Space for the Family
This Wilmington property needed to work harder for the family that uses it: dedicated space for meals outside, a fire pit for gathering after dark, and a softer lounge area for slower, quieter time together. Rather than one all-purpose patio, the design breaks the backyard into distinct zones built around how the family actually spends time outdoors.
Custom wood fencing defines the boundaries of the space and gives the landscape its own architectural identity, with contemporary detailing that reads as polished without tipping into formal. Durability and craftsmanship carried through every decision: the goal was a backyard built to be used and enjoyed for years, not just photographed once and left alone.
Location
Wilmington,
Delaware
Design/Install
GreenRoots
Design Firm
Awards
APLD
Bronze Award
Photography
Mark Rutt
Creative
The Project Brief
- Dedicated zones for dining, fire pit gathering, and soft-seating lounge space
- Custom wood fencing defining the outdoor space and adding architectural character
- Bluestone patios and stepping-stone paths connecting each zone
- Ornamental grass plantings softening the hardscape and fence line
- Built for durability and long-term family use
- A cohesive backyard that functions as a true extension of the home
The Experience
Each zone has its own reason for being there. A dining area anchors one end of the patio for family meals, a fire pit and soft seating group give the evenings somewhere to land, and stepping-stone paths thread it all together through drifts of ornamental grass. The custom wood fence runs along the perimeter, its vertical slats catching light differently through the day and giving the whole yard a quiet, architectural backdrop.
Nothing here feels like leftover space. Whether it's a weeknight dinner outside, a fire on a cool evening, or a quiet afternoon on the soft seating, the backyard was built to hold all of it at once.
A backyard shouldn't have one purpose. It should have as many as the family that uses it.
