From design to built
A desert side yard path that leads to the fire pit, just as the design imagined
6/10
likeness to the winning design
The heart of the winning design came through: a stepping-stone path through gravel runs down the narrow side yard to a fire pit circle of large square pavers set with gravel joints, framed by cactus along the walls. The build uses paver-block steps, warmer gravel and younger, sparser plantings, and adds cheerful blue chairs and string lights, so the finished yard feels a bit brighter and more casual than the calm gray renders.
What was kept
- The overall layout: a long stepping-stone path down the side yard leading to a seating area at the far end
- The fire pit zone built from large square concrete pavers with gravel joints, very close to the grid shown in the renders
- A freestanding fire pit with Adirondack-style chairs arranged around it, as the brief and design called for
- Gravel ground cover throughout for a low-maintenance desert look
- Cactus and succulents planted along the perimeter walls, including columnar cactus and small barrels
- The block walls and stucco house wall framing the space, matching the renders' setting
What changed
- The stepping stones are pads made of smaller gray paver blocks rather than the long, smooth light-gray slabs in the renders
- The gravel reads warmer and browner than the blue-gray gravel shown in the design
- The planting is younger and more spread out; the large cycads, barrel cactus clusters, agave groupings and palm from the renders aren't visible yet
- The white rock dry river, boulders and spilling jug don't appear in these photos, though they may sit outside the camera's view
- Bright blue chairs replace the soft gray ones in the renders, and string lights were added along the walls
- The covered patio with interlocking pavers isn't shown in the renders, so it can't be compared
Highlights
- Looking down the path to the fire pit, the photo lines up remarkably well with the design's main view
- The square pavers with gravel seams around the fire pit look crisp and true to the plan
- The blue chairs pop against the pale walls and give the yard a fun, personal touch
- String lights overhead promise lovely evenings around the fire
- The new covered patio pavers add a tidy, finished outdoor room near the house
SpaceApp
reviewed this with its AI, from the client's photos and the winning design. Judged on: the side yard path and fire pit area only; the patio isn't shown in the renders, and some planting areas are out of view, so this is an estimate.}
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The winning design
By Anónimo , chosen by the client from 22 designs.
See the winning design →