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This backyard was a blank canvas. As you can see from the before shots below, it was more or less nothing but dirt. While it wasn’t much to start with, the lack of pre-existing elements gave the homeowner freedom to dream up and create his ideal outdoor space with us, and that’s just what we did.
This backyard makeover was truly one for the record books, but in the midst of all that we did, our biggest challenge by far was moving a 22,000-lb. plunge pool from the street into the backyard. With limited driveway space, houses surrounding the one we were working on, and lots of power lines in the mix, we were all a little nervous.
It took two trucks and a giant crane to try and attempt this incredible feat and get it done in time for Christmas to surprise the homeowners... 3/4/2023 Backyard Cigar Lounge in ToanoThis homeowner had one simple request: to make his backyard better than his neighbor's yard that we had finished before! We started brainstorming exactly how to do this. First we started out with different paver textures that creates a subtle visual appeal to the whole space. The landscaping is filled with plants of different heights that bloom at different times so the foliage and shrubbery will look good all year long. Finally we added on a water feature with low-voltage lighting to complete the back.
As some projects go, the design began to evolve as we continued building the project. We added a few different elements, moved a maple tree, and lit it up in a big way. As we incorporated a lot of different elements, the front yard began to stand out - tastefully, of course - in their neighborhood. To cap it all off, we had one final thought... 2/24/2023 Backyard Pizza Oven in SmithfieldThere's not much that hasn't changed about this backyard! When the wetland buffer was moved the possibilities opened up, and we've made quite the transformation at this home in the Cypress Creek neighborhood of Smithfield.
First up is the Forno Bravo pizza oven, which required some interesting modifications to keep the inside as hot as possible and insulated well. 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!
Some of our projects are in big, wide-open spaces...and then some are like this one in Newport News, Virginia, which boasts a grand total of 750 square feet in the backyard. We knew it would be challenging to create a full design in a tiny space, but we also had some big ideas and a lot of experience making seemingly impossible dreams come true.
Catalytic converter thefts have been rising steadily over the years, and we got hit for the second time recently. The thief took our converter along with four boxes of equipment. This time, though, we used an Apple AirTag to track down its location and catch the thief. Here's how it all played out...
1/24/2023 A Truly Life-Changing BackyardBreak out the tissues, because this is by far our most emotional video yet...
This couple was just like you and I - living their lives, trying to save money, and enjoying their marriage when an unexpected cancer diagnosis took them by complete surprise. They started to re-evaluate how they were spending their time and money, and realized that their outside space was creating stress instead of enjoyment. It's exactly the kind of transformation we love to take on. What started as an afterthought or a luxury - a backyard they could love - became a high priority, and that's where we stepped in... This homeowner was, quite simply, tired of staring at the same old giant plot of grass in his backyard day after day, month after month. He's in the same situation a lot of people find themselves currently: working from home full-time. While there are some awesome perks of working from the home office, there are some definite drawbacks. After all, who wants to get tired of being in their own house?
The good news is that we had a massive plot of land and a built-in beautiful water view at this space in Lanexa to create something spectacular. We began to hatch a plan... 1/11/2023 We Surprised WAVY 10!When we started working on the outdoor set for the Hampton Roads Show at WAVY TV 10, we knew there were three critical elements: the fire pit, an outdoor kitchen, and of course some lighting and landscaping to complete the look. After talking with the producers, though, we decided to surprise them with one more addition...
We're incredibly excited for this next project, because we get to build outdoor TV set for WAVY10! They will use this new space to host the Hampton Roads show, present weather in real-time, and report the news outside when possible. So what's in this exciting new area? Let's take a look...
12/28/2022 How to Landscape a Sloped YardDoes the sloped yard and water run-off problems ruin our project?!
We faced some pretty big obstacles at this house in the heart of the Ford's Colony Williamsburg neighborhood, and we had to come up with answers. Here's what we did... 12/23/2022 The Whole Backyard Package in Suffolk!When the heavy rains come to Virginia, they can really wreak havoc on the backyard! Fortunately we had a lot of grading to do anyways, so all the extra mud will be cleaned out and we can leave everything back in its perfect condition.
This was a very complete project so it took some time to make everything not only look good but flow smoothly throughout the space, and we actually finished with a walkway leading to the backyard from the front of the house so there would be an easy way to get to the good stuff. And if you're wondering, there was a LOT of good stuff to get to... We started out with our favorite kind of yard: one with absolutely NOTHING in it from the start! It's a blank slate for us, and we were excited to get to work.
