. Landscape designer Shirley Cole has a plan to meet their needs. Workers build an outdoor fireplace into an existing stone wall, creating a weathered, aged feel to the new structure. The hill behind the stone wall looks bland, and Cole's plan incorporates new plantings that will make the space more open and interesting. The two existing patios are reduced to provide more grassy space for the children to play. A small stone patio is added around the fireplace for a sitting area.