by Gardens of Babylon | Sep 25, 2024
Retaining walls play a crucial role in both the functionality and beauty of your landscape, especially in areas with challenging topography. Whether you’re dealing with a steep slope, preventing soil erosion, or looking to create more usable space, a well-designed retaining wall can transform your outdoor area into a stable and visually appealing environment.
Why Are Retaining Walls Important?
Retaining walls are essential for managing both the stability and aesthetics of landscapes, especially in regions like Middle Tennessee where the topography and climate can pose unique challenges. One of the primary benefits of retaining walls is their ability to prevent soil erosion. In areas prone to heavy rainfall, the risk of soil movement and erosion increases significantly. Retaining walls act as a barrier, holding soil in place and maintaining the structural integrity of your yard. This is particularly crucial for properties on sloped terrain, where uncontrolled soil movement can lead to landscape damage and even threaten the stability of nearby structures.
Beyond their functional role in erosion control, retaining walls also provide an opportunity to create more usable space in your yard. By transforming sloped or uneven areas into flat, stable surfaces, they open up possibilities for new garden beds, patios, or recreational areas that would otherwise be unusable. This can greatly enhance the functionality and enjoyment of your outdoor space.
Additionally, retaining walls contribute to the aesthetic appeal of your landscape. Available in a variety of materials such as natural stone, brick, and concrete, they can be customized to match the style of your home and garden. Integrating features like planters, seating, or water elements can turn a basic retaining wall into a focal point that elevates the overall design of your property. With the right design and materials, retaining walls can blend seamlessly with your landscape while providing essential structural support.
Commonly Asked Questions About Retaining Walls
What materials are best for retaining walls?
Common choices include concrete blocks, poured concrete, treated timber, and natural stone. Each material offers unique benefits depending on the look you want to achieve and the structural needs of your property. Our team can help you select the best option to suit your landscape and budget.
Can I DIY a retaining wall?
While small walls may be manageable as a DIY project, larger or more complex walls should be left to professionals to ensure safety and structural integrity. Mistakes in design or construction can lead to costly repairs down the line.
How do I choose the right type of retaining wall?
The best choice depends on your soil type, slope, wall height, and desired aesthetics. Consulting with a professional ensures you get a wall that meets your specific needs and stands the test of time.
Why Choose Gardens of Babylon for Your Retaining Wall Project?
At Gardens of Babylon, we understand the unique landscape challenges of Middle Tennessee. Our team of experts is well-versed in designing and constructing retaining walls that not only serve their functional purpose but also enhance the beauty of your property. We take into account local soil conditions, climate, and your personal preferences to create a solution that is both effective and aesthetically pleasing.
Whether you need a simple garden wall or a complex multi-level structure, we can help you transform your outdoor space into a stable, beautiful, and usable area. Our commitment to sustainability and collaboration ensures that every project is handled with care, using eco-friendly practices and materials whenever possible.
Ready to Elevate Your Landscape?
Let’s build something beautiful together. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and discover how a custom retaining wall can transform your outdoor space into a functional and beautiful extension of your home.
by Gardens of Babylon | Sep 5, 2024
As the days grow cooler and the nights crisp, you might find yourself thinking about adding a patio to your outdoor space. Whether you have a sprawling lawn or just a small area outside your back door, now is the perfect time to consider creating an outdoor “room” where you can enjoy the beauty of every season.
“A patio can be your personal retreat,” says Eric VanGrinsven, a landscape designer with the Gardens of Babylon design team. Our designers excel at crafting unique patio spaces that seamlessly integrate with your overall landscape design. Today’s patio trends range from cozy, intimate corners to expansive outdoor living rooms and kitchens that are perfect for entertaining.
Surface Matters: The Foundation of Your Patio
The foundation of any great patio starts with the surface. “Many of my clients are looking for patios that are both clean and easy to maintain,” says landscape designer Max Finkbeiner. “Natural stone or clay pavers are popular for their timeless appeal, but we also see a demand for simple, sharp, and elegant concrete options that offer a cost-effective solution.”
Stamped and dyed concrete, often in natural stone patterns or herringbone designs, is another popular choice. It’s easier to clean and maintain, with a lower upfront cost, making it an attractive option for many homeowners.
Flagstone patios continue to be a favorite for those who love a more organic look. “I find that clients are increasingly drawn to natural stone slab patios with gravel joints,” notes landscape designer Ryan Fogarty. “These joints are wider and irregular, offering a permeable surface that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing.”
Warming Trend: Extending Outdoor Use into Cooler Months
As the weather cools, patios designed for year-round use become even more appealing. Many clients want a patio that’s versatile – great for summer barbecues and games, but also perfect for gathering around a fire pit in the cooler months.
