Woodland River Retreat

A sloped, messy yard has first-time homeowners baffled, until Matt Blashaw offers to help them take advantage of the built-in elevation. Matt shows the outdoorsy couple how to terrace their muddy hillside, and use the slope to create a backyard river, waterfall and fishpond that can all be regulated by remote control. A do-it-yourself footbridge establishes an attractive walkway across the river. Flagstone pathways lead to new areas for outdoor seating. A series of easy-to-install stone walls creates new space for gravel patios, a sunken campfire pit, a natural stone bench, and pine forest plantings. Together, Matt and the homeowners transform a pile of reclaimed barn wood into a gorgeous chevron dining table, complete with gabion legs that they fill with river rock.