Joy’s Pool
Joy Lewis-Hassler’s
Water Obsession
Innovative Landscapes
Firefly Forts
Creating Magical
Outdoor Memories
Get Ready to Grill
Choosing the right outdoor cooking solution
Warmer temperatures and sun-filled days mean it’s time to take entertaining and socializing outdoors, and a key component of many outdoor gatherings is fresh-grilled food.
Because firing up the grill can make prepping meals quick and easy, it allows you to spend more time with friends and family rather than missing out on the sunshine while stuck in the kitchen. Whether you’re a first-time griller or consider yourself a master of the grates, there’s a grill available to meet your skill level and needs, such as these options that provide flexibility for small-to-midsize backyard spaces - as well as a large built-in model for custom outdoor kitchens - and a variety of features and function to make the most of your warm weather gatherings.
Portable, Small-Space Cooking
Ideal for first-time grillers, couples, small families or those with limited backyard spaces, the Megamaster 3-Burner Gas Grill was designed to fuse performance and value. Despite its size, it can cater to almost any grilling or entertaining need with three stainless steel burners and 447 square inches of cooking space, a
combination of versatility and capacity to prepare large quantities of food as well as various types of food simultaneously. Plus, it’s easy to maneuver on two heavy-duty wheels, making it simple to free up patio space after use. Learn more at megamaster.com.
Family-Sized Functionality
With ample cooking space to feed small and mediumsized groups, the Nexgrill 4-Burner Gas Grill with Side Burner is a perfect all-around grill for both beginners and seasoned grilling enthusiasts. Always ready to fire up some flavor, the durable grill also features a stainless steel side burner to saute, simmer and warm dishes simultaneously as well as 628 square inches of cooking space, meaning family favorites like burgers, dogs, chicken and more can be put on the table quickly. Find more information at nexgrill.com.
Elevate Your Outdoor Kitchen
If your outdoor living area includes enough space, you can elevate the outdoor cooking experience with an outdoor kitchen. Put a premium, built-in grill like the Spire 6-Burner Built-In Grill at the center of your custom, luxurious entertaining space. This dual-fuel, stainless steel gas grill features 904 square inches of cooking space and 73,000 British thermal units of cooking power across six main burners and an intense-heat ceramic rear burner, producing restaurant-quality sear marks and exceptional heat retention. Visit spireoutdoor.com to learn more about the durable, high-performance grilling solution.
GARDENS
Nashville, where vibrant culture meets the there is a trusted team that you turn to when extra special touch. As Nashville’s largest full-service landscape company, Gardens of a reputation for crafting breathtaking, landscapes that endure through the seasons.
Creating Timeless Landscapes
Creating Timeless Landscapes
GARDENS OF BABYLON, NASHVILLE TN
GARDENS OF BABYLON, NASHVILLE
Creating Timeless Landscapes
Creating Timeless Landscapes
GARDENS OF BABYLON, NASHVILLE TN
Creating Timeless Landscapes
Creating Timeless Landscapes
GARDENS OF BABYLON, NASHVILLE TN
experts, the team at Gardens of Babylon continues to transform outdoor sanctuaries, bringing their clients closer to nature with every project.
“The right plant for the right place is the key to a landscape that stands the test of time”
“The right plant for the right place is the key to a landscape that stands the test of time”
“The right plant for the right place is the key to a landscape that stands the test of time”
“The right plant for the right place is the key to a landscape that stands the test of time”
Summer 2024
“The right plant for the right place is the key to a landscape that stands the test of time”
“The right plant for the right place is the key to a landscape that stands the test of time”
Ground covers also play a pivotal role in creating beautiful and functional landscapes. These low-growing plants are excellent for controlling erosion, suppressing weeds, and adding texture to the garden. Some good options for Middle TN are:
As Nashville’s go-to experts, the team at Gardens of Babylon continues to transform outdoor spaces into timeless sanctuaries, bringing their clients closer to nature with every project.
As Nashville’s go-to experts, the team at Gardens of Babylon continues to transform outdoor spaces into timeless sanctuaries, bringing their clients closer to nature with every project.
Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata): Native to our area, this dense cover is a showstopper with lavender-blue flowers.
Summer 2024
throughout this article are by Aaron Martin, showcasing done by Gardens of Babylon.)
As Nashville’s go-to experts, the team at Gardens of Babylon continues to transform outdoor spaces into timeless sanctuaries, bringing their clients closer to nature with every project.
As Nashville’s go-to experts, the team at Gardens of Babylon continues to transform outdoor spaces into timeless sanctuaries, bringing their clients closer to nature with every project.