The challenges of recent years have made fire pits a must-have feature for outdoor spaces. Fogarty has noticed a significant increase in requests for built-in wood-burning or gas fire pits. “Whether it’s a rustic stone design or a sleek modern setup, fire pits with seating walls create a cozy outdoor environment,” she explains. Gas-fired options offer the convenience of a fire at the flip of a switch, without the hassle of wood.
More recently, flexibility has become key in patio design. “Portable fire pits, like Solo Stoves, are increasingly popular,” Fogarty adds. “Clients appreciate the ability to move the fire pit, allowing their patio to serve multiple functions depending on the season.”
Dining with Friends: Outdoor Kitchens for Every Space
No patio is complete without a space for dining. Even if your patio is small, a simple setup with a grill, table, and chairs can transform your outdoor area into a delightful dining spot. If you have more space and a larger budget, the possibilities are endless. Think outdoor refrigerators, sinks, fireplaces, and even pizza ovens.
For larger outdoor kitchens, our designers emphasize the importance of counter space. You can never have too much counter space and it often becomes the gathering spot for guests. Adding shelter, like a pergola or covered porch, can also enhance your patio’s functionality. “My clients tend to prefer simple, modern pergola designs,” Finkbeiner notes, which offer both shade and style.
Plan Your Patio with Gardens of Babylon
As you plan your perfect patio, remember that it’s more than just an addition to your landscape—it’s an extension of your home. Whether you’re envisioning a small, peaceful retreat or an expansive outdoor entertaining space, our Gardens of Babylon landscape design team is here to help bring your vision to life. Book a consultation with one of our professionals today and start enjoying your outdoor space in every season.
by Gardens of Babylon | Mar 29, 2024
While it might be warming up outside, spring has that tricky habit of still being cold at night. But, that doesn’t mean you have to go inside when the sun goes down and the temperature drops.
Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are some of the best additions to extend your enjoyment of outdoors spaces. Plus, they bring the comfort of your indoor living spaces outside, and add more visual interest to green spaces.
Here are some design ideas to bring the coziness of a fire outside without compromising on style:
Portable Fire Pits
Let’s start with ideas for small spaces. Portable fire pits (also sometimes called outdoor wood stoves) are great for patios and yards of all sizes, but these metal cylinders are optimal for small outdoor spaces. They often come in sizes smaller than a permanent fire pit, and – major bonus – they can be moved!
This is an excellent feature, especially if your patio serves multiple purposes. Portable fire pits can easily be moved into a shed or garage, if you need to make space for other activities or want to store it for winter. Depending on what brand and size you purchase, these can also be taken on trips – think camping, lakeside or even on the beach.
Propane Fire Pits & Tables
If you like the small footprint and movability of a portable fire pit, but don’t like the added task of keeping firewood, a propane fire pit is a great alternative. These come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, including fire pits, tables, bowls and more. You can find them in metal, glass and stone, and the features covering the burners can be anything from charcoal (pictured above) to glass beads, faux wood and nearly whatever else you can think of.
So long as they aren’t hooked up to a built-in/permanent gas line, these can also be moved wherever you want. Plus, since they’re gas burning, you don’t have to worry about cleaning out ash or watching for flying embers.
Permanent Fire Pits
If you have more space, or are looking for a more permanent feature, a stone or brick fire pit could be the way to go. These offer plenty of design options from the material used to the shape they’re laid in. You can use the same or similar brick, stone or concrete used in other parts of your home design (think chimneys, patios, etc.). This ties together your outdoor living space with your home’s other exteriors and/or interior design.
You also don’t need a patio for permanent fire pits. Many people have leveled out spaces in their yards to curate a space that feels more like sitting around the campfire. This can help cut down on costs, keep the fire further from your house, and create a more secluded feel. Grass, wooded areas (but not too close to those trees), and outdoor chairs or logs to sit on create a cozy, more outdoorsy space.
To modernize the fire pit, you can add it to a patio and even add coordinating bench seating, like a previous Gardens of Babylon residential project pictured above. Not only does this save space, it also ensures a beautiful and cohesive design. Plus, it keeps you from having to worry about other outdoor furniture wearing out from exposure to the elements.
Fireplaces
If you’re looking for a real showstopper, an outdoor fireplace can’t be beat. These beautiful, permanent features make for a cohesive and seamless transition from your indoor living space to your outdoor one.
