Cary, NC · 2024

The Sycamore Terrace

Stone patio with fire pit & built-in bench seating

The Story

The Sycamore homeowners wanted a multi-use patio — daytime dining and nighttime fire pit gatherings in the same space. We designed a circular stone patio with a central gas fire pit and a curved bench that doubles as a retaining wall along the garden edge.

The Challenge

Combining a fire pit with a dining area in a single space requires careful layout planning. The fire needs clearance from furniture, the bench needs to be far enough from the flames, and the patio needs to flow for both uses.

Our Solution

We used concentric zones: the fire pit at center, the bench at a 6-foot radius (comfortable warmth, no scorching), and the dining set on a rectangular extension beyond the circle. Each zone has its own purpose but connects naturally.

4 weeks

Build Time

22×18 ft

Patio Size

Fire Pit + Bench + Patio

Features

450 sq ft

Total Area

Construction Timeline

From ground to glory.

Site Assessment

A grassy backyard with a slight slope and no outdoor living features. The homeowners needed a space that works for both family dinners and fire pit nights.

Excavation & Gas Line

Circular patio area excavated and leveled, with the rectangular dining extension graded to match. Gas line trenched from the house to the fire pit center.

Base & Bench Footing

Compacted aggregate base for the patio. Concrete footing poured for the curved stone bench, which also serves as a retaining wall along the garden edge.

Stone Patio & Fire Pit

Natural flagstone laid in a circular pattern radiating from the fire pit. The gas fire pit column built from matching stone with a stainless steel burner.