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Pit Planning

OUR 2nd HOUSE

The dreams we have for our back yard are not big.  they are not huge.  they are EPIC.  The dreams we have for our back yard are on a different level.  They are borderline obscene.  We want a do-it-all, have-it-all kinda yard.  We want a yard that makes us never want to leave. 

A few of you who have been around for a long time know that we like our house features, we like our space inside, and we like our neighborhood….but the real hearthrob of this property is the lot.  It is what sold us this house.  It is what we fell in love with.  It is our dream.   It is exactly where we want our family to grow.

Our lot has a big back yard that is relatively flat (a rare find in Atlanta suburbs) with a large private grassy area and wooded area behind that and has a creek in the back.  It has the space we would need for a future pool and a spot for gardens and a chicken coop and a tennis court that was perfect for hosting my sister’s outdoor wedding.  It is everything that we ever dreamed about.  The only thing that we would ever consider leaving for would be lake front property….which is not really affordable in our state that only boasts man-made lakes.  So this is literally the best thing we could get without playing Powerball or robbing a local branch of Wells Fargo. 

One of the big things we want in our yard is a fire pit.  Jeremy’s dad has one (you can see it here) and it is such a fun gathering place.  So we decided last year that it would be time for us to jump on the fire-pit-bandwagon.  But with any backyard project, especially ones with semi-permanent fixtures like a built in fire pit, we knew that a fair amount of planning would benefit us. 

The best location in our yard was the space between the retaining wall and the deck/patio.  This is also the septic tank field so we would never be able to put a pool or deck over this area…just in case the tank ever needed a future pumping. 

Our fire pit wouldn’t be huge…a family size pit if you will…..and Jer’s dad gave us a large fire ring.  It’s roughly about the size of one of the large fire bowls you buy at Home Depot or Lowe’s…the ones you put on a patio for roasting marshmallows.  And Jeremy also got a grate in case we wanted to host a future weenie-roast with boy scouts.  That sounds weird. 

We had a grand time digging out the location and installing it…

Yes, I was eleven days overdue with Weston when I was digging.  It did not induce labor…to much dismay.   

Just to spoil the surprise, our end result is this beauty:

But this post isn’t about the fire pit-how-to….this is about how we planned for a fire pit. 

Seeing as how a fire-pit usually will contain, well, FIRE…it’s important that your pit is far enough away from your house that you have clearance for the heat.  You never ever want it to be in a covered area either….unless you want said covered area materials to be kindling.   A lot of areas will not even allow fire pits – especially neighborhoods with covenants or regulations, so make sure you double check your codes.  Also, different counties and districts have rules about how close your fire pit can be to your house.    

In the area of safety first, we read that most pits should be at least 10 feet away from combustible materials…and we decided ten feet would be really too close to our house for comfort.  So we chose that roughly 20 feet would be a better fit.  Not only would it be farther from the house but it would still be close enough to use our 25 hose to wet things down.  So in order to get our perfect layout, I sketched up our backyard area…

Then I took it to our home copier/printer/scanner and ran off several copies.  This gives me some options for drawing up ideas.  Remember when I said that I like to show Jeremy pictures when trying to convince him of a project?  Well, when there are no pictures to show, I make my own 🙂  Here are the three options I drew: 

All three options had similar functions…block the A/C unit from open view, allow a walkway to the patio and to the basement workroom doors, and give us a more plants and greenery to cover up some of that crazy retaining wall. 

I think planning out plants, locations and future structures (all three options above have a wall of sorts that we would build) with a layout is one of the easiest ways to know exactly your cost, your plan of attack and your timeline. 

And it keeps the boyfriend happy… 

So how do you plan for outdoor projects?  Do you sketch up your plan or just wing it?  Or maybe you like to go to the plant nursery first and then plan around the plants you like?  Or perhaps you are the live and learn type with char marks on your house?  Not that we ever had that happen to us…

p.s.  I’m in the running for Circle of Mom’s Top home design moms!  AHH!  If you are bored and have nothing better to do right now, I’d basically love you forever for voting for me!   Click here (and thanks and smooches.)

p.p.s.  More importantly than any little contest…we are sending love and prayers to the folks in Boston…including the first responders, volunteers, residents of Boston and those injured or loved ones of someone hurt or killed.  What a tragedy.  I have only heard that they are asking for any photos or videos from those there yesterday…anyone else know how folks can help?!  Put it in the comments 🙂

 

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  1. After many, many years of studying landscape design and competing on teams, I am a landscape planner obsessed with graph paper. I’ve never been good about judging the sizes of things as they relate to other things, so the lines and squares make it much easier for me to get everything to scale. Not only that, but I couldn’t draw a straight line longer than 2 inches to save my soul, so it is especially handy.

