Create a Focal Point with Firepits and Fireplaces in Your Landscape

Aged granite and field stone bring a strong sense of character to this outdoor wood-burning fireplace. Masonry by Mark James Stone Masonry.

This lakeside retreat offers the chance to roast marshmallows around the fire and gather with family and friends near the water’s edge while enjoying nature’s splendor.

This rustic circular wood-burning fire pit features Old Chester stone cap pieces and Adirondack chair seating that can be moved for optimal distance from the fire.

This gas-burning, granite fire table makes for a multi-function center piece. When in use, it brings light, warmth, and interest to this outdoor patio. When not in use and the cover is in place, it functions as a traditional table top.

Designing and crafting this 6’ long fire table was no easy task. Dennis Ames, Project Manager for Pellettieri Associates, comments, “We chose to make the table in two pieces; one 4” thick solid granite base stone, and another rectangular granite piece was hollowed out and set on top, and then epoxied together.”

This completely hand-crafted fire feature includes a custom log set made from recycled steel. Pellettieri Associates teamed up with Colorado-based Breck Ironworks on this project to bring this feature to life.

In order to create an outdoor entertaining area that invites friends and family to get cozy until the wee hours of the night, you need to do more than just light a fire and pull up a chair. “The right design really creates an extended space for living and a way to reconnect with family and friends and get back to nature,” says Graham Pellettieri, president of Pellettieri Associates, Inc., a second-generation landscape design and build firm based in New Hampshire.

Whether it’s three generations roasting marshmallows over a log-burning fire sheltered from the elements by a hand-carved gazebo, or a romantic after-dinner whiskey for two around a gas fieldstone fireplace, gathering outside creates lasting memories.

Design the Right Outdoor Entertaining Space to fit your Lifestyle

Pellettieri asks all of his clients the same question to get to the heart of the design process: “How do you intend to use the space?” He advises imagining the biggest social gathering you’ll want to host and orienting the space to comfortably accommodate that number of people.

To keep the party going after the sun goes down—and make the space practical for three-season fun—you’ll want to consider a fire feature. The choices are endless—from a sleek gas-powered fire table carved out of a single 5,000-pound slab of raw granite, to a rustic firepit surrounded by Adirondack chairs, to a sculptural gas bonfire featuring hand-welded iron logs and pinecones.

Technology makes ambiance as easy as flicking a switch. For example, under-seat lighting can illuminate a custom bench, a sound system can pump out favorite tunes, and LEDs can be programmed from an app to change colors and create a party mood.

Consider Sustainability

It’s possible to create a luxurious gathering space that is also green by selecting regional materials and native plants.

Consider locally sourced Vermont ledgestone or naturally appealing New Hampshire Granite both sustainable options. Pellettieri cautions that it’s important to not only choose a stone based on its aesthetic but to also evaluate how it will stand up to extreme temperatures, scratches, and time.

When it comes to foliage, Pellettieri doesn’t mince words. “We strongly lean toward native plantings,” he says. “If you introduce new materials from a distant area, invasive species can start to take over.” Native plants and materials are much easier to integrate and blend with their surrounding environment.

Find the Ideal Position on Your Property

Location is everything when it comes to adding entertainment space, especially if a flame is involved. First, Pellettieri advises learning your town’s laws concerning the minimum distance required between the house and a gas or wood fire feature. Next, pay attention to natural light, including angles of the sun, and sightlines of the sunset and star-studded night sky. Carefully consider safety needs such as ADA accessibility for a grandparent, foliage that may cause allergies to flare, and level grading and ample lighting so young kids can gather ‘round without the risk of tripping.

For those opting for a woodburning feature, it’s important to consider wind direction to avoid a setup where smoke blows into your guests’ eyes. “Think about the prevailing wind direction,” Pellettieri advises. “Where is the seating going to be in relation to the firepit?”

Since New England winds can notoriously gust, Pellettieri suggests choosing furniture that can be easily reconfigured if the smoke does start to blow. For more rustic firepits, he recommends placing boulders around the perimeter at varying distances from the flames so that guests can easily switch seats if the fire throws off too much heat or smoke.

Regardless of which direction you head, it’s important to visualize how the outdoor space will flow with your home’s architecture and style as well as the surrounding environment. “A landscape architecture firm should be your first call. They will help you to think about the relationship between your outdoor spaces and your home,” Pellettieri says.

Pellettieri Associates, Inc., pellettieriassoc.com