Case Study

Bluestone Makeover in Glen Allen (The Case Study)

Bluestone Makeover in Glen Allen (The Case Study)

Background

Tucked in between Mill Road and I-295, Hunton Estates is a Glen Allen neighborhood that conveniently sits away from the hustle and bustle. Featuring reasonably-priced, expansive homes, this quiet community dates back to 2002 and has continued to develop over the years.

Client Needs

With their kids grown and out of the house, this hardworking couple was looking to transform their blank backyard into something special. Before undertaking the project, the couple's home had a beautiful covered porch, but the backyard featured little else. The goal of this project was to utilize the blank backyard to create a spacious outdoor room that built upon and incorporated the existing porch.

Design Phase

The goal of this design was to create a versatile patio space along with a complimentary landscape plan for the front and backyard. Our unique design process allowed the couple to explore various layout options while also keeping the project on budget.

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Build Phase, Challenges, and Finish

The final space is a stunning extension of the house and features a mortared-bluestone patio, grill island, gas fire pit, sitting walls and outdoor lighting. The project also includes comprehensive landscaping of the front and backyard.

<div>Features in this project:</div>
Features in this project:
  • Mortared Bluestone Patio

  • Stone Veneered Sitting Walls & Pillars

  • Gas Fire Pit

  • Grill Island

  • High Impact / Low Maintenance Landscape

  • Low Voltage, LED Lighting

Fire at the Turn of a Key

As with many homeowners, it was important to this client that the fire pit be easy and convenient to use. Instead of a wood-burning feature that requires setup, tending and cleaning, we designed a custom gas-burning fire pit that starts and stops with a turn of a key. The resulting gas feature is perfect for both a long, rousing night by the fire with friends or a quick, quiet nightcap.

Upgrading the Grill

An avid griller for family and friends, upgrading the grill was an important element of this project. This simple island design features an over-sized grill and ample counter space that is perfect when entertaining gatherings both large and small.

Landscape Fit for a Duke

JMU Alumni, this client requested an area of the landscape that featured their university’s colors. Instead of one area, Outdoor Dreams designed the entire landscape, front and backyard, with the purple and gold colors of James Madison University. From Spring through Autumn, this landscape lights up with a variety of different shrubs, trees and perennials that feature purple and golden yellow flowers.

Before -> 3D Rendering -> Actual

Click or drag through these photos to watch this project go from blank slate to conceptual rendering to dream backyard.

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