A HEIRLOOM HARDSCAPE
Services: Paver Patio / Natural Stone / Retaining Wall / Drainage / Hardscape Lighting / Custom Pillar LightThis Ann Arbor family had a clear goal: build a backyard they'd never need to redo. They weren't looking for a quick upgrade — they wanted a space designed for the long haul. Natural stone and paver brick were non-negotiable. The rest was up to us to bring together.
The Challenge:
The site had real topographical complexity. The grade change across the backyard made usable outdoor living space difficult, and existing drainage issues meant water was already working against the property. Any design solution had to solve for function first — then beauty.
Project Investment: $60,000 – $100,000
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
The Approach
We started where we always do: the ground beneath the ground. A full drainage system was designed and installed before anything else touched the surface. Getting water moving correctly was the foundation everything else would be built on.
From there, a custom retaining wall was constructed to address the grade change, carving the yard into defined, usable levels. The upper level became the centerpiece — a natural stone and paver brick patio designed for the way this family actually lives. Generous in scale, built for gatherings, and finished with the kind of material quality that only gets better with age.
Hardscape lighting was integrated throughout — into the wall, along the patio edge, and across the surrounding landscape — so the space is just as inviting after dark as it is in daylight. Every fixture was placed with intention, not as an afterthought.
At the driveway entrance, we designed and built a custom pillar light from the ground up. It's the first thing you see when you arrive and sets the tone for everything behind the house.
The Result
A backyard built for a lifetime. The drainage works. The walls are solid. The stone will outlast the decade. And every evening, the lighting brings the whole space to life in a way that still catches the family off guard.
This is the kind of project we do our best work on — complex enough to require real expertise, personal enough to require real care.
“the finished project exceeded our expectations. The craftsmanship is top-notch and built to last. We receive compliments on the patio and retaining wall from neighbors constantly.”
— Seth L.
Let's talk about your space.
A straightforward conversation with an experienced Ann Arbor hardscape contractor.