As Nashville’s go-to experts, the team at Gardens of Babylon continues to transform outdoor spaces into timeless sanctuaries, bringing their clients closer to nature with every project.
June 2024
As Nashville’s go-to experts, the team at Gardens of Babylon continues to transform outdoor spaces into timeless sanctuaries, bringing their clients closer to nature with every project. Summer 2024
Behind Timeless Landscapes
the right place is the key to a landscape test of time," says Troy Black, Landscape Gardens of Babylon. By carefully selecting plants to their specific locations, you can help element of the landscape complements the cohesive design.
Liriope: Known for its grass-like foliage and small purple flowers, it’s perfect for shady areas. The type you choose for the space is important as some are clumping and others are spreading. Liriope muscari forms neat, dense clumps, unlike its counterpart, Liriope spicata , which is known for its aggressive spreading habit.
Summer 2024
In the heart of Nashville, where vibrant culture meets the beauty of nature, there is a trusted team that you turn to when your yard needs that extra special touch. As Nashville’s largest family-owned full-service landscape company, Gardens of Babylon has built a reputation for crafting breathtaking, sustainable landscapes that endure through the seasons.
In the heart of Nashville, where vibrant culture meets the beauty of nature, there is a trusted team that you turn to when your yard needs that extra special touch. As Nashville’s largest family-owned full-service landscape company, Gardens of Babylon has built a reputation for crafting breathtaking, sustainable landscapes that endure through the seasons.
In the heart of Nashville, where vibrant culture meets the beauty of nature, there is a trusted team that you turn to when your yard needs that extra special touch. As Nashville’s largest family-owned full-service landscape company, Gardens of Babylon has built a reputation for crafting breathtaking, sustainable landscapes that endure through the seasons.
In the heart of Nashville, where vibrant culture meets the beauty of nature, there is a trusted team that you turn to when your yard needs that extra special touch. As Nashville’s largest family-owned full-service landscape company, Gardens of Babylon has built a reputation for crafting breathtaking, sustainable landscapes that endure through the seasons.
(Photographs throughout this article are by Aaron Martin, showcasing the exceptional work done by Gardens of Babylon.)
(Photographs throughout this article are by Aaron Martin, showcasing the exceptional work done by Gardens of Babylon.)
In the heart of Nashville, where vibrant culture meets the beauty of nature, there is a trusted team that you turn to when your yard needs that extra special touch. As Nashville’s largest family-owned full-service landscape company, Gardens of Babylon has built a reputation for crafting breathtaking, sustainable landscapes that endure through the seasons.
In the heart of Nashville, where vibrant culture meets the beauty of nature, there is a trusted team that you turn to when your yard needs that extra special touch. As Nashville’s largest family-owned full-service landscape company, Gardens of Babylon has built a reputation for crafting breathtaking, sustainable landscapes that endure through the seasons.
Ground covers also play a pivotal role in creating beautiful and functional landscapes. These low-growing plants are excellent for controlling erosion, suppressing weeds, and adding texture to the garden. Some good options for Middle TN are:
Ground covers also play a pivotal role in creating beautiful and functional landscapes. These low-growing plants are excellent for controlling erosion, suppressing weeds, and adding texture to the garden. Some good options for Middle TN are:
Ground covers also play a pivotal role in creating beautiful and functional landscapes. These low-growing plants are excellent for controlling erosion, suppressing weeds, and adding texture to the garden. Some good options for Middle TN are:
Ground covers also play a pivotal role in creating beautiful and functional landscapes. These low-growing plants are excellent for controlling erosion, suppressing weeds, and adding texture to the garden. Some good options for Middle TN are:
Ground covers also play a pivotal role in creating beautiful and functional landscapes. These low-growing plants are excellent for controlling erosion, suppressing weeds, and adding texture to the garden. Some good options for Middle TN are:
Ground covers also play a pivotal role in creating beautiful and functional landscapes. These low-growing plants are excellent for controlling erosion, suppressing weeds, and adding texture to the garden. Some good options for Middle TN are:
Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata): Native to our area, this dense cover is a showstopper with lavender-blue flowers.
Ajuga: This fast-growing ground cover has beautiful, dense foliage and spikes of blue flowers, ideal for shaded spots.
(Photographs throughout this article are by Aaron Martin, showcasing the exceptional work done by Gardens of Babylon.)
(Photographs throughout this article are by Aaron Martin, showcasing the exceptional work done by Gardens of Babylon.)
The Expertise Behind Timeless Landscapes
The Expertise Behind Timeless Landscapes
The Expertise Behind Timeless Landscapes
(Photographs throughout this article are by Aaron Martin, showcasing the exceptional work done by Gardens of Babylon.)
