Two New Outdoor Rooms Replace a Seldom Used Hot Tub Patio
Often homeowners come to our designers here at Gasper Landscape Design and Construction with older landscape projects, which have either not aged well with materials that are failing and need repair or have elements that no longer work for their lifestyles. In the case of this featured project, both cases where true: there was an old hot tub that was no longer used and the decorative block retaining walls surrounding the hot tub were failing. It gave Gasper landscape designer, Nick Lupinacci the perfect opportunity to rework the space to accommodate how the homeowners wanted to use the space in the here and now.
The first thing Nick did was to address the significant grade change that occurred from the front to the back of the house with a series of seat wall height retaining walls on either side of the new raised patio. By limiting the height of the walls, they not only become more usable because they can be used to provide more seating options in the space, but they also eliminate the need for safety railings that walls over 30” high are required by code.
The pergola over the raised patio creates the sense of an outdoor room for the large dining table. This pergola has a white vinyl top that makes its maintenance reduced since there is no need for any painting and the roof structure will not deteriorate in the weather. Pergolas provide light shade and make a great destination in any garden.
Next to the raised dining patio, Nick took advantage of the change in elevation to create a very natural-looking pondless waterfall. Pondless waterfalls are a great option for homeowners who want the soothing sound of running water, but do not want the maintenance of a full pond. The water simply flows down the waterfall and disappears into an underground basin in the rocks at the bottom of the fall. Then the water is simply recirculated. The color and texture of the natural stone boulders used to create the waterfall, completely compliment the wall stone color palette.
Opposite the pergola covered dining patio, a stone masonry fireplace anchors another circular, dry laid bluestone patio. The fireplace features a bluestone mantle that is the perfect spot for a seasonal wreath or other decorative garden accessories and elegantly tapers in shape to the chimney. This patio with its deep comfortable seating and warm glow of a fire can complete with any interior living room. Have an underutilized outdoor space of your own? Contact Gasper Landscape Design & Construction today.