In addition to composing the different backyard zones in a pleasing way, the designer wanted the concrete pads to work within those spaces. “We planned these lines of turf so carefully,” Robinson says. For example, she determined where the dining chairs would be placed, then ran a line of turf between them. This ensured that all the chair legs would sit atop concrete.

For homeowners deciding where to save and splurge, Robinson recommends prioritizing vertical surfaces over paving. “Using the concrete separated by turf kept the patio interesting and on budget,” she says. “It saved a lot of money over choosing something like a porcelain patio surface.”

Custom powder-coated steel planters, including a curved piece that echoes the bar’s countertop, were among the splurges. “A squared-off planter would have felt too hard-edged, and it would have impeded traffic,” Robinson says.

This versatile feature — which can be used to grow herbs, veggies or ornamentals — anchors the design. The turf lines and concrete pads ripple out from the planter, integrating it into the landscape.