Thursday, April 13, 2017

Bring your Backyard to Life with Ponds and Waterfalls!


The experience of being near a waterfall is pure magic. At once majestic and tranquil, nature’s waterfalls draw visitors from all over the world.

But what if you could capture that magical moment in your own backyard and experience it everyday? Adding a water feature to your outdoor living space is easier than you think and has lots of hidden benefits:



The sound of serenity. Calm waters are soothing to hear. Whether you’re enjoying a cup of morning coffee from your porch swing or dining outside on the patio, listening to the sounds of your waterfall or pond will bring tranquility to your moment.. Water features also make perfect, private spots for meditation and reflection.

Give your backyard a new life. Just as people are drawn to water features, so are birds and other wildlife. When you add a waterfall or pond to your outdoor living space, we suggest purchasing a local bird guide to keep handy, too. You’ll be identifying birds by sight and sound in no time!



A natural focal point. When you transform your backyard into an outdoor living space, you introduce a lot of man-made materials. Adding a water feature breaks up the area, giving the eye a place to rest and creating a natural home for landscaped plant material.



Totally customizable. Waterfalls and ponds can work in any size space, with as little or as much sound as you want. And they can be very low-maintenance! If a skilled, experienced crew handles the design and installation, you can expect to average five minutes of maintenance a week. And options abound: choose from pondless waterfalls, water gardens, koi ponds, and more.




Want a water feature to take your backyard from ordinary to extraordinary? Contact our Pittsburgh Stone and Waterscapes, LLC team today to get started!

www.pghsw.com

Friday, April 7, 2017

Transform your Backyard into a True Living Space

What are your best memories at home? The family get-togethers that stretch into evening because everyone is having so much fun? Sharing drinks and laughing with friends around a cozy outdoor fireplace?

Whether you prefer impromptu backyard picnics or impeccably planned parties—or a bit of both!—you need a backyard retreat where you can do it all: grill and cook, host and entertain, relax and play.

But do you have the right space to turn this backyard dream into reality? Here are three tips to help you decide.

Expect to use 750-1000 square feet. This allows room for a dining table, sitting area, and outdoor kitchen or grill area. If you plan to incorporate a fire pit or fireplace with seating (you won’t regret it—our clients love this feature!), you’ll want to be closer to 1000 square feet.


 
Don’t worry about hillsides. If you have a hillside in your backyard, consider it an opportunity rather than an obstacle. A hillside can be the ideal place to incorporate knee walls, waterfalls, and other features. By building into the hillside, you create a clean transition space and utilize an otherwise unusable piece of land.


 
Factor in your floor plan. Your first step is identifying exactly what you want from your space. What will you do there? What kind of furniture will you incorporate? We recommend scouting local outdoor furniture stores for ideas and inspiration. With your input, we create 3D furniture layouts to scale. These allow us to map possibilities that meet your needs and best suit your space.




Ready to transform your backyard? Our team at Pittsburgh Stone and Waterscapes, LLC is—contact us now to get started!

www.pghsw.com