The first thing we're adding is a pavilion, patio, and fire table with a burner in the center. Next to it will be a large circular seating area, and behind that is going to be one incredible hot tub covered with a pergola and curtains for a little privacy. On the other side we're installing a large outdoor kitchen, which is going to be pretty incredible for a few reasons... 12/8/2022 A Whole Backyard EcosystemWe 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... 11/30/2022 Brand New Neighborhood, Brand New SpaceWe're so excited to start work at this brand new neighborhood in Newport News that's not even listed on Google Maps yet! Right now we're in the process of unloading material to begin construction on this backyard, which needs some work and a lot of additions to make it friendly for outdoor living! Luckily that's our specialty, so here's what we did...
We are working with Wayne Harbin Builders in Williamsburg, a company that builds beautiful custom homes in the area. We work with them to provide landscaping, install water features, and making the outside look as incredible as the inside will when the homeowners step into their new house. In this Ford's Colony home, we did a pathway and landscaping in front with lighting as well as a patio and steps in the back.
11/16/2022 This Backyard is Going to be SWALE!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. 11/3/2022 Contemporary Smokeless Fire PitThis is one of our shortest project recaps so far - but that doesn't take away from how cool this project is! We set about matching the homeowner's modern, contemporary style with a new backyard addition, and the results didn't disappoint.
Starting out with a Techo-Bloc 16x16 square, we added a black fire pit at the very center for an edgy look. A few additions came here and there, with a smokeless insert as well as - of course! - some lighting to accent the space. This backyard may be simple, but as you can see it's anything but boring! Enjoy the finished work in our video and final photos of this cool space in Hampton below. 10/27/2022 Overlooking the James River in StyleWe've been waiting on this project for a long time, and it's finally ready for us to show off! When these homeowners first called us with their idea, we were excited, but house renovations - as they often do - went long on the timeline and the budget, so their back yard had to wait for awhile. Luckily, their beautiful view of the James River Bridge wasn't going anywhere, and we saw the potential of this incredible Hilton Village home from the first visit.
For obvious reasons, the homeowners wanted to maximize their sunset view while keeping the space kid-friendly, so we got to work with a few goals in mind. 10/25/2022 How Does Your Backyard Sound?As much as we love how our projects look, one often-overlooked component is that sound that a water feature can create in a backyard. Just close your eyes and listen to the sound of flowing water, then imagine what it would be like to hear that every time you open your back door. It's one big component of our desire to allow people to live life outdoors!
For this Williamsburg home, we were working to create two separate spaces for enjoyment. There was already a fire pit with a seating wall, but the flow of the yard wasn't quite right, and we had to add a water feature as well. Here's how we made the transformation. 10/12/2022 A Backyard Pizza Oven? Yes, Please!We covered some of these details in Part 1, but this is a project that we have been involved with for much longer than we anticipated! Long story short, when the wetland buffer behind the Cypress Creek neighborhood in Smithfield got moved, the possibilities opened up for these clients, and we all got right to planning what we would add to a beautiful backyard pool.
One big change we started with was the actual pave color. Instead of having to apply new stain themselves, we suggested these homeowners opt for a new, chocolate border around the pool to make the space pop. At the same time, though, we needed to make sure Phase 1 and 2 were cohesive. Nobody wants to look at a backyard and see exactly where one project ended and another one began! Plus, there was one more key element to add... 10/6/2022 This Pool was a Mess...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! 9/29/2022 $1 Under BudgetWorking with budgets is a big part of our project design, and we understand that projects have to fit within your means and budget, even if we have to get a little creative to make everything happen! This homeowner in Chesapeake set a budget of $15,000 and emphasized the need to stay at that number - so, along with creating a beautiful outdoor space for her, that was at the top of our minds!
Here's how it turned out. |
About Easton OutdoorsWe started out as the neighborhood lawn boys – a group of high school friends trying to make some pocket change. It soon became more. We realized how much we enjoyed landscaping. Over the years, we've transformed hundreds of properties, beautified countless landscapes, and made many homeowners proud. This has become our passion! Categories
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- Ultimate Backyard w/ Hot Tub - Toano
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- Hanging Out in the Corner - James Landing
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- The Complete Package - Kingsmill
- Built Just for Hanging Out - Suffolk, Virginia
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- Let's Create
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Our Work
- From Dust to an Aquascaped Oasis
- Backyard Waterfall in Norfolk, Virginia
- From Pond to Pondless - Smithfield
- Contemporary Koi Pond - Toano
- Wildlife Oasis Pond - Virginia Beach
- Trip to Cancun - Windsor
- Ultimate Backyard w/ Hot Tub - Toano
- Backyard Rescue & Rehabilitation - Carrolton
- Private Oasis - Ford's Colony
- Sunken Patio - Yorktown, Virginia
- Hanging Out in the Corner - James Landing
- No More Erosion - Settlement at Powhatan Creek
- Colonial Garden - Williamsburg
- It's Too Shady - Yorktown, Virginia
- The Complete Package - Kingsmill
- Built Just for Hanging Out - Suffolk, Virginia
- Learn
- Let's Connect
- Trusted Partners
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