Name: Kate & Jeff Location: Baltimore County, Maryland
Type of space: Entryway, Deck & Backyard
How did you do it?: When we bought the house, we knew we had a big project ahead of us when it came to the yard. We wanted to make the backyard suitable for entertaining, but we also wanted our kids to have a fantastic play space. I think we succeeded at both! We tackled the kid's play set first, which was not an easy task (especially when you don't read through all the directions first). After a couple days and one disassembling job, it was finally play-worthy. For the patio, we hired Outdoor Connection, a landscaping company located in Baltimore County. We came to the table with our own ideas and they helped fine tune them. They used gray paver stones, added a sitting wall, and made sure to slope the patio slightly away from the house to allow for proper drainage. Not that long ago, we started on some of the finishing touches. The privacy fence behind the play set was stained to match the play set, and the deck and lattice work were painted gray to blend in with the house and patio. It's really been a work in progress from the start.
What a nice garden - Is your playset from the same folks in the Dakotas who made the one for the Obama girls?
view bepsf's profile
Mmmm, I thought this site was named Apartment Therapy... Did I go to the right site?
view Cyb's profile
Perhaps it's just a very large apartment, as most things are in the 'burbs. ;)
view Alaricus's profile
Regardless...it's a beautiful yard with a great play area for the kids. I love the gardens and the tree stump with the mosaic top is a good idea. It looks like a place that is much enjoyed for entertaining and family time. Thanks for posting!
view junklover's profile
I love it. I have a playset that is very similar. We just have it on sod. Yours looks fantastic. I love your yard. You have worked hard and it shows. I am so visiting The Family Handyman. Enjoy!
I don't understand the apartment versus house complaint. I have seen numerous large homes on this site. Nobody complains when it is a modern mansion in the California mountains, but mention the word "suburbs" and people become very snobby.
view fastkat's profile
what a great play space for your kids! thanks for sharing your project!
view j i's profile
dreaming of the day when i'll have some outdoor space to call my own...
http://pearlsandgreentea.blogspot.com/
view mrslee's profile
I find very little "design" in this entry. It looks like every other suburban tract house yard, except maybe with better furnishings.
view katalyst's profile
Please don't hate me but this is beyond hideous- perhaps not the swing set but the house and the suburban sprawl feel to it- arrgh...
view the_green_earth's profile
Wow. How dare they live in mass produced housing instead of a custom home (or 500 sq. ft. NY apt)! Most of the other houses featured in this series were in suburbs--just older ones that had filled in a bit. Those yards took time to develop.
There's a lot of labor in this yard. They've made decisions to suit their lives now--the lawn and play scape instead of more elaborate landscaping. I bet this yard evolves over the next couple of decades.
view kelleyk's profile
It's beautiful! The walk to your front door is lovely and very inviting. I also have playset envy, but my son isn't even three yet, so I'm going to have to sit here and live vicariously through yours. I particularly love that riot of yellow flowers behind your gorgeous metal bench.
view alittlelately's profile
I can't imagine anyone not thinking this yard is not only inviting and pretty to look at.....but obviously kid friendly.
I would love to have this yard.
view baileyb's profile
Nobody complains when it is a modern mansion in the California mountains, but mention the word "suburbs" and people become very snobby.
Good point, fastkat.
Think of it as a kind of backyard apartment, haters. One with its own curvy slide and swings!
view Blandwagon's profile
Man I want to go down that slide!! Everything looks great Kate!
view Gregorio's profile
Oh yeah, all you haters should stop hatin'! Don't you have better things to do with your time than spread negative vibes??
view Gregorio's profile