The Expertise Behind Timeless Landscapes
(Photographs throughout this article are by Aaron Martin, showcasing the exceptional work done by Gardens of Babylon.)
The Expertise Behind Timeless Landscapes
The Expertise Behind Timeless Landscapes
"The right plant for the right place is the key to a landscape that stands the test of time," says Troy Black, Landscape Designer for Gardens of Babylon. By carefully selecting plants that are well-suited to their specific locations, you can help ensure that each element of the landscape complements the others, creating a cohesive design.
"The right plant for the right place is the key to a landscape that stands the test of time," says Troy Black, Landscape Designer for Gardens of Babylon. By carefully selecting plants that are well-suited to their specific locations, you can help ensure that each element of the landscape complements the others, creating a cohesive design.
"The right plant for the right place is the key to a landscape that stands the test of time," says Troy Black, Landscape Designer for Gardens of Babylon. By carefully selecting plants that are well-suited to their specific locations, you can help ensure that each element of the landscape complements the others, creating a cohesive design.
"The right plant for the right place is the key to a landscape that stands the test of time," says Troy Black, Landscape Designer for Gardens of Babylon. By carefully selecting plants that are well-suited to their specific locations, you can help ensure that each element of the landscape complements the others, creating a cohesive design.
"The right plant for the right place is the key to a landscape that stands the test of time," says Troy Black, Landscape Designer for Gardens of Babylon. By carefully selecting plants that are well-suited to their specific locations, you can help ensure that each element of the landscape complements the
"The right plant for the right place is the key to a landscape that stands the test of time," says Troy Black, Landscape Designer for Gardens of Babylon. By carefully selecting plants that are well-suited to their specific locations, you can help ensure that each element of the landscape complements the others, creating a cohesive design.
Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata): Native to our area, this dense cover is a showstopper with lavender-blue flowers. Liriope: Known for its grass-like foliage and small purple flowers, it’s perfect for shady areas. The type you choose for the space is important as some are clumping and others are spreading. Liriope muscari forms neat, dense clumps, unlike its counterpart, Liriope spicata , which is known for its aggressive spreading habit.
Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata): Native to our area, this dense cover is a showstopper with lavender-blue flowers. Liriope: Known for its grass-like foliage and small purple flowers, it’s perfect for shady areas. The type you choose for the space is important as some are clumping and others are spreading. Liriope muscari forms neat, dense clumps, unlike its counterpart, Liriope spicata , which is known for its aggressive spreading habit.
Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata): Native to our area, this dense cover is a showstopper with lavender-blue flowers.
Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata): Native to our area, this dense cover is a showstopper with lavender-blue flowers.
Shrubs are another critical component in landscape design, providing structure, privacy, and seasonal interest. However,
Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata): Native to our area, this dense cover is a showstopper with lavender-blue flowers. Liriope: Known for its grass-like foliage and small purple flowers, it’s perfect for shady areas. The type you choose for the space is important as some are clumping and others are spreading. Liriope muscari forms neat, dense clumps, unlike its counterpart, Liriope spicata , which is known for its aggressive spreading habit.
Liriope: Known for its grass-like foliage and small purple flowers, it’s perfect for shady areas. The type you choose for the space is important as some are clumping and others are spreading. Liriope muscari forms neat, dense clumps, unlike its counterpart, Liriope spicata , which is known for its aggressive spreading habit.
Ajuga: This fast-growing ground cover has beautiful, dense foliage and spikes of blue flowers, ideal for shaded spots.
Ajuga: This fast-growing ground cover has beautiful, dense foliage and spikes of blue flowers, ideal for shaded spots.
Ajuga: This fast-growing ground cover has beautiful, dense foliage and spikes of blue flowers, ideal for shaded spots.
Liriope: Known for its grass-like foliage and small purple flowers, it’s perfect for shady areas. The type you choose for the space is important as some are clumping and others are spreading. Liriope muscari forms neat, dense clumps, unlike its counterpart, Liriope spicata , which is known for its aggressive spreading habit.
Ajuga: This fast-growing ground cover has beautiful, dense foliage and spikes of blue flowers, ideal for shaded spots.
Liriope: Known for its grass-like foliage and small purple flowers, it’s perfect for shady areas. The type you choose for the space is important as some are clumping and others are spreading. Liriope muscari forms neat, dense clumps, unlike its counterpart, Liriope spicata , which is known for its aggressive spreading habit.
Shrubs are another critical component in landscape design, providing structure, privacy, and seasonal interest. However,
Shrubs are another critical component in landscape design, providing structure, privacy, and seasonal interest. However,
Ajuga: This fast-growing ground cover has beautiful, dense foliage and spikes of blue flowers, ideal for shaded spots.
