Supply chain delays are a dreaded part of our post-2020 world that continue to impact us today and while we try to finish projects as quickly as possible, sometimes the situation is out of our control. That was the case for this Yorktown home, but our main focus was to make the backyard one worth waiting for...and thankfully we were able to deliver!

We started out with nothing but a hole in the yard, and now we have a complete backyard ecosystem nestled away in the Running Man neighborhood of Yorktown. It's incredible what is tucked away back here, and we want to walk you through the whole space.

It all begins with a rain barrel, where water falls into an Aquascape skimmer box then enters a rain garden filled with perennials that will soon become a spot of beauty when the plants begin to bloom. Any excess water overflows into a dry well and eventually drains out to the street in case of excess water. And that's just the beginning...

We stepped into this Yorktown home with a backyard where we've already built a few extras, including a pergola, columns, and pavers. However, along with the good there was the not-so-good, including an old deck that had to be torn out and replaced with something much better. The deck fell apart when the grading itself fell back towards the house, causing water issues and damage beyond repair. Luckily, we got the call and stepped out to get it fixed and looking good again!

A few years ago, we had the pleasure of installing a patio in this backyard in the Running Man neighborhood of Yorktown, and we were thrilled to come back to add some beauty and excitement to their outdoor space. Being environmentally conscious is important to these homeowners, and they wanted our new installation to line up with their values that were already reflected in their backyard setup.

So how did we make sure their new water feature and pond was environmentally friendly? Keep reading to find out!
Pond has a few unique features: downspout that will constantly replenish the pond. Excess water will flow into a rain garden to re-use all of our natural resources.

The pool in this Yorktown home started out as a mess - between rain, mud, and all the elements, there was a lot of cleanup to do! Luckily we got to work with River Pools for this project. They laid down some 57 gravel to mitigate the mud, making sure there was a sump pump and plenty of drainage to prevent any future issues with excess water beside or underneath the pool.

At that point we stepped in to add some curves and lines to the space along with a simple pool deck and patio. Since there is a koi pond already in their backyard, we extended the pavers from the pool right to the edge of the pond for a continuous backyard flow.

Watch the video and scroll through the pictures to see this messy transformation!

Sometimes our projects involve a lot of installation, and sometimes we're connecting the dots with what is already in the backyard. This fun job in Yorktown is the latter! We always love working with a good River Pools installation, and this one is no exception. The backyard pool features 57 gravel and creates the perfect setup for what we're going to add.

Believe it or not, the apron is the most critical part of a driveway. It absorbs the shock from cars that drive in and out, stop and wait, and bump off the curb. Because of this, it also needs to be the sturdiest part of the structure, so we pay extra attention to making it perfect and long-lasting. We talked about this and more in Part 1, so jump over and watch it if you haven't already!

After solving the driveway issues, we knew we need to add a little something more...

We're building a 3,500 square foot paver driveway! It's a tall order, especially in Yorktown, which often features groundwater issues among a host of other things. We had to approach this one knowing we could find a solution, even if we weren't sure exactly what it would be at first.

To solve the groundwater problem we decided to utilize geogrid, a material that can be used to reinforce soil and other materials like it. We used open grade construction with a combination of woven fabric, different sizes of round gravel, geogrid, and pavers laid on top for a solid base. Along the way we had to remove an aggregate walkway and add a condensation line with plenty of drainage.

But we couldn't stop there, because we knew this driveway needed a little flair...

We wanted to create a backyard paradise at this home in Yorktown, but with 1200 square feet of pavers, we had a lot to do - and a lot to work with! The first step was to add some additional privacy with a fence and landscaping that includes green giant arbor trees to create a little separation from the neighbors.

The main event is the River Pools swimming pool, where we added some curves, colors, and textures to make the space pop. Since kids will be visiting this backyard a lot, we added a water wall both for beauty and to create a 'natural' diving board - we can promise it will be used over and over again! On the side for the adults is a hot tub surrounded by a stone wall, so the grown ups can relax while the kids play.

And believe it or not, this is only phase 1...

This backyard design in Yorktown is going to feature almost everything: columns, walls, outdoor lights, and a fire pit, all in about a 450 sq foot space. The key with smaller spaces like these is making sure that the elements are both cohesive and unique, so we set about making that happen within the constraints we had.

One day we did this was by laying the pavers at different angles to highlight the fire pit, which you can see below in the video and slideshow. We added a few other touches as well...

The playground at Peninsula Community Chapel in Yorktown is the place to be on Sundays before and after services for kids of all ages. But as much as the parents loved chatting while seeing their kids have a blast, there were a few roadblocks that kept this space from being truly enjoyable. One of the major issues was the traffic flow problem it created when everyone stood in the sidewalk while the rest of the congregation filtered out through the lawn and to the parking lot.

We set out to solve this issue and added a lot more to the space, too...

You can't beat a view like one right on the water in Seaford (a little town near Poquoson, Virginia)! While the second-story deck was already in place, we wanted to create a special oasis on the ground floor for an extra flair and a shaded view of this little York River inlet.

One of our problems: how do you add to the perfect water view with a boat dock? Well, it's a problem we love solving...

When these homeowners decided to put in a pool, they weren't messing around...and we were happy to provide them with so much more. While the centerpiece is, of course, River Pools' swimming pool I-series, there are about a dozen additions that will complete this backyard oasis in a tucked-away corner of Yorktown. So what are we going to install?

