Big Picture: Southern Revival

Location: Denver
Company: Lifescape Colorado

Maintaining the style of this 1920s home and finding materials to blend with its architecture was a must for this project.

The client’s wish list included a dining patio with a fireplace and pergola; a full outdoor kitchen; a spa; removing the tree hedge along the back of the property, while still screening the parking area; retaining turf areas for the client’s dogs; and incorporating formal plantings, lighting, gas lamps and garden boxes. The project took place in three phases over three consecutive summers.

With a little luck and a lot of hunting, Lifescape secured reclaimed brick that matched the style of the home and married the brick patterns and design with the home’s architecture. The team successfully navigated the project—and city and zoning laws—and coordinated with a wide variety of tradespeople.

The project earned Lifescape Colorado a 2017 Grand Award from the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ Awards of Excellence program.

Photo by Dan DeGrush/Lifescape Colorado

The York Street property after the renovation looking out from the new outdoor
kitchen onto the rejuvenated backyard.

Photo by Dan DeGrush/Lifescape Colorado

The property before the renovation consisted of small and dated flagstone patios
with a tired lawn.

Photo by Dan DeGrush/Lifescape Colorado

The view to the back of the property was this old, uninspiring tree hedge, which screened the alley and parking.

Photo by Dan DeGrush/Lifescape Colorado

The backyard trees come down.

Photo by Dan DeGrush/Lifescape Colorado

Reclaimed brick matches the 1920s two-toned brick home and side yard landscape walls. The new 7-foot wall ties the home and new landscape design together.

Photo by Dan DeGrush/Lifescape Colorado

The landscape wall is accented with antique doors, upright evergreens and charming gas lamps. A small fountain set within a Mexican pebble inlay finishes the scene.

Photo by Dan DeGrush/Lifescape Colorado

Polly, the client’s dog, greets guests from the backyard entrance where guests can park. The reclaimed red brick is used as a border to accent the tumbled pavers, selected to give an old charm.

Photo by Dan DeGrush/Lifescape Colorado

An old arched window was replaced with a beautiful door with a new staircase to allow guests to enter straight into the dining area.

Photo by Dan DeGrush/Lifescape Colorado

Formerly an unused side turf area, this charming gravel patio includes raised planters and a potting bench.

Photo by Dan DeGrush/Lifescape Colorado

A before shot of the backyard.

Photo by Dan DeGrush/Lifescape Colorado

The outdoor kitchen provides a great place to entertain. Both paver patios featured detailed inlaid designs.

Photo by Dan DeGrush/Lifescape Colorado

The outdoor kitchen features a Green Egg grill/smoker, an additional built-in grill and cooktop, and plumbing.

Photo by Dan DeGrush/Lifescape Colorado

The client’s pets love the new backyard lined with privet, roses and pyramidal boxwood accents.

Photo by Dan DeGrush/Lifescape Colorado

The homeowners absolutely adore their York Street revival and were delighted to show it off.

Photo by Dan DeGrush/Lifescape Colorado

During the construction of the fireplace, pergola and dining patio. To the right, brick wing wallsand stairs were constructed for the new door access to the interior dining room.

Photo by Dan DeGrush/Lifescape Colorado

The casual fireplace makes a perfect spot to cozy up and can be used late into the season with the addition of a chandelier and heating elements.

Photo by Dan DeGrush/Lifescape Colorado

The final plan view after all phases have come together. A strong axis ties the different spaces together and the new brick wall gives more space for an interesting plant palette while maintaining manicured turf areas.

Photos: Dan DeGrush