Shrubs are another critical component in landscape design, providing structure, privacy, and seasonal interest. However,
Ajuga: This fast-growing ground cover has beautiful, dense foliage and spikes of blue flowers, ideal for shaded spots.
Shrubs are another critical component in landscape design, providing structure, privacy, and seasonal interest. However,
Shrubs are another critical component in landscape design, providing structure, privacy, and seasonal interest. However,
Shrubs are another critical component in landscape design,
Summer 2024
Summer 2024
one common mistake many gardeners make with shrubs lies in placement. You want to confirm the shrubs have enough space to grow to their full potential. Gardens of Babylon emphasizes the importance of selecting shrubs with an understanding of their mature size. This foresight prevents over-planting and ensures each plant has the space it needs to thrive. Good options are:
one common mistake many gardeners make with shrubs lies in placement. You want to confirm the shrubs have enough space to grow to their full potential. Gardens of Babylon emphasizes the importance of selecting shrubs with an understanding of their mature size. This foresight prevents over-planting and ensures each plant has the space it needs to thrive. Good options are:
Boxwood: Evergreen foliage, perfect as foundational hedges and formal gardens.
Boxwood: Evergreen foliage, perfect as foundational hedges and formal gardens.
Hydrangea : Many varieties for both full sun and partial shade (some native to our state), boasting lovely colorful blooms.
Hydrangea : Many varieties for both full sun and partial shade (some native to our state), boasting lovely colorful blooms.
Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata): A deciduous holly native to Middle Tennessee, prized for vibrant red berries that persist through winter.
Layering Plants for Added Interest
Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata): A deciduous holly native to Middle Tennessee, prized for vibrant red berries that persist through winter.
Layering Plants for Added Interest
A well-designed landscape is not just about selecting the right plants but also about arranging them in a way that adds depth and interest. Layering plants of varying heights and textures creates a dynamic, engaging landscape that invites you to explore and enjoy your outdoor space. "Your landscape should be inviting you to come outside," says Max Finkbeiner, another Landscape Designer at Gardens of Babylon. Consider your view from different vantage points, such as a porch or a window, and ensure that the landscape is visually appealing from every angle.
A well-designed landscape is not just about selecting the right plants but also about arranging them in a way that adds depth and interest. Layering plants of varying heights and textures creates a dynamic, engaging landscape that invites you to explore and enjoy your outdoor space. "Your landscape should be inviting you to come outside," says Max Finkbeiner, another Landscape Designer at Gardens of Babylon. Consider your view from different vantage points, such as a porch or a window, and ensure that the landscape is visually appealing from every angle.
The team at Gardens of Babylon has been designing, building, and maintaining timeless landscapes for over 20 years. Their work invites you to step outside, enjoy the beauty of nature, and create lasting memories in your own backyard.
The team at Gardens of Babylon has been designing, building, and maintaining timeless landscapes for over 20 years. Their work invites you to step outside, enjoy the beauty of nature, and create lasting memories in your own backyard.
Scan here to get started on your dream yard
Scan here to get started on your dream yard
Why Wild Bird Lovers Should Choose
it Top-of-the-Crop Natural Feed
By Joan Casanova
If you can’t read it, don’t feed
Have you ever wondered what’s in your favorite packaged foods, grabbed a box from your pantry, read the ingredients and realized you still didn’t know what you’re eating? The ingredients in some processed foods can read like a chemist’s shopping list. Now imagine if backyard birds could read. What would they say about the ingredients in the food you feed them?
A growing number of Americans are choosing natural foods for their pets; nearly one-third say they prefer natural products, according to PetFoodIndustry.com. People who feed wild birds also want to know they’re feeding the most natural and nutritious options. It’s hard to be confident when reading the mystifying ingredient list on feed bags makes you feel like a bird brain.
With an abundance of options, ranging from commercial bird feeds to small-batch varieties, understanding the differences can help bird lovers make informed choices to meet wild birds’ nutritional needs while considering factors like sustainability and quality.
The wild bird experts at Cole’s Wild Bird Products, Co. offer these tips to ensure you’re feeding your feathered friends a healthy, natural diet.
While commercial bird feeds aim to provide basic nutrition for birds, the quality and nutritional content can vary. Some mixes contain a high proportion of less desirable seeds and fillers, offering limited nutritional value.
Small batch bird feeds prioritize nutritional content, using premium ingredients rich in essential nutrients, fats and proteins. This can provide birds with a more balanced diet, promoting overall health and vitality.
