A young family wanted to turn the bare yard surrounding their historic home into a private sanctuary with ample space for eating, playing and entertaining. Central to the project was the need to screen the view of, and from, the new house recently built next door. A large, naturalistic water feature would be the centerpiece of a raised privacy planting, providing both visual and auditory interest as well as a place for children and dogs to play and cool off in the summer. A large flagstone patio provided space for dining or hanging out around the fire.  A fenced garden provides vegetables, herbs and cut flowers for the house.