Typically, this blog is about Erica's clients' homes and the dream projects Erica helps create for them. However, this post is more personal; it's about Erica and her husband Chris' own home and their patio design, which has been selected as a featured garden on the Shawnee Garden Tour '23. Keep reading about how the process has developed over the years.

upgrading property and lifestyle

In 2009, Erica and Chris moved into their starter home, two years before Erica opened her own business, Erica Kay Interior Design, at the age of 24. At the time, the young couple thought they would only stay here for a maximum of five years, but they fell in love with their home, the community, and the proximity benefits that Roeland Park offers. They have essentially redesigned every inch of their home and property to maximize its potential, including their incredible patio. Redesigning the patio had been on their bucket list for many years, and the two had gathered many design examples and inspiration over the years. However, it wasn't until the global pandemic hit in 2020 that they decided to finally do it; now was the time. Stuck at home with their three-year-old, Lily, they began to chip away at their master plan.

Erica Kay Design's Home Patio — Thowe Patio as of June 2023

The Grand design concept

The main objective of the design was to create maximum space between four main structures: their home, detached garage, front walkway, and northern neighbor's fence/property line. The owners desired a fence that would provide privacy without looking too imposing. They also wanted a spacious patio area with seating, a fire pit, and an outdoor dining table accommodating six people. To add a finishing touch, they planned to connect the two structures with three overhead beams to give the illusion of a comfortable ceiling. Additionally, they opted for a practical concrete floor and refrained from using stamped and stained concrete due to the added cost.

Chris and Erica were inspired to create a unique fence design for their patio after consulting with a former landscape architect friend. The friend suggested placing the fence in the middle of a raised bed and adding plants on either side to soften its appearance. Additionally, Chris and Erica were drawn to a rusted corten steel fence they saw during a trip to Austin. To complete the patio's entrance, Erica came up with the idea of using two corten steel boxes to store firewood for the fire pit.

The DIY process

First and foremost, as with any great design, Chris and Erica gathered design inspiration, and estimates, sourced contractors, and created a budget. They knew that this would be a labor of love and that it wouldn't be completed overnight, but rather would take years. While both Chris and Erica are handy, they outsourced tree removal, plumbing, concrete, electrical, carpentry, and their metal fence. The tasks they accomplished themselves included design planning, subcontractor sourcing, soil placement, plant sourcing and planting, wood staining, and fence patina/sealing.

Nominated for the Shawnee Garden Tour

Last year, their beloved neighbor, Ms. Kate, a member of the Shawnee Garden Club, nominated Chris and Erica's incredible outdoor landscaping to be on the 2023 Shawnee Garden Club tour, and they were selected. The 2023 tour is scheduled to take place on June 10, 2023, and they are both thrilled to showcase their space.

Here’s a link to Shawnee Magazine featuring their patio.

see the dramatic before and after photos – Slider

After Thowe Patio

Before Thowe Patio

Here’s a timeline of events that transpired during this long dream come true.

Prior to 2020, two trees were removed. A giant walnut tree located behind the garage was cut down due to the number of walnuts it dropped on the property, including their outdoor living space, which at the time was a small deck. Second was a small, volunteer maple tree that was spindly and growing into the power lines.

Additionally, the wood siding on the exterior of the house was the best design solution to cover up some poor siding work done by a previous owner. The horizontal, organically stacked, dark-stained wood complemented the couple's new paint scheme, which was chosen to blend in more with nature.

The old deck and its demolition — July 2020

Plumbing, electrical and concrete INSTALLATION — August 2020

Chris and Erica were sure to have proper electrical and water supply below the concrete for future needs since there is a detached garage on the other side of the patio and an east yard with no water access.

Carpentry, fence staining, and first planting — September & October 2020

At this point, it was a race to beat winter. The project was a bit behind schedule with concrete taking longer than expected, and the goal was to have the north bed planted before the hard freezes in late fall.

Fence Weathering, Raised bed staining, and planting — April 2021

The Corten steel was intentionally weathered and then sealed to prevent further weathering. Here’s a pretty easy method that was used using common and safe household items. All plants were meticulously selected by Chris and Erica and planted by the couple as well.

First full season — 2022

This was the spring everything came in strong and began to mature. Chris and Erica were able to finally sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labor and enjoy many new memories with friends and family.

The Shawnee Garden Tour — 2023

Nearly three years later from the summer of 2020, the patio is complete… well almost. You can find Chris & Erica outside most days in the yard and on the patio, enjoying, working, maintaining, propagating plants, etc. It truly has been a labor of love for Chris and Erica and it’s a pleasure sharing it with their friends, family and neighbors.