GARDENS Hidden Sanctuary

By Kirsten E. Silven Photography by Walt Roycraft

The garden and outdoor living areas surrounding Chastity and Michael Day’s home include three natural stone patios and a pleasing array of carefully-selected plantings, combined with impressive boulders and a striking fireplace, all handcrafted from Cane Ridge Kentucky limestone.

Situated in northern Madison County, Kentucky, just over the Fayette County line, the home’s backyard offerings were not always so generous. In fact, when the couple decided to bring in Landscape Designer Randy Sparks of Sparks Enterprises, the space was comprised of little more than a steep hillside, rendering it basically unusable.

“We have a detached garage with a party room in its lower level where we like to spend time relaxing with friends and family,” shared Michael. “So we wanted to expand that recreational space and create an extended outdoor entertainment area.”

They originally had a firepit in mind, but once Randy showed Chastity and Michael his plan for two levels of natural stone patios and hardscape, with ample room for seating and a custom stone fireplace, they knew it was the right move.

“I worked with Charles Dewar to transform the existing hillside into an outdoor sanctuary that is large enough for everyone to come over and enjoy spending time together,” Randy shared.

1 This view of the handcrafted limestone fireplace and outdoor seating area gives a glimpse of the sloping lot that Randy Sparks of Sparks Enterprises was working with when they began this project, which has a remarkable and distinctly organic design. Plantings visible here include Blue Atlas cedar, Hameln grass, rainbow leucothoe, yellow daisies and oak leaf hydrangea.

“We also made sure that both the natural stone hardscape and plantings would complement the warmer tones of the existing brick on the home and garage, and took steps to ensure the plantings would provide a variety of seasonal color and texture.”

The finished party room (not pictured) is complete a television and stereo, while the adjacent outdoor spaces also offer plenty of privacy, making this the perfect getaway spot for friends in the neighborhood to come over and unwind on weekends and holidays.

“We’ve also had family pictures taken there and even held a few small events, like birthdays and graduation parties,” Chastity said. “And we were so glad to have it during COVID!”

Phase one of the project - which included the two patios, fireplace and surrounding hardscape as well as the majority of plantings - was finished in 2019. Phase two was completed later, adding the third stone patio under a deck behind the house (not pictured), along with a pathway of natural stepping stones to connect the home with the new outdoor living spaces behind the garage.

In the end, careful planning and skilled craftsmanship created something wonderful - a true functional work of art - out of what had been a totally unusable area, giving the Day family a special place to enjoy time at home and create cherished memories with friends and loved ones.

2 The expansive outdoor living and entertaining area boasts a rustic yet refined vibe, with a gorgeous natural stone patio overlooking the entire space. Cane Ridge Kentucky limestone was used for the boulders, retaining walls and custom fireplace, which is a true work of art in itself that was painstakingly handcrafted by Charles Dewar using pieces of scrap rock. A Blue Atlas cedar and several hostas are also visible here, along with both Little Lime and Little Quick Fire hydrangeas, while Hameln grass and heritage river birch trees add privacy and give the garden a woodsy feel.

3 Looking back toward the lower-level of the home’s detached garage, on the other side of the door is a nicely appointed party room that has become a favorite gathering spot for friends, family and neighbors. The natural stone patio and Cane Ridge Kentucky limestone boulders work to ground the space, while the gentle curves of the design lend the garden an elemental feel. Plantings here include Blue Atlas cedar, rainbow leucothoe, Little Lime and Little Quick Fire hydrangeas, along with heritage birch and Prague juniper.

4 Cane Ridge Kentucky limestone boulders create a momentous retaining wall, while stepping stones connect the two patios and fireplace area behind the detached garage with a third patio (not pictured) that is located under a deck behind the main house. Everlow taxus and Little Quick Fire hydrangea are visible here.

5 A glorious 12-foot Nordmann fir is perfectly positioned in a gently raised garden bed to give the landscaping a level appearance despite a sloping yard. Limestone boulders from Cane Ridge Kentucky, catmint and abundant Vanilla Strawberry hydrangeas complete the look.

8 The robust Vanilla Strawberry hydrangeas seen here in the foreground provide seasonal color and were also selected—along with the Cane Ridge Kentucky limestone hardscape—to complement the home’s brick, which features warmer tones.

9 Two laid-back Adirondack chairs provide a carefree spot to relax on the upper patio, which lies behind a detached garage and overlooks the gently sloping hillside and custom outdoor fireplace situated on a lower patio. Little Lime and Little Quick Fire hydrangeas, along with heritage river birch trees can be seen here.

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