How We Addressed Drainage Issues in Our New Backyard

When dreaming of a new home after seven years in a Downtown townhouse, a yard for our two pups was the top of our priority list. We didn’t need a substantial size — but a space for Sawyer and Finn to roam, run and do their business leash-free was our ultimate wish! While taking the dogs on walks was a welcomed part of our daily routine, the frequency became a burden.

Our new home has a perfectly sized backyard, but it is unfortunately positioned like a bowl from higher-plane neighboring homes on all three sides. Previous homeowners were not dog owners and, thus, didn’t have to deal with the side effects of rain. We observed that a retaining wall was beginning to stress, and water had nowhere to go. A coincidental site visit during a flash flood gave us all the realities we needed to know (and face!).

My interior designer Ann Parker is married to a renowned landscape architect; and they both shared that Agriscapes would be our drainage go-to. Sure, we could potentially save 3-5% on the bottom line elsewhere, but the quality, expertise, and customer service of Agriscapes would prove a worthwhile investment.

Agriscapes’ co-owner Johnny Deniston studied landscape architecture, and his team provides full architectural plans (see ours above) as part of the process for no extra fee. It was helpful to see and understand the birds-eye view of our situation and see a start-to-finish project with one point of contact (rather than pay for an architect’s ideas first and separately).

Here’s what we learned:

1 - Addressing drainage is not fun nor affordable when executed correctly — but it’s absolutely worthwhile.

Underground remedies definitely do not relay to the beauty of a new piece of furniture or finish. You can’t even see the materials you’re paying for! While, yes, it’s frustrating, I’m so happy we moved forward with a foolproof solution rather than a “half baked” version that would still present flaws.

2 - Phasing is (usually) possible!

Our backyard master plan, detailed above, features a vision for a seating/entertaining area, additional plantings, and potentially a garden or water/sculptural feature to enjoy from the breakfast nook. Our back gate could be reevaluated as well, offering a more pedestrian-friendly entrance and view. For financial reasons, we were not able to execute it all at once — and that’s totally okay! Agriscapes determined a phase one that could secure our space until we were ready to restart — whether in a few months or a year.

3 - Obviously, planting sod right as winter commences is not an ideal timeline for grass to root and grow.

However, considering our immediate flooding needs that would prompt mud and messiness year-round—and considering our multi-phase approach—we decided moving forward now would be the best short-term solution.

We are so pleased with our results and couldn’t recommend Agriscapes more. Muddy paws and ruined floors, no more!

The Four Key Ingredients to a Guest-Ready Home for the Holidays

Our first opportunity to host this holiday season was, by all definitions, a mad dash. We used Thanksgiving Day as the driver of our new home’s construction deadlines and dream kitchen details; and if it weren’t for our out-of-town holiday guests—my in laws—I don’t think we all would’ve taken the deadline so seriously! Miraculously, the move and the design execution came together, and our door was open for an intimate family meal that I will forever cherish.

When it comes to hosting guests, your core elements of hospitality can be consistent despite your style or routine. Sure, I wish I had more furniture or decor in my guest rooms other than a bed and nightstands — but the mattresses were plush and comfortable, and magically, nothing else seemed to matter.

Here are my key ingredients to preparing a guest-ready home for the holidays:

Photos by Christen Jones Photography

COMFORT

Happiness consists of getting enough sleep, am I right? When starting from scratch in our new house with multiple guest rooms, I leaned on an organic, hypoallergenic, and affordable mattress that would arrive on time and unbox with complete ease. My Green Mattress was the perfect choice.

The best proof point? My in-laws bought a Green Mattress for their home after visiting us!

FLORALS + GREENERY

A centerpiece — whether a moss mound, a simple vase with branches from the backyard, or a professional organic masterpiece like this one by Everbloom Design — brings life and energy to a space. A couple of blooms in the bathroom or a corner plant from June Wren does so much for your home—and your mood—with little effort.

FINE WINE

Need I say more? Opening a bottle with your guests to enjoy over a meal or beforehand welcomes a warm toast and opportunity to celebrate simply being together. I loved the Rombauer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa for an earthy yet balanced sip.

DELICIOUS FOOD

This is a non-negotiable. Snacks in the pantry, charcuterie on the countertop, cookies in the oven, and a soup on the stove — no matter the level of formality, feeding your guests with a sense of intentionality is the greatest gift!