Exiting the rear french doors of this historic Hinsdale home, the owners can now enjoy an evening overlooking their garden on this bluestone lounge patio. With a 5ft change in elevation, the renovated exterior space required a series of terraces to transition from the patio down to the driveway. The patio and walls were designed with a symmetrical balance and circulation in mind. Complex, multi-level concrete foundation walls ensure this raised patio will never settle. Newly configured masonry steps now provide a welcoming entry walk into their house from their garage. One key design feature was to minimize the view of hardscapes from the rear yard; this was achieved through layering dwarf shrubs and perennials within the masonry walls, and transitioning to fieldstone boulders on the eastern edge of the space. A key feature the owners requested was a place to garden. The eastern side of the space features a dedicated herb and vegetable raised planter, surrounded in perennials and crushed bluestone chip. Smooth faced brick veneer on the masonry walls was selected as a close match to the original house brick from the 1920’s. Low voltage lighting fixtures were incorporated throughout the planting beds and under the stair treads to allow the owners to use the patio after dark. Centered on the upper masonry wall rests a low bowl fiberglass planter for a stunning center piece of annual flowers. The planter is plumbed for drainage and irrigation. One existing crabapple was thoughtfully preserved and incorporated in the new wall construction. The transformation from before to after on this rear yard renovation is truly a custom home make-over, one for the owners to enjoy for a lifetime.