Date: May 1, 2026 | Story: Virginia Brown | Photography: Rett Peek | Styling: Stephanie Maxwell Newton |
A creative overhaul transforms a Little Rock family’s stark backyard into a hydrangea-filled hangout
When Beth and Charlie Porter moved into their Little Rock home, they knew the sizable backyard had great potential. The large pool was ideal for Arkansas summers with their two young children. However, a covered patio attached to the back of the house darkened the interior and blocked the backyard view. “The backyard is what really sold us,” Beth says. “We loved the pool, but everything around it was just concrete. We wanted to be able to bring light into our home and look out to see the yard and something beautiful.”
To make the setting more inviting, the Porters enlisted the help of David Munsey III with Better Lawns and Gardens. “The backyard was a big rectangle,” David says. “Our goal was to add a little bit of interest, break up the space, and create different nooks and pockets where people could gather.”
The project began with a total reset. Crews broke up the concrete, hauled it away, and brought in fresh soil to give them a new starting point. For the design, David focused on clean lines and simplicity. Three hangout zones include a covered structure with a fireplace, a cozy dining area, and a conversation area, the latter two of which are united with crushed limestone aggregate underfoot. “One of the main things we wanted was for it to be low maintenance,” Beth explains. “We had young kids at the time, and we both worked full time, so we wanted to be able to enjoy it on the weekends. We didn’t want to have to work to maintain it.”
As for the plantings, the Porters have always loved hydrangeas and wanted to fill the space with the large, vivid blooms. ‘Endless Summer’ hydrangeas by the dozens became the stars of the beds, while boxwood hedges provide year-round greenery and structure. “Over time, the plants have gotten bigger and fuller. I clip from them all season,” Beth says. “When they bloom, it feels like we’re on vacation in our own backyard.”
Details like the lion-head fountain, which Beth sourced at J.Parkey in Little Rock, add to the space’s tranquility.
Serene Spaces
Once the covered patio attached to the back of the house was removed, natural light flowed into the interior and opened up a backyard view. Two newly designed nooks, separated by a bed full of bursting hydrangeas and sturdy boxwoods, offer distinct spaces for al fresco dining and relaxed entertaining. A low-maintenance turf perimeter was installed around the pool and has become a go-to lounge space for guests.
“Our goal was to add a little bit of interest, break up the space, and create different nooks and pockets where people could gather.”
—David Munsey III, Landscape Designer
Outdoor Living
Next to the pool, opposite the dining and sitting areas, a covered structure designed to match the home was added. Potted arborvitae add privacy, while comfy seating, a mounted television, and a cozy fireplace have made this one of the family’s favorite hangout spaces year-round.
Design Resources
Landscape design and installation David Munsey III, Better Lawns and Gardens Accessories J.Parkey Brick Antique Brick & Block
