A photo of the finished patio, as viewed from the stairs. You can see the lights along the wall and throughout the landscape, as well as the curved line of the turf and completed firepit.

A before photo of the original side walkway. Man-made blocks and steps were placed into a sloping lawn, with basic plantings on either side, creating a cluttered, narrow, and worn-down feeling.

A look at the redesigned side walkway. We created tiered gardens using UP Ledgestone, planted with a simple palette of garden classics. Mesabi granite flagstone and steps turn the slope into an easy walk. We used all natural materials for this space to ensure longevity and specifically chose plants that will require minimal maintenance.

A before picture of the backyard and upper porch. Sod was a maintenance hassle, and worn down pavers gave this landscape a tired look.

An in-progress photo of the site with the previous plantings cleared out and the shoreline moved towards the lake. Helical piers have been driven down below the frost line to support the lakeside wall. The new expanded decks have been shaped, the columns placed, and the stairs are taking shape.

A photo of the finished patio and lakeside wall. The lighting along the wall, and throughout the rest of the landscape, was planned from the beginning. The custom gate seen here was originally recessed into one side of the wall on a track. However, once the gate was installed, sand began to collect in the track, preventing it from rolling smoothly. We removed the gate and refitted it ourselves, creating a swinging gate with a lower locking system for ease of function.

A view under the deck, looking over the spa towards the combined fire-and-water feature. An access door was built at the back of the spa enclosure using stained cedar planks to match the color of the teak ceiling. However, when we were told that the spa had four access doors, we had to build a way to access the other three sides. Our solution was an ATV lift, which is nestled underneath the spa and can lift the emptied spa fully out of the enclosure should any problems arise. The fire-and-water feature was added to the design after the wall was built. Some empty conduits in the wall left enough space to run the three water feature elements. The lower two were built out to give the wall more dimension and interest.

An in-progress photo of the stairs being built. Helical piers were driven as supports, with a cement footing poured overtop. CMU blocks and poured concrete created the shape of the staircase. Finally, Mesabi black granite steps were installed on a bed of mortar.

A photo of the finished staircase with turf installed. A fire bowl is lit on one side, and plantings on the other add dimension. The turf and plantings soften the rough edges of the UP Ledgestone, while a Mesabi black granite flagstone path winds back to the patio space. The wire railings were specifically chosen to obstruct the view as little as possible.

An in-progress photo overlooking the patio. The lakeside wall is partway through construction. The electrical components for the lights can be seen on top of the wall, and some stonework has been done on the sides. Gravel makes a permeable base for the turf, allowing rain to filter back into the groundwater supply. The curved line is broken up by a partial circle, which is where the firepit will be built.

An in-progress photo of the deck being built. Helical piers were driven to support the columns, and CMU blocks were used halfway up for added strength. In addition, treated 8x8 posts were installed to support the deck structure. LVL joists were used for the deck structure instead of traditional 2x10s, and in this photo, you can see a layer of the silca gridding on top of the deck.

An in-progress photo of the Mesabi black granite flagstone going on top of the deck. Below the granite, you can see the drainfield fabric, which is placed over the silca grid system, treated 2x4 supports, rubber protective membrane, treated plywood, and LVL joists.

A photo of the view from inside the house, looking through the bifold doors, over the completed deck. Glass railings ensure an unobstructed view to the lake at any angle.

A view of the deck looking into the home. The teak ceiling was built to match the one above the spa, located directly below. Low-voltage LED lighting and infrared heat, as well as outdoor audio, are built into the teak ceiling. A line in the ceiling shows where the TV disappears when not in use.

A photo of the landscape, mid-construction. To the left of the image is the small access space we had to bring in materials and equipment—one of the many challenges was the lack of easy access, exacerbated by the fact that we were working within city limits on a narrow and densely-populated road. We replaced all of the shingles on the home, since we had to change the roofline to accommodate the larger deck. We also removed and replaced all of the siding on this side of the home when we discovered some severe water damage.

A photo of the finished project, viewed from the lake. The lights along the wall dance on the water, creating a stunning sight from afar. The wall, raised from its original height of 18” to a full 36”, blends into the house, while the Mesabi black granite veneer on the outer edge of the upper deck and the black columns create a dramatic contrast to the cream-colored vinyl and neutral UP Ledgestone.

Design of the overall landscape.