We're thrilled to walk you through this three-phase project in Yorktown, Virginia. We've finished the first phase and have big plans for what's coming!

Phase 1 included a pool, waterfall, and some landscaping so while the pavilion is being constructed, the homeowners can still enjoy the summer in peace. We finished the water feature, created a walkway, and even installed an easy-access trash pad for practical use. The trees and shade panels (complete with color-changing lights!) provide privacy and a little bit of show-off flair.

The next phase includes a pergola with a gate to create an ambience every time someone enters the space. Right now there is a place for lounge chairs, with an outdoor deck coming to allow the homeowners to enjoy the view.

The centerpiece is, of course,

Phase 1 is complete for this three-part project in Yorktown, Virginia. To kick things off we built a four-season room and a deck, started in on the landscaping, and completed a walkway leading out to the front yard. The most exciting part, of course, is the 38-foot waterfall that will eventually have 20,000 gallons of water rushing over the space.

We started with a completely flat yard, which ended up being a challenge because our waterfall required almost 48 inches of elevation! Outcropping rocks will hold the soil in, and the slopes will be filled with plants like maple and cherry trees that have been repurposed into the space from other parts of the yard.

We installed 3-inch plumbing in the Aqua-Blocs to allow such a massive amount of water to flow through and, in places, bubble up like an actual brook. Big rocks and boulders will bring the whole water feature together. We love that in this backyard, even if the pool is shut down, the homeowners will still be able to enjoy all four seasons with the rushing sound of water controlled by an adjustable pump.

In Phase 2 we're adding a walkway to a pavilion with a fire pit carved into the side of the water feature, an outdoor kitchen, and a lot more landscaping, so stay tuned for some more incredible updates!

When we arrived to this Yorktown home we pulled into the driveway...which is exactly the thing we were replacing and expanding. What started out with concrete turned into a beautiful paver-style driveway. The homeowner helped with this design process, adding curves and circles, creating a piece of art in the place that welcomes her family home every day. Of course a driveway demands a seriously stable structure, so that became key as we built the new fixture from the ground up.

What do we love about pavers in driveways? Well, if things do shift and change in the future, fixing it is as simple as moving a few of them around rather than having to rebuild it from the ground up. This driveway will last a lifetime - that's what we want for our clients!

We hit a unique challenge with an existing walkway that might look mismatched if we didn't configure it correctly, so we tackled the problem head-on and created a solution. You can see how we did it in the video below!

Our first step when creating a custom hardscape is often tearing the yard apart so we can put it back together! Here's a little 'before' sneak peek of a BIG and (one day) beautiful project in the Breezy Point neighborhood of Yorktown, Virginia, complete with a pool and a whole lot more coming!

Right now we're working to install pavers around the pool and a walkway to the front.

Who's excited to see the after?!

Technical Specifications:
1220 square feet
Style: Techo Bloc Blu60 / Techo Bloc Antika
Color: Shale Grey and Onyx Black

When we first walked to the back of this home nestled in the Patriots Walk neighborhood of Yorktown, we did a double take. The deck that should have been an outdoor haven for the family was falling apart and was no longer safe, let alone usable. It took us a little over a day to replace the deck with a brand new patio that will last for decades to come.

With a lot of demolition of the existing structure and special attention paid to preserving the beautiful yard that is typical of York County homes, we created a simple but eye-catching stone patio so that life can be lived better outdoors for the entire family, from the grill master to the little ones who will use the slide over and over again.

Watch this video to see the transformation!

Technical Specifications
Belgard Highland Stone (Color: Jefferson)
12 feet of Chesapeake XL Cap
18-foot patio

It wasn’t that long ago COVID happened. It was a bit rough. Travel was almost completely nixed. Consequently 2020 was coined The Year of the Home. Boy was it! As we entered 2021, the trend continued. We were asked many times to use the vacation budget to create a place where experiences, conversations, and life could happen steps from the living room. We happily accepted the challenge. We are honored to change the landscape around Hampton Roads, consequently changing the way our clients live outdoors.

Watch the video below to see some of our favorites, then click here for a brief review of our top 10 projects and take the opportunity to vote for YOUR favorite!

Years ago we added outdoor landscaping and a fountain to this beautiful backyard in Yorktown. This year, we came back to add an outdoor kitchen complete with under-counter storage, side-burners, and a built-in Napoleon Prestige grill. We also included WiFi enabled low-voltage lighting to make sure you can get around it during the evening.

If it wasn't already a welcoming space, this small kitchen addition is going to make the ambiance even better. It's a usable space even in inclement weather, and we can't think of a more perfect way to welcome fall.

What would you want in an outdoor kitchen? Comment and let us know!

We originally added a pool, carport, and landscaping to this home in Yorktown, Virginia. A few years later we added a water feature...and now they want even more! This beautiful backyard features summertime hydrangeas, an outdoor kitchen, and crepe myrtles, among other things.

For their new water feature we added a bubbling sphere, but after they got a taste of it they knew they wanted to add on. We're taking out hydrangeas, repositioning the sphere, adding a waterfall, and upgrading the overall view. Tons of AquaBlox were used along with the new Aquascape SLD 5000-9000 for the fountain and a Aquascape AquaSurge 5000 for the waterfall.

This backyard is going to be quite the showpiece, right in the heart of Yorktown. Watch this video to see the transformation! Do you think they're done, or will we come back for more in a few years?!