UA_Fontenay Pl_Shoedinger

Upper Arlington, Ohio

Fontenay Pl

What was originally a window well has turned into a two-story masonry masterpiece with a variety of sitting areas for friends and family. Custom ironwork adds a luxurious tone along the walls. Large cypress planters along the retaining walls in the summer give it the feel of a classic Tuscan villa.

The sunken fire pit is truly unique. It includes double brick to enhance the robust nature of the stone. The patio was built with the same stark stone façade to mirror the house stone - creating cohesion from home to patio.

When this family isn't sitting around the warm fire pit on cold days, they can flip through their phones while enjoying the outdoors on the bottom patio or taking a dip in their spa. The seating arrangements are endless with stone palace.

Landfare Ltd. enlisted the help of their engineering partner to accomplish the eight-feet tall wall below the home's grading. Heavy concrete retaining walls had to be constructed to support the weight of not only the pool, but also the upper areas resting on the shoulders of the bottom patio. Beautiful limestone throughout created smooth transitions between each of the sitting areas and the original home's design.

Large cypress planters along the retaining walls in the summer give it the feel of a classic Tuscan villa.

While you wouldn't notice the drainage system from anywhere on the patio or in the grass, this was the most complex aspect of the project. All of the drainage systems needed to be rerouted to the front yard in order to avoid water damage to the stonework. The drains were surreptitiously hidden under natural stone to feel like an extension of the patio with the end result feeling like an organic water system.