Hi Kherrin1, thanks for the question. The answer is that we use both, but most of the time, we specify real stone. If a homeowner has a lot of cultured stone (or similar manufactured product) as a cladding on their home, we may specify that the fire pit includes the same product to tie materials together across the site. Most of the time though, we can find a great natural stone that can carry it's own corner of the yard or create enough of a focal point, that we find it ok to introduce a new texture to the space. Hope this helps. Also, please follow our page to see new backyard resort living photos & other examples of masonry on our projects!

Thank you! I appreciate it! I will look at your new photos --your projects are really beautiful!

HI! Lovely landscape by the way. Say. What is the plant material that is central and in the far back? Is it some older Rhododendrons....or is it a vine of some sort on a trellis....thanks!