Knightdale, NC · 2024
The Kingsley Courtyard
Pergola with paver patio & outdoor living area
The Story
The Kingsley family wanted a structured outdoor room — not just a patio, but a defined space with a pergola, dining area, and lounge zone. We designed a paver courtyard with a cedar pergola that creates a true outdoor living room.
The Challenge
The yard sloped away from the house at nearly 5%, which would make a flat patio feel disconnected. The pergola also needed to clear existing gutters and roof lines.
Our Solution
We built a two-tier patio with a 6-inch step between dining and lounge zones, using the natural slope to create distinct areas. The pergola was designed with an offset attachment to clear the roof overhang.
5 weeks
Build Time
28×20 ft
Patio Size
Pergola + Patio + Dining
Features
560 sq ft
Total Area
Construction Timeline
From ground to glory.
Site Assessment
A sloping backyard with worn grass and no defined outdoor living space. The homeowners wanted a structured room that felt like an extension of their home.
Excavation & Grading
Cut-and-fill grading to create two level tiers. A small retaining lip separates the upper dining zone from the lower lounge area.
Base & Drainage
Compacted aggregate base with a built-in drainage channel between the two tiers. Edge restraints set along the perimeter.
Paver Installation
Tumbled paver stones laid in a herringbone pattern. The step between tiers finished with a contrasting bullnose paver for visibility and style.
Pergola Construction
Cedar pergola posts anchored to concrete footings. Beams, rafters, and cross-slats installed with stainless steel hardware. Stained to match the home's trim.
Furniture & Lighting
Outdoor dining set on the upper tier, lounge seating below. String lights across the pergola, pathway lighting along the edges, and planter boxes with seasonal flowers.
Final Reveal
Two-tier patio glowing under the pergola lights, dinner table set, lounge cushions out. The Kingsley Courtyard is the outdoor room they always wanted.
The Transformation
Before & After
BeforeAfter
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