Avoid commercial bird feeds that are full of cheap fillers, such as red milo, millet, cracked corn, oats and wheat. Fillers lack nutritional value and birds will kick them right out of the feeder. Instead, select small batch, natural feed comprised of top-ofthe-crop seeds which contain no chemicals or mineral oil like Cole’s and bypass seed coated with them. Some commercial bird feeds are coated with mineral oil and mixed with crushed rock to add “vitamins.” Current regulations allow manufacturers to list nutritional components of mineral oil (iron, zinc) and crushed rock (vitamin A, calcium carbonate) separately, which can make the ingredients look more impressive. Mineral oil makes birdseed shiny and helps hide dirt and dust, and crushed rock adds weight to the product.
Take note of ingredients you can’t read; often it’s an indication the ingredient is synthetic or lab engineered. Ingredients like menadione sodium bisulfite complex and thiamine mononitrate aren’t found in natural foods; they’re man-made versions of vitamins. The rule of thumb for buying
Photographs courtesy of Cole’s Wild Bird Products
all-natural is “If you can’t read it, don’t feed it.”
Focus on serving feed with an ingredient list you can read and understand. For instance, Cole’s Sunflower Meats contains nothing but shelled sunflower seeds and White Millet contains 100% white millet. Super simple, right?
Study birds visiting your feeders and research feed they prefer or buy feed from a reputable company that’s done that work for you. For example, Cole’s offers select natural seed choices developed and based on research about what birds actually eat. Feed is specifically formulated to attract certain species of birds as well as the largest number of birds. No cheap filler seeds are used and seed is cleaned to ensure quality - no sticks and dirt. When you know and serve what backyard birds prefer, they’ll keep coming back for more.
Supplement seed with natural foods you have at home. For example, woodpeckers love raw peanuts, mockingbirds love fruit and chickadees savor suet. Soak raisins and currants in water overnight then serve or purchase blends with a dried fruit and nut mixture, like Nutberry suet. To attract orioles, skewer halved oranges on a spike near feeders.
Buy feed from companies specializing in wild bird food. Some offer bird feed as a side product of pet products or grass seed producers. Conversely, Cole’s exclusively produces and sells products for feeding backyard birds. Seeds are packaged like human food in “Harvest Fresh Lock” packaging so seeds don’t lose nutritional content or dry out and spoil.
Joy’sPool
Joy Lewis-Hassler has always loved being in the water. But what started out as a hobby has grown into a passion with a huge following. In a first-person essay, Joy explains how the search for a house in East Nashville with a pool turned her into a “pool influencer” by complete accident.
Story by Joy Lewis-Hassler
Von Reisch Photography
Joy Lewis-Hassler
My water obsession started young, when I was just a minnow. I grew up going to Percy Priest Lake on my parents’ boat, sitting on the bow with the Eagles playing and my sisters waterskiing behind us. Those moments are forever etched in my mind. My whole family is part fish; my mom always had a swimsuit within arm’s reach and still swims at the lake or the YMCA three to four times a week. I was 10 when we got our first pool. My mom came home one day and said she had “closed a big deal” and was getting a pool installed. My sisters and I were ecstatic, and I was obsessed. Even though it was just a modest above-ground pool, it was everything to us. We spent so much time in it that our blonde hair turned green, literally part fish.
Fast forward to 2016, I was looking to buy my first home, but deep down, I was really just looking for a pool. My real estate agent told me that finding a house with a pool in East Nashville within my budget was like finding a unicorn. Motivated, I scouted neighborhoods and pools using Google Maps and Google Earth. Miraculously, I found a house with a 20x40, 9-foot deep in-ground pool and a 2,500-square-foot turquoise wrought iron carport, all for $190,000. Insane! I joked with my friends saying “I just bought an amazing pool, and it came with a cute house.”
Owning a pool came with its challenges, though. My husband and I spent the first three months at various pool stores, frustrated by the green water despite using the powders and liquids they sold us. Determined to understand pool chemistry, I turned to YouTube University and watched every video I could find on the topic. I discovered the benefits of moving to
Von Reisch Photography
Von Reisch
Photography
Von Reisch Photography
Joy Lewis-Hassler
a saltwater system and learned about the BBB method (Bleach, Borax, Baking Soda), which drastically cut my chemical costs and improved my water clarity. After moving to the BBB method, I stopped buying all the expensive pool store chemicals (pH Up, pH Down, etc.) and instead focused on keeping my water balanced. I figured out that I could buy 50-pound bags of baking soda and soda ash for under $100 at Co-Op and get four gallons of muriatic acid at the big box stores for about $100. This decreased my chemical costs from around $200 a month to around $500 for the year. Mind-blowing.
