Backyard Zones Fit for a Queen
Our clients wanted their backyard to be more than just an extension of their home—they envisioned it as a personal retreat from daily life. The priority was to create distinct areas for relaxation, entertainment, and visual beauty while maintaining a sense of unity throughout the space. They also wanted a specific theme: a quintessential English garden. We knew that to create this sort of atmosphere, we needed to be intentional with the material selection and greenery and create a space that prioritized outdoor living. With so many zones, including the pergola area, the pool area, and the English garden, we needed to ensure that each zone had its own identity while contributing to the overall harmony of the backyard. We used the zone method to make this an outdoor escape fit for a queen. Our hardscaping services allowed us to build these clear-cut transitions.
The Reimagined English Garden
For the requested English garden, we utilized various materials to evoke the intentional atmosphere that gardens in England bring their owners. We installed Unilock Copthorne red bricks in a traditional herringbone pattern (reminiscent of many English villages) that cut an intentional contrast with the sleek porcelain pavers used on the main patio. We also used Belgian blocks to create raised borders, giving the space a natural-looking order. If you've ever popped into a traditional English garden, you know that every line and blade of grass is intentionally placed or planted.
Natural Millstone Fountain
At the heart of this garden is a natural millstone fountain from Stone Fest. Surrounded by polished black pebbles, the fountain offers a soothing, meditative sound and adds a therapeutic effect to the space. This feature became an instant favorite of the homeowners, providing a relaxing focal point for their new garden. While not quite as traditional, this modern take made the space bespoke to our clients while adding to the relaxing, nature-based atmosphere they so wanted.
The Highlights
Unlike some projects that require extensive preparation, we were fortunate that the existing space was already leveled, and grading work wasn’t necessary. The original patio was almost as large as the new one, and the grades were already correct, allowing us to jump right into the creative aspects of the build. Our portfolio has other glimpses of our favorite creative builds, but this particular project is a highlight.
Automated Louvered Pergola 
Instead of the traditional British conservatory, the centerpiece of this backyard is the automated louvered pergola from Terra Summer. It’s a high-tech structure that mimics the movement of piano keys, adjusting its louvers to provide varying amounts of shade or sunlight with the press of a button. This automated pergola adds a sophisticated touch, creating shade and protection from light rain. Our clients also particularly loved the automated pergola cover, which made transitions easy.
Bluestone Tread Stocks
We laid down bluestone tread stocks from Delaware Brick between the pergola and the pool area. These pavers serve as a visual and physical transition between the two zones, creating flow while adding a refined, intentional look that elevates the entire space. We also used Bluestone tread stocks to border the pool, providing a durable and elegant edge that complemented the sleekness of the nearby pergola.
Landscape Lighting
The landscape lighting literally lit up each and every zone of this backyard. We installed a full landscape lighting system that highlights key features such as the pergola, water fountain, and surrounding foliage. Pathways, seating areas, and the poolside are all beautifully illuminated, allowing the family to enjoy their backyard escape well into the evening. Our guide to outdoor living shows you just how much lighting can transform your outdoor spaces.
Material Integration 
One of the most important aspects of this project was how we integrated materials across the different zones. The white porcelain pavers from Elegance, used for the patio, provided a clean, modern foundation for the space. The soft, neutral tones of the porcelain were complemented by the richer hues of the bluestone and red brick in the garden area, creating a balance between contemporary and classic styles.
For the garden’s paths, we used synthetic artificial turf from Ewing to fill in the joints between the porcelain pavers, creating a soft contrast and adding a touch of greenery. This deliberate choice helped tie the space together and reminded us of the more stately English gardens we've seen.
Landscaping in West Chester, Pennsylvania
From start to finish, this project went smoothly, with no unexpected challenges along the way. We had the benefit of working on a leveled site, but the careful planning and intentional execution by our team cannot be understated. The big complexity was balancing the contrasting materials in a way that looked planned and intentional. The automated pergola, therapeutic water feature, elegant pavers, and artistic lighting melded together in this backyard retreat into the English garden experience that our clients asked for. We were delighted to use our landscaping services to bring our clients' vision to life in such a real way.
This landscaping project in West Chester, Pennsylvania, is one of the most rewarding and unique designs we’ve completed to date in our entire service area, and we’re proud to showcase it.