Like other outdoor fire features, these can be constructed from brick, stone, concrete, etc., and come in both wood-burning and gas-burning varieties. However, these also have the added bonus of extra design flexibility. (You could even build an outdoor fireplace plus brick oven – great for homemade pizzas!) Outdoor fireplaces, since they’re larger than other options, have more room for brick treatments like German schmear, stucco and more. They can also pull in various design pieces from a patio and house’s exterior to bring together different elements. You can use tiles or bricks from patio flooring as pops of design in the fireplace structure – much like the tile pictured above peeks out from the edges of the firebox.
Outdoor fireplaces are the real stars of the show and can be used for a variety of design purposes. You can use them to separate one outdoor living space from another. They can corner off a patio, like the one pictured above. Outdoor fireplaces can also function as the finishing touch on a backyard – sitting at the pinnacle of a patio.
However you decide to bring the warmth of the indoors outside, no outdoor living space is complete without a fire feature. Enjoy your outdoor spaces sooner and longer this year by adding one of these essential, functional elements to your patio or backyard.
Do you love one of the designs featured in this post? (All of these are residential projects crafted by our design team at Gardens of Babylon.) If you’re looking for something similar, or need some inspiration or design help, contact us! We’re all about making outdoor spaces functional, beautiful and enjoyable. Come see us at the garden center, or schedule an appointment with one of our designers.
by Gloria Ballard | Mar 5, 2023
Wouldn’t it be nice if, on a cold winter afternoon or a cool early-spring evening, you could gather with friends in your own back yard around a crackling fire? If that sounds like an ideal way to enjoy the outdoors, then a firepit can be your answer.
But what kind of firepit? How big should it be? How will you use it? Where will it fit in your backyard landscape? These are among the questions to consider when you begin to plan for that addition to your landscape design, says Gardens of Babylon landscape designer Mike Omar.
Gas or Wood Firepit?
“The first thing I ask a client is if they prefer a gas or wood-burning firepit, and I would say that 70 percent want gas now,” Omar says, noting that the advantage of gas is the immediate gratification of turning on the fire when you’re ready for it, and turning it off when you’re done with it – no after-fire cleanup involved. A wood-burning firepit requires more set-up time, using starter logs and adding wood as it burns to keep the fire going.
A custom designed gas firepit requires extra considerations, of course. The gas company taps into the home’s gas line to connect to a fireplace insert; the landscape building crew then builds a block or other veneer around the insert. “That, plus other considerations – if the insert uses lava rock or broken glass for the base of the fire, for example – that will drive how we want to design a firepit,” Omar says.
It’s important to consider how much time you plan to spend around the fire, as well, and at what temperature. A gas firepit will produce a cozy fire on a cool evening, but it won’t produce nearly as much heat as a woodburning firepit. “A gas firepit will be minimally warm, but if we get down to 18 degrees, a gas fire is not going to put out enough heat to stay cozy and warm for long.”
And if you’re planning to use the firepit for an occasional cookout, keep in mind that you can’t cook on a gas firepit, but you can cook over a wood fire, Omar says.
Consider Your Style
The style of a firepit or fireplace reflects your personality – in other words, the choices are endless! Round, square or rectangular, stone, brick or steel are all design and material options for this landscape feature.
“You will want it to be architecturally cohesive with the house or outdoor living space,” Omar believes. “The shape is an individual design decision.” In general, a square firepit is more in tune with a contemporary or modern design, he says. “In a more traditional design, it’s usually round, which has a little more movement to it.”
A custom, built-from-scratch stone firepit starts with a concrete base. “We go on the outside with cinder block, and veneer outside that is either brick or stone, with a cap on top of that. Inside is all fire brick,” Omar says.
Is Bigger Better?
The size of a firepit can be determined by the space available in your landscape and the crowd you expect to gather around it. A smaller option would most likely be a pit that’s 30 inches across, which would keep four or five people seated around it comfortably warm. A 48-inch firepit, which can accommodate a circle of eight to ten people, lends itself to entertaining larger crowds. Omar says.
You will also want to map out the seating around the fire. A designer can incorporate a seat wall three to four feet away from the firepit, leaving space for Adirondack chairs or other seating options. “Generally speaking, you need at least a four-foot radius around the whole firepit for seating,” Omar says. “With the firepit, by the time you add the seating around it, you generally need about 120 square feet of space.”
Size may also dictate placement in the landscape. The firepit can be part of the hardscape in a patio design, or farther away from the house. “It can be cool and natural out in the yard, maybe on a crushed stone base, with seating boulders,” for example. “You can create that space in a lot of different ways.”
To discuss ways to include a firepit or fireplace in your landscape design plans, book a consultation with a Gardens of Babylon landscape design team professional here.
