St. George
This backyard makeover in St. George was designed as a full “destination” space—built around a large natural swim pond, big entertaining zones, and a strong connection between the house, deck, and water.
The centerpiece is a natural swimming pond with an integrated stream and waterfall plus an upper wetland zone. The swim area was designed with a dedicated liner swimming section, timber walls separating swim and planting areas, and a jumping dock for the fun factor. A timber stair entry with granite flagstone treads makes getting in and out feel natural and comfortable.
Above the kitchen zone, a major deck and pergola structure creates shade and a true outdoor living room, finished in low-maintenance PVC decking with a mix of aluminum picket railing and glass where views mattered. A rain-guard system under the deck keeps the outdoor kitchen area more usable during wet weather.
Entertaining was built in throughout: a large paver patio supported by armour stone retaining, a dedicated fire pit area, landscape lighting across key routes and features, and perimeter fencing for safety and privacy. The outdoor kitchen and fireplace were designed as a matched pair—stone veneer, natural stone counters, and built-in appliances—creating a backyard setup that works as well for weeknights as it does for hosting.
Before the Landscape Transformation
Before the transformation, the backyard felt disconnected and underused, with a simple lawn, an above-ground pool, aging deck structures, and no clear outdoor destination for gathering or entertaining. The property had privacy and strong natural surroundings, but it lacked definition, flow, and the kind of built spaces needed to connect the house to the yard in a meaningful way.
During Construction
During construction, the backyard began to take shape as a true destination space. The natural swim pond was excavated, lined, and framed with timber walls to define the swimming and planting zones, while stair aagoccess, patio areas, and structural edges were carefully built in around it. At the same time, the larger entertaining spaces started to come together, including the paver patio, retaining elements, and the early construction of the outdoor kitchen and fireplace features.
After Completion
The finished backyard transforms the property into a complete outdoor destination centered around a natural swim pond and a series of generous entertaining spaces. The pond, stream, planting zones, and jumping dock create a setting that feels immersive and natural, while the paver patios, outdoor kitchen, fireplace, and covered areas make the space highly functional for everyday use and hosting. Together, the lighting, stonework, water, and layered planting give the backyard a warm, resort-like feel that stays connected to the house at every level.
