Project story

Cumberland South

Curving Paver Court and Entertaining Patio with Outdoor Kitchen and Fire Bench

Landscape Design
Hardscape
Outdoor Lighting

A front court of curving pavers and a backyard patio built for long dinners and firelight, lit from the steps to the string lights.

The Garden

A garden that curves out front and settles in out back

Out front, soft curves of gravel and planting cut through a warm-toned paver court. Out back, a pale stone patio holds a stone-clad kitchen, a long dining table and an L-shaped fire bench. Warm light ties the two halves together, from the glowing steps to the string lights overhead.

Chapter 1 · The Arrival

Curves that lead you to the door

The front court is laid in warm-toned pavers, with curving beds of gravel, grasses and low succulents cutting through it. Boulders and a flagstone stepping path wander through the gravel on one side. Low lights along the beds and at the walls keep the whole approach glowing after dark.

Aerial dusk view of the front court, warm-toned pavers divided by curving gravel beds with grasses, boulders and low lights

Overhead view of curving gravel beds with grasses and boulders, a flagstone stepping path and the paver court, lit at dusk

Chapter 2 · The Outdoor Kitchen

A kitchen built for the long table

Along the back fence, a stacked-stone island holds a built-in grill, sink and refrigeration under pale veined counters. A long dining table sits just in front on the same stone paving, so the cook is never far from the conversation. Steps with lit risers lead up to the house.

Twilight view of a long dining table with black chairs beside a stacked-stone kitchen island with a built-in grill, under string lights

Daytime view of the stacked-stone kitchen island with stainless grill and drawers behind the long dining table on pale stone paving

Close view of the veined stone counter with sink and tap, and the built-in grill beyond, at dusk

Chapter 3 · The Fire Feature

A fire bench to gather around

A gas fire feature clad in stacked stone sits inside an L-shaped bench, with warm light glowing beneath the seat and the stone. From above you can see how the bench, the dining area and the kitchen share one generous paved floor. Even the steps get a thin line of light.

Night view of a lit gas fire feature clad in stacked stone inside an L-shaped bench with underglow, against a cedar fence

Twilight view over the L-shaped bench to the fire feature, the house and the dining area and kitchen beyond

Aerial night view of the paved patio with the fire bench, dining table and kitchen island and string lights crossing above

Close view of pale stone steps with two thin lines of warm light along the risers

Chapter 4 · The Evening

Lit for the evening

String lights cross the yard from tall poles, and a slim water wall stands against the fence, glowing softly. Light at the steps, under the bench and around the kitchen means every part of the patio is usable once the sun is down.