Maximizing Your Outdoor Space with DSLD

August 19, 2018

Special Feature DSLD

Austin, Autumn and Harrison Wallace enjoying their new outdoor space. Autumn represented Alabama as Miss Teen USA 1993, Miss USA 1997 and Mrs. Alabama 2012. As Mrs. Alabama, Autumn drew upon her personal experience as a parent of a child with autism, and created a platform focused on autism awareness and ways to create community support for families dealing with autism. Photos: Emery Little Photography

“They turned a jungle into useable, beautiful space,” exclaims Autumn Wallace regarding the transformation DSLD Land Management accomplished in her family’s backyard in Highland Lakes. She and her husband Seann purchased the home in 2003. At the time, the couple had no children and the focus was on maximizing the indoor space and enjoying a back deck. Fast forward, and the Wallace family includes Austin (12) and Harrison (8). Austin is a self-proclaimed “adventurer” and Autumn and Seann knew they needed to make some changes to their backyard to allow Austin and younger brother Harrison a place to enjoy God’s great outdoors. “They are outside now all the time,” says Autumn, adding, “He [David Sharp/DLSD] literally saw a vision, and Stephen Pyc, L.A. drew a beautiful architectural rendering while their landscape artist, Sherri Bradford, drew several full color perspective drawings that really helped us catch a glimpse of David’s plan.”

"The tree trunk bridge" and boundless opportunities to pick leaves along the paths are Austin Wallace's favorite parts of her new outdoor space. — “The tree trunk bridge” and boundless opportunities to pick leaves along the paths are Austin Wallace’s favorite parts of her new outdoor space.

The transformation began the first of June and was finished in about five weeks. “I never went down there before,” admits Autumn regarding their “before” backyard. The family is particularly pleased with how DSLD incorporated the stream running through the backyard. “It looks like a scene from Colorado now,” says Autumn. Austin exclaims, “I really like crossing the tree trunk. I love to go on adventures.” Autumn adds that Austin, who has autism, loves to pick leaves and their outdoor space keeps her busy and happy for hours. David Sharp explains that when beginning a project like the Wallace’s, all on-site factors are considered and often we are able to incorporate existing plants, trees, elevation changes, streams, and even shady areas into the design. “The Wallace family is a very special family and we all enjoyed making their very cool backyard our home away from home while working to create a beautiful nature trail, water fall and pond, as well as a large lawn for playing.”