Entry #123, June 26, 2010

Here we are, already at D.I.Y. Saturday #6 and next weekend is the 4th of July holiday.  Are you planning on having guests over? Even if it’s just going to be you and the family watching fireworks from the backyard, how does the backyard look?  For most of us, by time we get to July the outdoors are looking hot and sticky and we want to cool down!

I was watching DIY Network’s – Yard Crashers last weekend and saw an amazing outdoor water feature installed in the backyard. Water features and waterfalls are naturally soothing to listen to, watch and occasionally dip our fingers into. Have you ever thought of installing one yourself? Here’s some inspirational outdoor water features, plus a YouTube video clip from Yard Crashers.

By the way – I’m still waiting to see Ahmed Hassan (Host of the Yard Crashers) in my local home improvement store. Instead of looking like those homeowners who have no idea who he is, I’m going to already have my landscaping plan in my car!  When I see him ‘wandering’ around my Lowe’s store, I’m going to casually say, ‘Man I  could really use some help at my house!” I’ll let you know when DIY is coming to my backyard…. until then Outdoor Water Feature inspiration.

Water features can be large or small, loud or soothing. Look at this serene one from B. Bissell Landscapes.

Beautiful water feature with stone and tile

Incorporate your water feature into your pool. Photo courtesy of Spaced.

This pool with integral water feature is a complete oasis

I would literally live outside all day with this wall water feature. Photo courtesy of In Harmony

Serenity now….

So how do you get started? Visit DIY – ‘How to Design an Outdoor Waterfall’ to see the steps and product needed. A few weekends is recommended for these projects.

Click on the links below to see how to do each step:

• Create a Layout
• Create a Pond Shape
• Place the Filters
• Dig the Pond
• Level the Filter
• Install the Underlayment
• Place the Stones
• Arrange the Stones

Take a look at this Yard Crashers episode when they transform a homeowner’s backyard with a waterfall feature.

For more Stagetecture – D.I.Y. Saturday’s click here, and check back every Saturday throughout the summer!