Inspired by my new knowledge, I started a Facebook group on a whim called “Saltwater Pools” to share my experiences and findings. Despite initial skepticism from friends and family, the group grew steadily. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the interest in pools skyrocketed, and my group expanded from 20,000 to around 70,000 members. When Texas had its polar vortex issue, I woke up to find 10,000 members had joined, and it just snowballed from there. About three years ago, I created another group called “Pool Landscaping” (gardening is my other passion), and now both groups have a combined following of around 250,000 people. It’s nuts!
As my follower count grew, so did opportunities from sponsors and pool manufacturers. What had begun as a fun passion project turned into something much bigger. It still blows my mind that I have become, in a way, a “pool influencer” without really meaning to. But when I stop and really think about it, it makes perfect sense. I really do, on a fundamental level, love pools. It’s fun for me! I’m currently working with Tara Products and Pool Parts to Go this summer to do a complete reboot of my backyard with a new shimmer liner, sun sails, new pool equipment, etc. My 10-year-old self still can’t believe this is all real; I just want to pinch myself.
It’s truly amazing how following your interests can lead to fulfilling and meaningful work. So, lean into your hobbies and passions, and if you are really “into” something, jump in. You never know where the float will take you.
Checkout one of these Facebook groups that Joy created: Pool Landscaping - Facebook Group, Salt Water Pools - Facebook Group, Swimply Hosts - Facebook Group
Joy Lewis-Hassler
Joy Lewis-Hassler
Joy Lewis-Hassler
Elevate Your Outdoor Retreat Innovative Hardscaping Designs
(BPT) - With summer’s arrival, it’s time to consider how you’ll use your outdoor spaces this year. Your backyard, patio, front lawn and garden aren’t just for outdoor activities. They are natural living areas that you can use to cook, eat, entertain and relax.
Belgard wants to help you take your outdoor spaces to the next level. From eye-catching driveways to stunning patios and serene landscapes, the company offers an array of products to complement any home. Here are four hardscaping design ideas you can add to your home to extend your living spaces and maximize your time outdoors.
Water Features
Create a visual focal point, add tranquility and mask noise pollution from nearby streets or neighbors in your outdoor spaces with water features. From elegant fountains to serene ponds, water features create a vibrant and dynamic outdoor ecosystem.
Once you choose a water feature that suits your taste and space, find other elements to complement it. Rocks, plants and lighting enhance the natural beauty of your water feature, creating a harmonious balance with the surrounding landscape.
Pave the Way
Paved pathways are a practical and striking addition to front or back lawns. They guide guests through your outdoor spaces while adding visual interest and definition. Consider incorporating curves and bends in your pathways to create a sense of discovery and intrigue. You can also enhance paved pathways with landscape lighting that illuminates the way during evenings for added safety and ambiance.
In addition to a paved pathway, you can also consider a paver patio. Paver patios create a relaxing outdoor space that you can enjoy after a long day at work or use to entertain friends and family. Also, adding a paver patio to your home can potentially increase your home’s value.
Once you choose what you want to pave, you’ll need to decide on the materials you’ll use. Whether you prefer the modern appeal of concrete pavers or pavers that mimic the rustic look of natural stone, there are various options to suit your style and budget.
Choose a style like Papyrus pavers for an organic textural experience with a touch of modern elegance. Need material with style and installation efficiency? Check out Basalt pavers for a flame-textured stone design engineered to maximize pallet layout. For homeowners seeking a more traditional aesthetic, choose Charlestone pavers reminiscent of early American streets and walkways for a distinctive look of weathered hand-cobbled stone.
Outdoor Living Spaces
Think of your backyard as an extension of your home and find ways to seamlessly incorporate indoor luxuries in outdoor living spaces. Whether it’s a cozy patio, a spacious deck or a stylish pergola, these structures provide comfortable areas for relaxation and entertainment in nature.
Integrate features like built-in seating, fire pits or outdoor kitchens to enhance functionality and create a welcoming atmosphere that your friends and family can enjoy. Choose durable materials that can withstand the elements and require minimal maintenance. Doing so ensures you can enjoy your outdoor living areas for a long time.
Retaining Walls and Freestanding Walls
Retaining walls are a multipurpose outdoor structure that serves functional and aesthetic landscaping needs. They can help prevent soil erosion, create terraced levels for planting, and define different zones within your yard.
Retaining walls can also double as seating areas or garden beds. Whether you’re a gardener or regularly host family gatherings, retaining walls can maximize your outdoor living areas for planting and entertaining while adding visual appeal to your environment.
Freestanding walls are most effective when the ground is flat and often used to divide landscapes into distinct areas to enhance the visual appeal of the yard.
