For years, our backyard was the neighborhood embarrassment—a patchy lawn with a splintered, 1990s-era deck that had become more of a hazard than a hangout. We knew we wanted to upgrade, but every design idea felt either too extravagant or too bland. Then, during a late-night scrolling session, I discovered Dominion Custom Decks' project gallery, and everything changed.
What started as casual browsing turned into a full-blown inspiration session. Suddenly, I saw possibilities I’d never considered: multi-level decks with built-in planters, curved seating walls, even under-deck storage for all our gardening clutter. Most importantly, I realized our "impossible" sloped yard wasn’t a limitation—it was an opportunity.
Here’s how a local company’s portfolio helped us reimagine our space and create a backyard we actually love.
The "Before" Disaster
Let’s be honest: Our old deck was a lost cause.
Safety Issues: Railings wobbled like a loose tooth.
Wasted Space: A bulky staircase ate up half the yard.
Maintenance Nightmare: Annual staining, warped boards, and carpenter bees had won the battle.
We’d considered a simple replacement—same size, same layout—until we saw Dominion’s gallery. One photo stopped me cold: a Bristow home with a near-identical lot shape to ours, featuring a two-tiered deck that turned their slope into a feature, not a flaw.
Lightbulb Moments from the Gallery
Dominion’s project photos weren’t just pretty—they were educational. Here’s what stood out:
The "Floating" Bench Trick
A deck in Braemar used built-in seating to eliminate the need for railings on one side, making the space feel larger.
Our takeaway: We replicated this, saving $1,200 on railing costs.
Under-Deck Drainage Systems
Photos showed how a cleverly sloped frame could create dry storage underneath.
Our solution: Now our lawn chairs and grill stay protected without a shed.
Material Mixing
Composite decking paired with stone pillars gave a high-end look we could afford in sections.
Most surprising? Many featured homes were in our exact neighborhood, proving our mid-range budget could achieve magazine-worthy results.
Working with the Land, Not Against It
Our yard’s 3-foot slope had always felt like a curse. But Dominion’s team saw potential:
Upper Level: Dining area right off the kitchen
Lower Level: Fire pit zone with retaining wall seating
Transition: Wide, gradual stairs that doubled as impromptu seating
They even incorporated our existing oak tree into the design by framing the deck around it—a move that saved us $800 in tree removal costs.
The Budget Reality Check
Here’s how we stretched our $25k budget:
| Splurge | Save |
|---|---|
| High-end composite flooring | Standard (not hidden) fasteners |
| Custom curved bench | DIY stain on the wood retaining wall |
| LED stair lighting | Basic (HOA-approved) railings |
Dominion’s estimator provided a priority list, helping us allocate funds where they’d have the most visual impact.
The "After" Life
Six months post-install, our deck has become:
The kids’ domain (no splinters = barefoot summers)
Our WFH escape (that built-in bench fits a laptop perfectly)
The unofficial neighborhood happy hour spot
The best compliment? When our next-door neighbor—who’d endured our old deck’s eyesore for years—asked for Dominion’s contact info.
Conclusion
Before-and-after galleries often feel unrealistic, but Dominion’s Bristow portfolio proved transformative because it featured real local homes with relatable challenges. Their designs respected our budget while pushing creative boundaries we didn’t know existed.
To anyone stuck in deck-planning paralysis: Spend an evening browsing local projects. You’ll quickly see what works for our climate, neighborhoods, and lifestyles—and what will make your backyard the place everyone wants to be.
Tags: #DeckDesign #BristowHomes #BackyardMakeover #OutdoorLiving #HomeRenovation
No comments:
Post a Comment