Garden Makeover: Blank-Slate Backyard Becomes Best on the Block

Before: A Lawn and Small Patio

When Mark and Wendy Finch and their two young daughters bought a two-story home in a new tract in northwest Portland, Oregon, it came equipped with modern conveniences and a bare backyard, save for a lawn and what landscape designer Micah Dennis laughingly refer to as "an ugly little concrete patio."

Minimal Front Yards

With limited setback and the control of a homeowners association (HOA), residents in the neighborhood focus more on their larger backyards than what's going on in front. Northwest Portland is an area made up of Old-Portland and Craftsman-style houses along with condos and apartment buildings, restaurants, and shops in nearby Nob Hill.

For hikers and outdoorsy types, Forest Park is a 5,200-acre urban escape with trails, lots of trees, and community-minded conservation activities. The architectural style of the Finch's neighborhood is what Dennis dubs "Northwest Craftsman" and likens to a rustic, lodge-style design rather than traditional Craftsman architecture.

The Plan

The Finches contacted Dennis, head of the Portland landscape design firm Paradise Restored to basically create a new, more livable outdoor space.

Among their requests: a covered area, an outdoor kitchen, a place to put a family-size hot tub, a pergola, a fire pit, along with privacy from their neighbors. They wanted it all to come together and be integrated.

Before: Basic Fencing

 "We start the design from inside the house and consider what people will see as they look out of their windows and doors," says Dennis. "We capture those sightlines from inside and try to use them to pull people outside. It's what we call 'eye candy.' Give them some eye candy to go outdoors."

Building the Patio

During construction in February 2017, the weather was typical for that time of year in Portland, meaning days of nonstop rain.

"After we set up all the forms for the patio and cover we had a long waiting game while we looked for a clear day during which the concrete could be poured," explains Dennis. The patio area is large: 1,200 square feet of concrete.

Pushing Mud

A section of the existing cedar fence was removed to allow easy access for large equipment, supplies, and materials. Endless rain created mud that was a challenge for the designers and workers.

Focal Point

For the Finch project, the eye candy or focal point is the outdoor kitchen and bar, which is right outside the back door.

Working with the designers, Mark and Wendy Finch elected to go with a lean-to structure which was attached to the back of the house. In the back of the grill and outdoor kitchen is an impressive wall of stonework.

Outdoor Kitchen

The fully equipped kitchen includes the grill, an unusual hood, sink, drawers, doors, granite countertops and a bar—forming an L-shape unit with the kitchen.

All the Details

The Finch kitchen includes a storage nook for firewood to make pizzas or to use for the nearby fire pit. 

Granite Bar

Friends or family who sit at the bar can cheer on the chef in the outdoor kitchen, enjoy drinks and appetizers, or help with prep.

The Kitchen and Bar

When planning an outdoor kitchen, it's smart to choose a grill first—that way you'll know its size and can plan the counters to accommodate it.

The standard size for a counter is 36 inches high and about 30 inches deep.

Many Dining Options

Instead of a large, formal outdoor dining table, the Finch project offers many places for family and guests to sit and eat.

Since dining outside is supposed to be casual anyway, some may choose to sit at the small table, while others might stay at the bar, kick back in the outdoor living room, or wander to nearby lounge chairs or the fire pit area.

Covered Structure

Dennis considers the tongue-and-groove patio roof to be the other sightline or focal point of the project.

"It grabs people," he says. "It's like an extension of the interior and the wood finish is beautiful."  The structure covers the outdoor kitchen, bar, seating area, and most of the patio.

Corner Bar

The edge of the countertop/bar shows a view of nearby lounge chairs, new fencing, and arborvitae.

Hot Tub Corner

The Finch family bought a hot tub—it was Paradise Restored's challenge to incorporate it into the patio design and add privacy.

Hot Tub and Pergola

On that same patio slab is the family hot tub, with a pergola that adds architectural interest and also acts as a privacy fence.

Since the houses are close together, it's a challenge for homeowners to block the view into their yard from their neighbors' second-story windows. Interestingly, one of the stipulations of the HOA is that homeowners' views can't be blocked. This mostly pertains to types of plants, such as those that grow too tall or wide.

View From the Seating Area

The height of the hot tub is just below the window, which makes for a cleaner design and does not block the view from inside. String lights on the pergola add a sense of fun in the evening hours.

Pergola

The wood pergola blends well with the tongue-and-groove structure on the patio; nothing looks "added on", as is sometimes the case with older homes.

No Peeking!

The horizontal wood-slat pergola and fence are pleasing to look at from any vantage point. Even a piece of equipment gets an elegant custom house.

Sophisticated Side Yard

A few feet from the pergola and small wood shelter is a redesigned side yard. Paradise Restored added horizontal fencing at the entrance and exit points of the side yard for continuity and an upgrade.

This particular side yard is very narrow, which would discourage anyone who tends to store lumber, old patio furniture, and clutter in these spaces.

Lounge Area

To the left of the bar is a circular paved area for backyard lounging, complete with a red umbrella. This offers a view of the fire pit for those who like the look of fire but don't want to gather 'round the circle (or are fine where they are).

View From the Lawn

While a lawn existed to begin with, it and the tiny concrete slab patio were dug up to design the Finch family's new yard with its many zones.

The Fire Pit Zone

Accessible via basalt pavers on the lawn, a custom-designed fire pit is simple, round, and perfect for huddling together on chilly evenings or for roasting marshmallows.

In addition to the wood Adirondack chairs, a wall allows more friends to gather near the fire. The wall is also used for a raised planting bed. Plants added to the new landscape include star jasmine, rhododendron, hostas, ornamental grasses, and sarcococca.

Pit Stop

 Materials used in the fire pit area include hearthstone, flagstone, and cultured stone.

Corner of Yard

To the left of the fire pit is the cedar fencing that came with the two-year-old house. Some of the arborvitaes have already started to grow past the fence height.

Pathway

Looking from the fire pit region, pavers lead to the lounge chairs, kitchen, and the rest of the patio. 

Horizontal Fence

To upgrade existing cedar fencing, Dennis added panels or sections of horizontal-slat cedar fencing which is stronger and more attractive.

Low Wall

A low wall along the perimeter of the yard helps reinforce landscaping and also provides additional seating for parties. 

A Final Look

From dull to spectacular, the multi-zone yard is cohesive and well designed.

"We tried to make everything work as far as being easy to move among spaces seamlessly," says Dennis. "And I think we did it."