Shelton Wall is a small freestanding wall that exudes old world charm with its rustic finish and earth tone blends. You can create intimate outdoor spaces with the privacy offered by this charming and durable wall, great for moderate height retaining walls to add terraces and more usable space in your landscape. Shelton Wall was also featured in Belgard’s recent project with Tan France to help create his dream home in Salt Lake City.
These are just four hardscape and design ideas you can easily add to your home this spring. To find all the products you need to build your outdoor oasis, visit Belgard.com.
Start by looking for the CRS symbol shown above. It’s your assurance that your real estate agent is one of the most experienced and highly trained in the business. If you’re buying or selling a home, call one of the CRS agents on these two pages. One phone call and you’ve made the right choice!
Lawrence M. Lipman, CRS ReMax Collection (615) 364-3333 lipmanhomesandestates.com
Price Lechleiter, CRS Pilkerton Realtors (615) 347-4688 pricel@realtracs.com
Karen Moore, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 327-4800 moorek@realtracs.com
Molly Edmondson, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 351-8753 www.MollyEdmondson.com
Sean Simons, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 496-4920 NashvilleRealEstate@gmail.com
Sam Coleman, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 210-6057 IAMSAMSHOMES.COM
Nancy Tice, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 207-3758 nancyt@realtracs.com
Alice Moore Weaver, CRS Corcoran Reverie (615) 300-7449 Alice.Weaver@corcorangroup.com
Dan Minor, CRS Parks Properties (615) 383-6600 MinorD@realtracs.com
Starling Davis, CRS, GRI Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 327-4800 StarlingDavis@gmail.com
Why Use A CRS Realtor?
Today, home buying and selling is faster, more complex, and more competitive in every way. Our goal is to make the process a little easier for you. The first step is to choose one of the CRS Realtors on these two pages.
Experience
To earn the Certified Specialist (CRS) Designation, every realtor must have significant experience and volume of real estate transactions.
Jerrelynn Davis, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 210-9541 jerrijo@comcast.net
Technology Expertise:
The training available to CRS realtors includes a strong focus on technology and its applications in the real estate business.
Richard Bryan, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 321-9531 www.RichardFBryan.com
Suzanne Elmer, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 496-3728 suzanne@suzanneelmer.com
A Focus on Home Buying and Selling:
To help make the home buying and selling process more rewarding, every CRS realtor must have a proven track record in the business, as well as advanced education in related area like finance, technology and marketing.
Charlotte Ann Edwards Broker®, ABR, CRS, ePro, GRI Onward Real Estate - Green Hills (615) 477-4078 CAEdwards@realtracs.com
Christopher Simonsen, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 473-6998 chris@christophersimonsen.com
Steven Myers, Broker, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 330-0555 SteveMyersHomes.com
Ethics
Every CRS realtor is required to maintain membership in the National Association of Realtors and to abide by its strict code of ethics.
Lucy Smith, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 347-8827 Lucy@LucySSmith.com
Dianne Rucker, CRS ReMax Choice Properties (615) 596-3508 Dianne.Rucker@gmail.com
Donnel Milam, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 400-4211 Donnel@TheMilamGroup.com
Building Brightly
Firefly Forts create space for magical outdoor memories
By Carrington Fox
For better and for worse, the pandemic changed the way we live, especially the way we use our houses. Cooped up day in and day out, families began to reconsider every square foot: Living rooms became study halls, guest rooms became home offices, screened-in porches became dining rooms. And the yard got a whole new lease on life, as housebound families spilled outdoors onto the porch, the grass and even into the trees.
“Life is so different now,” says Keith Maddin, who was providing carpentry and home repair services through her company BK Management before the city began sheltering in place. “I think the pandemic changed the way we think.”
A heightened interest in outdoor living led a longtime client to
ask Keith if she could build a playhouse in the yard for her visiting grandchildren. The client had a structure in mind, something she’d found in Southern Living magazine. She showed the photo to Keith, who saw both a gorgeous playhouse structure and a business opportunity. Keith contacted Firefly Forts in Atlanta to inquire about the tree fort in the photograph, and by the time she got off the phone with Firefly founders Kristin and Michael Scaglione, Keith was on her way to becoming the Nashville branch of their tree fort design-build company.
A quick scroll through Instagram shows that a Firefly Fort is no run-of-the-mill playhouse. The Scagliones built their first luxury tree fort for their own kids, as a ploy to get them out of
Photographs by Eric England
the house and off their computer screens in the early days of the pandemic. Word spread quickly around Atlanta, where the Scagliones have constructed a lofty, leafy network of luxury play structures fit for adults as well as kids. The buzz about Firefly Forts also spread to Nashville, where the Scagliones installed several forts before teaming up with Keith.
