Erin Peiffer transforms a sloped lot into a family-friendly backyard with multiple spaces for relaxing and entertaining.
by Cathy Martin | photographs by Dustin and Susie Peck
Tree-lined neighborhoods with gentle rolling hills are part of south Charlotte’s appeal. But anyone who’s lived in a home built on a steeply sloped lot understands the challenges that come with it. After all, what good is having a half-acre yard if you can’t garden, entertain or kick around the soccer ball?
Such was the case with this two-story colonial near SouthPark, with a yard that was pleasingly flat in the front but heavily pitched in the back.
“Before we did anything, this house had a very sloped backyard and a very small brick patio that was enclosed with a border around it,” says Erin Peiffer, owner and designer at Evergreen Landscape Designs. “It didn’t feel very open, and it was limited in terms of actually having a decent yard area to play in.”
Peiffer likens artificial turf to a high-end carpet: While it’s a big investment upfront, it can last for decades if cared for properly.
With two active boys, the homeowners desperately needed a level space for the kids to play, as well as outdoor areas for the family to relax and entertain guests.
First, Peiffer added a retaining wall to create a flat play area, opting for artificial turf over sod.
“Turf is definitely ideal for people that have young families,” says Peiffer, who founded her landscape-design business in 2020. “If it rains, and you want to send your kids out to play in the backyard, [grass is] muddy and it’s a mess. It’s not as user-friendly.” Designed for high-traffic areas, turf also works well for families with energetic dogs and is relatively low-maintenance, Peiffer says. “You don’t have to spray chemicals on it to keep it looking nice.”
With the yard level and the kids’ play area established, Peiffer turned her attention to the patio, expanding it and adding stairs to create a welcoming feel. Across the lawn, another small patio with a low stone wall provides a quiet spot for relaxing, and a natural area with Adirondack chairs has become a peaceful spot for morning coffee. Toward the back of the lot, Peiffer turned an existing garden shed into a picturesque corner by adding evergreen shrubs, pretty planters and sturdy stone steps.
START WITH DESIGN
Given the explosive popularity of outdoor living, Peiffer says a big mistake homeowners make is treating their outdoor space like it’s secondary to the overall home design. Wanting a quick fix, people often hastily add trees and shrubs that are prone to die due to lack of thoughtful planning.
“There is a big science to it,” says Peiffer. “The right plant in the right place — and planted the right way — is really important.”
Left: Practical but pretty: Peiffer turned a utilitarian garden shed into a picturesque corner in this south Charlotte backyard. “It’s a shed, but you’re making it an attractive space in your yard.” Middle: A group of Adirondack chairs creates a cozy spot for coffee or conversation, with space for a portable fire pit on chilly evenings.
Peiffer, a self-taught landscape designer, left a successful corporate career to start Evergreen Landscape Designs. “I worked my way up the corporate ladder, so to speak,” she says. “It just got to the point where it just wasn’t enjoyable.” As an outdoors lover, Peiffer says landscape design seemed like a natural fit.
“Even at a young age, I was always one out playing in the dirt and not playing with Barbies. I’ve always just gravitated toward everything outdoors.” Her grandmother, an avid gardener, was also an inspiration and an early source of knowledge.
After attending a conference where she met and learned from two established architects, Peiffer began taking classes to study the more technical aspects of the field, such as drainage and water flow, scale, and material selection.
“When you love what you do, you just continually learn it and continually try to get better. I just have a passion for everything outdoors and new materials, and the right way to do it.”
Now with five employees, Peiffer’s firm specializes in major outside renovations, from demolition and hardscaping to plantings and lighting. Her staff will even go as far as suggesting paint colors and sharing outdoor furniture recommendations.
Right: Erin Peiffer, founder of Evergreen Landscape Designs,
“It’s really important to start with the design. Execution and the installation is obviously important, but you really need to have the vision of where you see your space going,” Peiffer says. “What we try to do is give people ideas that they never would think about.”
While elements like hardscaping and turf are fairly low-maintenance, gardens do require a certain level of attention. Once plants are installed, Peiffer stresses the importance of maintenance. “They are now your kids,” she tells her clients. “It’s an investment, and you have to take care of it.” SP
