When I visited Annabella for the first time, I could tell she had a real artistic flair. Her inside art work and plants were large statements of color and texture which reminded me of Southwest art.

We were trying to add the same feel with new plantings in her back yard. As we talked, I kept feeling pressed for space while standing on her aggregate terrace.

That’s when we came up with the idea of mirroring the existing shape and curve. She selected a beautiful “Golden Sunset stone”.

Our stone masons widened the terrace by digging a concrete footer and cutting and placing block to mirror the existing curve.   Each stone was then cut and mortared on top of the block to fit perfectly.   It really “classed up” the aggregate to a one-of – a kind- stone feature.

We were able to expand her terrace and also have money also to buy the trees, shrubs and perennials for her surrounding beds.

Christie lives in Manakin Sabot , Virginia where she manages a 3 acre garden. Her blogs are written from her 35 years as a personal and professional gardener.