  2. My hubby and I have been talking about a fire pit for over a year. This is perfect motivation to help us get our butts in gear!

  3. I know that the Boston area blood banks are full right now, but I say wherever you are donate blood. And go for a run! (Maybe not right after you’ve given blood though!) Running is joyful and it unites people. Its about achievement and self improvement. We should never have to be afraid to do something so positive.

    And… love your fire pit Katie! We’re big pyros in my family and I’d love to have the space for such a large pit (not that a small yard yard keeps us from having big fires!) Enjoy!

  5. Re: Boston – there is a Social Media movement to have as many people as possible run/walk/crawl at least a mile today in honor of everyone in Boston. Someone (VO2 the Max on FB) created a commerative race bib for the cause as well. I’m a runner, and this one feels like a sucker-punch to the gut right now.

  7. My husband would be drooling over all your backyard space and the fire pit if he saw this! Large backyards are hard to come by in our town without spending a lot of $$$, but it’s on our dream home wish list! I can’t wait to see the whole finished area…and maybe save a picture of it to show my hubby when the time comes 🙂

    I voted!!

  9. Not trying to hit on Jeremy or anything but that is a heart melting picture of a manly man showing his soft side by placing his hand on his son’s head. I know you know it, but you’re one luckly lady Katie Bower.

  10. If you are in or around the Boston area: Please donate blood! They indicated on the local news last night that they were in OK shape at that point but they would soon be in need.

  11. I took pictures of my yard and then labeled them in Photoshop with how I want it to look… we’re on phase 2 of 4 this summer! haha

    I am from the Boston area…. there’s lots of blood drives going on that people are encouraged to go donate to, otherwise it is just sending in any pictures or videos from near the finish line so they can be examined. And try to stay out of the city if you can for the rest of the week.

  13. Ok, the first thing is that picture of Will with his daddy is just so stinking adorable. I mean, the hand on the head, Will holding onto his leg. This sounds weird coming from me, a complete stranger, but it just warms my heart! What a darling family you have! And a pretty great pit too!

  14. Hi Katie!
    I’m a landscape designer (and long time reader of your blog, one of my faves!) and I just wanted to tell you how impressed I was with your designs! Many of our clients have trouble even understanding plans, let alone creating one. Love all of the options! You totally did a fabulous job!! xo

  15. I love your scetches to convince The Boyfriend.

    I am the Queen of drawing plans in excel. I often times have multiple stetches with hopes that my husband will like at least one of the plans.

    Your fire pit looks awesome! I hope you and your boys having many nights around it roasting weenies. 😉 hee hee

  16. I read this article with some information on how you can help with the Boston tragedy.
    PS. Weiner roast comment…I laughed out loud…..at work.
    PSS. We are the “go to the plant nursery and see what they” have kinda folks.

  19. Hi Katie! This has nothing to do with your (awesome) post, but I wanted to tell you that I was on mypublisher.com today and one of your books is in the front page montage! “Will’s not so little book!” Kudos!

  21. Dannnnng that is a NICE firepit! We are making ours as we speak but it will be nothing like that 🙂 Our yard is basically a concrete jungle thanks to our pool (which I love, just wish I could see more green) so we are doing our best to make it cozy 🙂

  22. Number 1005, way To go KB:) and I just joined the run group for today, which I read in the comment section here, thanks for the tip. Can’t wait to go run for Boston…..

  27. aww thanks Vicky! I’m just a doodler…but even if we don’t stick to the plan, it helps to give visuals 🙂
    xo – kb

  29. We chose a combo…a variety of the simple one (the one with the least amount of plants) and the one with the screen things in front of the wall.
    xo – kb

  36. But…but…but which one did you pick?!? You can’t leave us hanging like that!!! Seriously, I am impressed with your planning. We’ve just kind of gone willy-nilly and plunked stuff where ever it fit…but we’re moving so may need to do better planning this next time around. Of course it is easier, in some ways, to get a blank slate. We had some much stuff already in, from a serious gardener, it was a bit overwhelming, I’ve not really been able to maintain what we have.

  37. The Hubby & I are trying to figure out a way to convert a small pond in our backyard into a fire pit….maybe by filling it with rock . Haven’t done enough research yet but this post makes me want to get on it.

    Planning on logging in my mile tonight at the gym..thanks for helping spread the word.

    XX

  39. I just looked at the link for the post about the fence and Jeremy’s dad is totally making the tongue-sticking-out concentration face that Will does. HAHA!

