HARDSCAPE   PROJECTS  &  STORIES

A properly built water feature is designed to run year-round. But even when it stays on through the winter, it doesn’t come out of the season untouched. Organic debris settles in. Fine sediment builds up. Pumps and filtration systems continue working, but not always at peak efficiency. As temperatures rise, those underlying issues start to show—reduced clarity, slower flow, and early algae growth. Spring is the time to correct that. A professional clean-out removes accumulat

Retaining walls are built to hold back enormous weight. When constructed properly, they can last for decades. When built without proper drainage, they can fail in the first year. In most cases, retaining walls do not fail because the blocks or stone are weak. They fail because water builds up behind the wall and creates pressure that the structure was never designed to hold. Understanding how water affects a retaining wall is the key to building one that lasts. The Real Cause

After nearly three decades working in outdoor construction — and sixteen years operating Hardscapes By Design — one thing becomes clear: In the Pacific Northwest, what determines success isn’t style, it’s structure. This region exposes weaknesses quickly. Poor base preparation, improper drainage, and rushed installation methods don’t hold up under long wet seasons and freeze-thaw cycles. Experience doesn’t just add years. It refines standards. Here are a few principles that g

The goal of this project was to upgrade the aggregate patio. The concrete step at the back door had sunk almost 3" and the patchwork mix of

At Hardscapes By Design, we do everything from large water features to pot fountains for smaller spaces. Most tradtional pottery pots can b