Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association award winning badge

2019 MNLA Landscape Award Winner

Bringing Character to a dull backyard

"It's boring, ugly, and has no character," our clients (who love to entertain) complained. They wanted a stylish backyard – with multiple outdoor living spaces for relaxing and activities. Working through uncooperative weather and into December, our designer and installation crews went the extra mile (or ten) to create this suburban luxury landscape.

Backyard Landscape Wish List

  • Multiple patio spaces
  • See-through gas fireplace
  • Large flat-screen TV and surround sound
  • Outdoor kitchen and dining area
  • Rehabbed pool deck

Before: "Boring" backyard with cracked concrete

After: Luxury backyard living space with tons of character

Move the slider to see this backyard before & after

With the pool on one side of the yard and the basketball court on the other, family, friends, and guests have multiple outdoor living spaces to enjoy: the smaller seating area near the house with a pergola overhead, the outdoor living room with fireplace and TV, the fire pit patio that overlooks the lake, or the smaller patio on the other side of the fireplace.

resort backyard with swimming pool

Pool deck makeover

After the concrete pool deck was removed, Belgard Charleston cut-and-patterned pavers were laid from the pool area to the basketball court. The fire pit patio and the area under the larger pergola were paved with distinguished Bluestone.

outdoor living room with pergola

Luxury outdoor living room & kitchen

The outdoor living room has a bar top on either side and a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen. The patio is slightly elevated and features a statement fireplace and outdoor TV.

detail of white bear lake outdoor kitchen

The spacious outdoor kitchen has plenty of storage drawers plus outlets for additional appliances. The grill is connected directly to a gas line (no tanks!). An extra special detail: there are two refrigerators, one on each side of the bar.

outdoor living room with bluestone patio

A cedar pergola shelters the outdoor living room, which is packed with luxurious amenities like surround sound speakers and a ceiling fan. There are additional outdoor power outlets in the columns for plugging in appliances or charging mobile devices.

fire circle and sitting patio nook

Cozy up to the fire

Parties and gatherings tend to be large, so the homeowners added a second fire feature with a surrounding seat wall. The bluestone patio has a bowl-style fire table with an optional glass top, so it can double as a table.

Another Inspiring Project

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