Artistry and Craftsmanship

Nina A. Koziol

It’s no surprise that fire features are popular. Those two miserable years that forced many people to work from home were a big boost for landscape contractors, especially when it came to patio renovations. Fire pits, fireplaces, fire bowls, fire tables — you name it — many homeowners sought them as hot commodities.

Here’s a look at 10 fire features that received ILCA’s new Artistry & Craftsmanship Award, which highlights the “Best in Show” for a specific landscape feature. (It’s part of ILCA’s Excellence in Landscape Awards.) This new category kicked off with a fire feature theme. Future categories will cover water, illumination, etc. Projects were judged on craftsmanship, use of material, scale, integration, overall fit with surroundings, placement, and creativity/artistry.

Topiarius’s “Game Day” and ILT Vignocchi’s “Itasca Property” tied for first place. All of these winners are sure to ignite some inspiration.

Picture watching football games outdoors —on top of a garage in Chicago. That’s what the clients wanted. The tight space unites a fire feature and the television. The wall melds with an aluminum pergola, galvanized steel framing, cement board cladding, blue cement tile and Schluter edging. A granite countertop and decorative panels add to the overall aesthetic.

A stone fireplace that would be “unique, different and charming” was a “must have” on the client’s wish list. No less than 50 variations were drawn before the final design was chosen! The stones’ angular lines are softened by carefully chosen boulders to provide the exact scale, shape and color needed. Each part of the fireplace is custom and unique and every stone fulfills the design specifications.

21283 IL Route 76 Poplar Grove, IL 61065

11228 East County Road X

Lorem Clinton, WI 53525 Salem, WI 7530 288th Avenue Salem, WI 53168 1-262-537-3326

It’s all about the details. Built from Chicago “common brick” to match the home, the uncommon fireplace sits four feet above grade and the conservancy behind it, requiring thoughtful engineering and construction. The fireplace’s bluestone shoulders, mantle and hearth unify design elements and echo the materials on the fountain and home.

The family enjoy hours of entertainment around this stone fire pit. The patio is Rosetta® Grand Flag Stone with Rosetta® Belvedere for the seat wall and fire pit. The seat wall allows for easy access and a place to share stories. The fire pit was sited so the parents could watch their kids on the swing set while they relaxed.

Elements in Harmony — Rosborough Partners, Inc.

The client wanted an outdoor fire pit to gather around on cool nights. To fit the proportions of the newly enlarged terrace and accommodate large gatherings, a nearly 7-foot-diameter fire pit was designed to take advantage of the spectacular views overlooking Lake Michigan. It was critical to match the existing patio area for a seamless look so as not to appear as an add-on feature. Lincolnshire Project — ILT Vignocchi

The clients wanted a fireplace and a TV. The custom fireplace with a large capstone has exterior stone matching the house. To get the curve in the limestone coping, a wood template was made and sent to the limestone manufacturer to get the perfect curve. The fireplace was built early in the project to allow a truck onto the site. Sleeving inside the fireplace houses electric and audio-visual connections.

Backyard Getaway — Premier Landscape Contractors, Inc.

This outdoor fireplace and pergola provide a space that invites year-round use. The elegant fireplace is a main focal point with its stone columns and matching veneer. Outdoor lighting complements the warm glow of the fire and provides for safety at night. The inviting space is a backyard getaway for the client.

Family Gathering at the Fireside — Bruss Landscaping, Inc.

The client wanted a new patio that would be an inviting retreat with a fire pit. A fire table used as dining table makes the most of the space. The stone walls match the home’s exterior. Subtle landscape lighting was added and the new patio offers a comfortable, inviting place to gather, relax and reconnect. Family Gathering at the Fireside — Bruss Landscaping, Inc.

The client wanted a new patio that would be an inviting retreat with a fire pit. A fire table used as dining table makes the most of the space. The stone walls match the home’s exterior. Subtle landscape lighting was added and the new patio offers a comfortable, inviting place to gather, relax and reconnect.

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Oasis Park — Pizzo and Associates, Ltd.

A regenerating prairie fire! This 20-acre farm field was converted to a rolling prairie that is burned each year. Burning opens the landscape, reduces invasive species and allows native plants to thrive. When in full bloom, the prairie glows with bright yellows to brilliant purples, a sight that stops people in their cars on a nearby road.

McHenry Cabin — ILT Vignocchi

The family enjoy hours of entertainment around this stone fire pit. The patio is Rosetta® Grand Flag Stone with Rosetta® Belvedere for the seat wall and fire pit. The seat wall allows for easy access and a place to share stories. The fire pit was sited so the parents could watch their kids on the swing set while they relaxed.

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