  40. Hi Katie. Loyal reader and Bostonian here. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers <3 we need them, and the overwhelming support means so much.

  43. Hey Katie,

    Just wanted to tell you that during a very difficult time (friend finished the race one minute before blast and three other friends were a minute from running right into the bombs) I had to come to your blog. You make me laugh every day. I love you like a best friend. I needed to be surrounded my someone who made me laugh so I didn’t cry all day.

    Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your life, humor and love with us every day.

    xo Melissa

  44. Hi Katie,
    I grew up in Connecticut, but have lived in Boston for seven years now. It hit close to home. I went to Northeastern University and saw on facebook that a couple girls from my sorority are making tee shirts to benefit the victims. All profits will be donated to the Red Cross. Here’s the link here. I’m not sure how shipping would work, but if you email me I will get you more information. If you’d like, you can check the link here: https://www.facebook.com/events/172641106226183/?ref=2
    -Kaitlin

  45. What a fun place to hang out! I’m jealous of all of your yard space–so incredible! And I know I’m the 1000th one to say it, but that picture of your hubby and Will is absolutely adorable! Just voted for your blog! Have a great week!

    ~Abby =)

  46. I’m sure you will get a million comments about being careful and I know that you take awesome care of your little men. I just wanted to make the obvious statement that it only takes a second for something to happen that can’t be reversed. My little Adaleine fell in a firepit last summer and will have scars all her life. Not to be a downer, because it really does look beautiful and would be such fun to have! Just from one ‘traumatized’ mom to you. 😉
    http://prettybittybugs.blogspot.com/2012/06/my-heart-hurts-for-my-little-sunshine.html

  52. Katie, after reading your linked post on Jeremy and his dad repairing the fire pit together – pic #9 of that post must be where Will gets his tongue-out-the-mouth-when-concentratin’ look from! 😀

  53. We built our own house out in the sticks and had a “utility fire pit” which is essential when you are clearing trees yourself. All the branches have to get dragged over and burned in a HUGE fire. Shortly after moving in, we re-did the fire pit to be slightly more attractive and sociable. Ours is very rustic and totally free and only took a few hours to put together.

    http://mattandallisonkelly.blogspot.com/2011/10/fire-ring.html
    This was before we planted grass.

  55. HI KB. I live 45 minutes outside of Boston and am a runner, so a tragedy like this is so painful. Anyone who has video, photos anything…EVEN if you dont think its usefull..PLEASE send them in. Lets make GOOD use of all the Facebook, Twitter fodder we fill our days with. Thank you KB for putting a reminder to everyone who reads your blog to go through their photos and video from the day.
    XOXO
    Lynn

  57. I am so jealous of your backyard! The fire pit looks great. We have a tiny backyard that only allows us to really grow a small herb garden. Are you planning on getting chickens (you mentioned a place for a chicken coop)? I really wish our HOA allowed chickens.

  58. Katie, I always wondered if you mentioned exactly how large your yard is? I know we are currently looking for our next home and I think my husband is getting sick of me saying I want something exactly like your house/yard setup 🙂

  60. Although I love this post and pits , er fire pits, I’m REALLY loving the new “Hi I’m Katie” little doo-dad in the upper corner of the blog. Totally cute and just fits into your blog so well. Love it!

  61. We want some hens…but we have to wait till next year at least. Too much on the plate right now 🙂
    xo – kb

  62. Hi Everyone,

    Our local blood banks are full thanks to the generosity of everyone. If you are living locally to the Boston area your best bet would be to go to a hospital directly to give blood.

    Other than that the next biggest thing victims will need is money to pay for all the medical expense relating to their injuries. The Mayor of Boston and Governor of Massachusetts have set up a charity where all the money will be going directly to victims.
    http://onefundboston.org/

    Also you can check out the blog post I wrote on how you can help.

    http://www.eastcoastwestcoaststyle.com/post/48204466558/boston-marathon

    Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

  65. Our lot is five acres but it’s weird shaped…so the front yard is long and skinny-ish and the back gets really wide.
    xo – kb

  67. Hi if I had so much land I would be planting fruit trees-like hundreds of them. There is nothing like having your own fruit in your backyard. And you know what they say “the best time to plant a fruit tree was 20 years ago. By the way I’m way jealous of the land you guys have-good luck with the backyard I’m sure whatever you do it will be great:)))

  68. Well, most of our lot is wooded…but we would love to have a couple. I think it might be hard for them to grow…like in the post, we have TONS of large rocks. But on the up side we have LOTS of local farmers that we support by buying local fruit…
    xo – kb

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