Creating a stone paver patio with an overhead cedar pergola and surrounding plantings off the living room windows, screened porch, and existing deck were surprisingly the easiest parts of installing this project. The primary challenge was managing the stormwater drainage issues presented by the site's heavy clay soils and sunken "bowl-like" topography. The solution was to entirely regrade the rear yard and install a herringbone perforated draintile system (6" diameter) which also tied in all of the existing rear downspouts to directly release all runoff into a sunken rain garden area planted with native, moisture-tolerant perennials and grasses.