Home & Design

Reclaimed timber beams and rafters set the tone for a rustic-style shelter by McHale Landscape Design. Containing zones for grilling and lounging, the structure features a pergola, travertine pavers and a ledgestone fireplace trimmed with Pennsylvania flagstone.

Walnut Hill Landscape Company relied on a mix of hardscape materials for a patio overlooking Harness Creek in Annapolis. A full-color, natural-cleft flagstone floor is framed by seat walls in a natural-stone veneer, capped by thermal flagstone. A sculptural, natural-gas fire feature creates a centerpiece. PHOTO: David Burroughs

An expansive Warrenton, Virginia, landscape conceived by Colao & Peter features a rehabbed porch that overlooks a rolling lawn, a manicured garden and a woodburning fire pit that takes full advantage of the sweeping view. A gravel surface and shallow, LED-lit steps delineate the gathering spot, pictured at twilight. PHOTO: Jimi Smith Photography

All-Weather Escapes

Local landscape pros devise outdoor living areas to suit every season
Describe rules of thumb for designing a fire pit.

While traditional fireplaces are more intimate, designed for two to four, fire pits are great for entertaining parties of five to 10. A fire pit is typically a destination feature; it should be located away from other main project elements in a spot you’d naturally gravitate to—secluded but connected to the rest of the space.

Fuel source comes down to client preference and intended use. A woodburning fire feature will have a natural feel and authentic smell. A gas fire pit is more convenient, starting with the push of a button. Gas is more costly but adds a sleek, modern element.

—J.R. Peter, PLA, ASLA, Colao & Peter


Share the pros and cons of natural versus engineered hardscape materials.

Natural stone surfaces such as flagstone, limestone and travertine require less maintenance and cleaning than their engineered counterparts. Natural stone holds its color and integrity, while manmade products tend to fade over time. Flagstone is hot underfoot compared to travertine, limestone and pavers. Flagstone, limestone and brick will impart a traditional look while travertine and pavers look more contemporary. Flagstone and limestone are my go-to hardscape materials as they are timeless.

—Michael Prokopchak, ASLA, Walnut Hill Landscape Company


What factors are most important when creating an outdoor escape?

The best outdoor living spaces consider guest experience, connection, circulation and layout. An outdoor room adjoining the house should tie into its materials and aesthetic. Exposed wood beams, metal, glass and stone will provide a connection to nature, while planters, climbing vines and patio-scale plantings will maintain a connection to the architecture.

A shelter away from the house becomes an outdoor destination. It should be a hub for entertaining with features like an outdoor kitchen, fire element, fans and heaters. Pergolas and cloth shades shield the sun while a roofed structure, screens and glass panels provide three-season enjoyment.

—Matt Rhoderick, RLA, McHale Landscape Design


Shed light on selecting plants that look good after the leaves have fallen.

To get fall and winter interest from plantings, choose trees that will provide color, and shrubbery like boxwood that maintains its structure. Leave the browned-out blooms of flowering perennials such as hydrangea and astilbe intact. Caryx, small grasses and mazus between flagstone joints will remain all winter.

Permanent design elements also lend interest—a bench, sculpture or birdhouse, for instance; outdoor art should be illuminated, particularly in winter when the days are short.

—Jeff Crandell, Scapes


Share tips on choosing and installing the right hot tub.

There was a time when many hot tubs were built into the pool scape with shared plumbing. This meant heating the pool as well as the hot tub in winter when you might only want to use the hot tub. I recommend separate systems to avoid heating both.

A freestanding hot tub should be built into a wall or recessed in a deck for visual appeal. If I’m integrating it with the pool, I’ll clad the spa wall in stone veneer with a real stone cap or coping to match the pool’s design and create a cohesive look.

—Jennifer Connoley, Jennifer Connoley Landscape Design


Discuss the ins and outs of heating an indoor-outdoor space.

A ceiling structure provides the opportunity to heat from overhead while a wall allows heat from a vertical plane. Directional (radiant) heat is the best option; it warms objects rather than the air and can feel similar to how the sun warms our skin. When positioning heat output, consider the purpose of a space, its furniture layout and proximity to occupants. Radiant heat goes a long way in a space where a wall or plantings are in place to obstruct winter breezes.

Gas fire features are pleasant but do not heat efficiently as you move away from the source.

—Brian Hjemvik, PLA, ASLA, Kimmel Studio Architects


How do you design a lighting plan with all-season impact in mind?

We think of a lighting plan holistically. Start simple; it’s easy to add more lighting as needed. We recommend creating zones so different areas can be controlled independently. A well-designed lighting plan is dynamic and will interact with the changing seasons. For example, uplighting a multi-stem tree may produce a soft, glowing canopy in summer while in winter, it will highlight the tree’s intricate branch structure and cast interesting shadows on nearby evergreens.

—Kevin Gaughan, RLA, ASLA, Form Garden Design

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