Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association award winning badge

2019 MNLA Landscape Award Winner

Empty nesters dream of a relaxing backyard renovation

After renovating the home’s interior, attention turned to the lack of outdoor living spaces. Empty nesters in the process of moving back to Minnesota from California, these homeowners envisioned a tranquil and relaxing backyard with a walk-out patio with wood burning fireplace. Upstairs, they wished for a private dining patio close to their kitchen.

Before: Staircase to nowhere

After: A tranquil path to an outdoor living room

Move the slider to reveal this backyard before and after

Before this area of the lawn was mostly damp and totally unusable. Now an elegant limestone staircase leads to an outdoor living room, complete with a statement fireplace.

backyard staircase design with limestone treads

Elegant staircase descends to an outdoor living room

The hostas were replaced by hydrangeas and astilbe, which gives the garden a northwoods look and feel. Oversized limestone treads lead to the luxury backyard patio.

outdoor living room in Orono, MN with limestone flagstone patio and Laurel Stone inlay

This luxury patio is where nature meets culture. The contrasting paver styles create a focused seating area around the fire. The curving edge of the garden and flagstone pavers represent nature, while the large format Laurel Stone inlay and statement fireplace represent formal elegance.

wood-burning backyard fireplace landscaping in Orono Minnesota

Statement fireplace centerpiece

The symmetry and scale of the statement fireplace creates a sense of grandeur and elevates even the most casual get together.

Backyard dining patio landscape in Orono MN

Upstairs dining and coffee patios

Odd shaped and cramped, the existing coffee patio didn't have enough room for much more than coffee and a bagel. So, Southview created the dining patio on the upper level, overlooking the lower level fireplace and with easy access to the kitchen.

Another Inspiring Project

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