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Pro Spotlight: How to Create Your Dream Outdoor Space
A Monkton landscape design professional shares his tips for cultivating an irresistible backyard
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Who: Nathan Boliek of TDH Landscaping
Where: Monkton, Maryland
In his own words: “I love meeting all different types of people with all different types of styles and then realizing their goals with innovative ideas we put into action.”
In Maryland, the relatively mild climate lets you spend time outdoors much of the year. “Whether it’s spring with colors and perfume, or the heat of the summer months, or the fall as geese fly overhead and temperatures chill, people want to be outside,” says Nathan Boliek, design manager at TDH Landscaping in Monkton.
So let your ideas blossom when thinking about your new landscape. That might mean a hot tub for stargazing, a pool for long, lazy summer swim parties or an outdoor kitchen that weathers all storms. As Boliek says, “It’s all about making functional and enjoyable spaces that you want to be in.”
Where: Monkton, Maryland
In his own words: “I love meeting all different types of people with all different types of styles and then realizing their goals with innovative ideas we put into action.”
In Maryland, the relatively mild climate lets you spend time outdoors much of the year. “Whether it’s spring with colors and perfume, or the heat of the summer months, or the fall as geese fly overhead and temperatures chill, people want to be outside,” says Nathan Boliek, design manager at TDH Landscaping in Monkton.
So let your ideas blossom when thinking about your new landscape. That might mean a hot tub for stargazing, a pool for long, lazy summer swim parties or an outdoor kitchen that weathers all storms. As Boliek says, “It’s all about making functional and enjoyable spaces that you want to be in.”
Planting the seeds early. Working on his grandparents’ farms as a child, Boliek grew up gardening and canning with his family. “The love of plants was profound with my parents and grandparents, so it’s always been front and center in my life,” he says. He worked for a garden center as a teenager before diving headfirst into landscape design as an adult.
A customized approach. Topography, orientation, square footage and house style all matter to Boliek when creating an outdoor living space. “What works for one client might not work for another,” he says. “We find out what the customer wants, as well as what the site and home dictate, then we find a design that includes both function and aesthetics.”
Ready to create a fantastic backyard? Boliek shares his tips below.
Ready to create a fantastic backyard? Boliek shares his tips below.
1. Determine Your Needs
Think about how you will use your outdoor areas. Do you want an intimate space where you can enjoy a glass of wine by a fire pit or would you prefer a summer hangout where family and friends can swim? “That will define the type of space you are looking for,” Boliek says.
His team created multiple outdoor areas to accommodate an extra-large extended family at this Pylesville home. An outdoor kitchen seats eight at the bar and includes a 54-inch grill. Up to 14 people can comfortably lounge around the fire pit in the winter, and a picnic table under the shade of the porch lets people eat summer lunches without getting sunburned.
See more of this project
Think about how you will use your outdoor areas. Do you want an intimate space where you can enjoy a glass of wine by a fire pit or would you prefer a summer hangout where family and friends can swim? “That will define the type of space you are looking for,” Boliek says.
His team created multiple outdoor areas to accommodate an extra-large extended family at this Pylesville home. An outdoor kitchen seats eight at the bar and includes a 54-inch grill. Up to 14 people can comfortably lounge around the fire pit in the winter, and a picnic table under the shade of the porch lets people eat summer lunches without getting sunburned.
See more of this project
2. Make Your Dreams Known
Tell your landscape designer everything on your wish list. “Don’t hold back,” Boliek says. “Think about all the bells and whistles you’d love.” A designer can help determine which items are possible and how to accommodate them.
In this Owings Mills backyard, Boliek used clever design to fulfill everything on a young family’s wish list. On the flat site, the team increased elevation to add a waterslide that slips into a generously sized pool for warm-weather fun. The husband hoped aloud for a basketball court, which Boliek then built into the driveway’s curves. An outdoor fireplace glows year-round, clad in stone that matches the main house.
See more of this project
Tell your landscape designer everything on your wish list. “Don’t hold back,” Boliek says. “Think about all the bells and whistles you’d love.” A designer can help determine which items are possible and how to accommodate them.
In this Owings Mills backyard, Boliek used clever design to fulfill everything on a young family’s wish list. On the flat site, the team increased elevation to add a waterslide that slips into a generously sized pool for warm-weather fun. The husband hoped aloud for a basketball court, which Boliek then built into the driveway’s curves. An outdoor fireplace glows year-round, clad in stone that matches the main house.
See more of this project
3. Consider Your Budget
Money does matter, but smart decisions can save you money and keep your wish list intact. Think about what really matters — then compromise elsewhere. Instead of a built-in fireplace, for instance, a portable fire pit is a more cost-effective option, Boliek says. Or choose a basic gray paver for a sleek look without the added cost of an unusual hue.
A tinkling summer water feature was included in this Baltimore rooftop project, but its smaller size kept costs down. A built-in kitchen uses the same materials as the planters that hold spring veggies and blooms.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Nathan Boliek and examples of his work, visit TDH Landscaping’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Money does matter, but smart decisions can save you money and keep your wish list intact. Think about what really matters — then compromise elsewhere. Instead of a built-in fireplace, for instance, a portable fire pit is a more cost-effective option, Boliek says. Or choose a basic gray paver for a sleek look without the added cost of an unusual hue.
A tinkling summer water feature was included in this Baltimore rooftop project, but its smaller size kept costs down. A built-in kitchen uses the same materials as the planters that hold spring veggies and blooms.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Nathan Boliek and examples of his work, visit TDH Landscaping’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
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