Firepit

The fire pit was fashioned with stones found on the property, and the couple built the Adirondack chairs themselves using some plans they found online.

Dekko Concrete fire pit in the front yard

Back yard with fire pit facing the lake

Fire pit, gabion fencing

View of fire-pit

stone patio and fire pit

Fire pit

Fire Pit

Fire pit

Fire Pit

When the Ferguson Sauder family—parents Meg, a school counselor, and Tim, a design instructor, plus kids Cole, Olive, and Asher—wanted a multifunctional backyard addition, they decided to build it themselves. Two Liftoff chairs by Tim Miller, one of Tim’s former students, surround an oil-drum fire pit set in granite dug up on the property. On the deck, the Panamericana chair is by Industry of All Nations.

Fire pit

Carstensen landscaped the backyard and added a simple fire pit circle with chairs. He updated the deck, replacing the vertical posts with screens to create a more open feeling.

"The fire pit area seats four and is great for making s'mores," says Dianna.

A tucked away fire pit provides an additional gathering experience.

Outdoor fire pit area.

The backyard fire pit is handmade by Fire Pits of Atlanta with chairs by Room & Board.

Made of polished integral concrete with a Cor-Ten steel base, a fire pit “becomes very much a unique element that sets itself apart in form and color,” says landscape architect Stefan Thuilot, who designed it.

A dedicated fire pit zone means the garden can also be enjoyed in the cooler months.