The walkout side of the Fires home is a little too visible from an adjacent street to be left alone.  The two story home with a basement created such a tall, blank wall in the back that it needed softening.  We suggested a small pergola over a stone patio that not only helps scale the blank wall down from the side and back views, but provides an intimate space for coffee and conversation.  A pondless waterfall helps break up the necessary retaining wall and gives a gentle background noise to the space.