There are three base models of Firefly Fort, all of which hover above ground, elevated on stilts or in the trees. The most popular design, “Firefly,” is an elevated house with a wraparound covered porch. “Lightning Bug” is an A-frame. And “Glow Worm” is an open play platform.
All three styles can be customized with elements such as spiral slides, hammocks, zip lines, rope swings, fire poles and climbing walls. While some projects are geared for kids to hang out and play, others are intended for adults to escape the house to a dedicated workspace. Keith says she has heard of the tree forts being used as al fresco dining rooms or as getaways for mahjong and bridge games.
“These are not your typical playhouses,” says Keith, who hints that prices start north of $15,000 and can climb as high as the imagination can soar. Imagine a 14-sided structure with wraparound balcony, internal slides, zip lines, art lighting and chandeliers. Or an air-conditioned and heated treehouse office with storage on the ground level.
A homeowner interested in a Firefly Fort can call Keith to discuss a ballpark budget. Then Keith can walk the property to find a spot and select an appropriate configuration for sleeping lofts, stairs and walkways. From there, the possibilities are endless when it comes to structures and finishes. For example, a simple Firefly Fort could be accessorized with a swinging bridge, functional windows, tongue-and-groove-clad walls and a swing set. The wood can be stained or painted or can remain rustic and raw.
Roughly speaking, it can take a couple weeks to install the structure, with more elaborate forts taking longer to finish.
“A Firefly Fort can be so customized,” Keith says, adding that the last detail on any build is to install a bucket on a pulley system, like something out of a kids’ cartoon. Looking at the playful signature bucket dangling from the upper level of a tree fort, it’s tempting to imagine hoisting some water balloons or a pet frog to play in the leafy hideaway. Or maybe a yoga mat. Or a laptop and a cup of coffee. Or a charcuterie board.
“The idea is to get the kids out of the house,” Keith says. “But it’s not just for kids.”
Originally ran in Nfocus Magazine, June 2024 edition.
Plant a Tree Positive Impact
There are countless ways you can make your environmental contributions felt. If you’d like to join millions of others in the fight for Mother Earth, consider one of the most popular gifts given back to the world each year: planting a tree. Consider these tips to properly plant a tree in your own yard.
Choose the Right Tree and Location
Depending on where you live and your desired outcome, choosing the right tree and planting location are critical factors. Larger shade trees help cool homes in warmer climates, evergreens provide privacy and fruit trees offer a grocery store right in your backyard. Consider your available space along with conditions that will impact the tree itself, such as soil conditions, sun exposure, drainage and more.
Dig Safely
Before digging, remember that proper tree placement requires factoring in underground utility lines, overhead power lines and proximity to sidewalks, driveways and homes. Dial 811, the national call-before-you-dig number, to locate underground utilities and consider contacting an arborist or tree care professional to make sure you’ve weighed all the important factors.
Break Ground
Dig a hole that’s roughly 2-3 times wider than the root ball of your tree and equally as deep as the root ball. Be sure the trunk flare (where the trunk expands at the base of the tree) is partially visible when planted. Remove any wrapping or cover from the root ball and trunk. Lift from the root ball, not the trunk, to place in the hole then straighten vertically and firmly backfill soil around the root ball to stabilize.
Add Mulch
Mulching helps maintain moisture and improve soil conditions while controlling weed growth. Place a 2-3-inch layer in a 3-foot radius around the base of the tree without touching the trunk itself.
Keep Soil Moist
Make sure your tree has enough water to grow strong by keeping the soil moist. Typically, this means watering just once per week, barring rain, but may require more frequency during especially hot weather.
Find more tips for giving back to Mother Earth at eLivingtoday.com.
34 Fox Vale Lane
Nashville, TN 37221
4 Beds | 4/1 Baths
5,842 SqFt. | 4 car garage
Located in Williamson County!
Fifteen acres fenced and cross-fenced. Elevator available to all three floors. Master is on the main level. Generac generator. Total yard irrigation system with well water. Beautiful view and great location.
Must See!
Co-listed with Cindy Garvey
9450 Chesapeake Drive
4 Beds | 2/1 Baths
3,377 SqFt. | 2 car garage
BEST of SHOW in Parade of Homes
Timeless custom designed open floor plan on one level! Magnificent Private Master Suite with entry to Music Room. Spacious master bath with designer closet. Sunny and bright in all rooms. Corner lot with huge backyard patio. Wonderful HOA amenities including clubhouse and pool and tennis courts.
