Home sweet home: Inside and out

As American novelist and poet Christopher Morley said so eloquently, “April prepares her green traffic light, and the world thinks, Go.” 

For homeowners, this means it is time to head outdoors and get their yard ready for spring and all the enjoyable activities that come with warm weather.

“Spring is far more than just a change of seasons. It’s a time to refresh and renew,” says Joe Chiera, who, along with his wife Kristen, owns Impact Landscaping & Home Remodeling. “It is time to tidy up your landscaping and add new features.”

Both a landscape company and a home remodeler, Impact has a unique perspective when designing inside and outside spaces. From designing backyard kitchens that look like they belong indoors to remodeling stunning home interiors, this locally owned company is seamlessly blending indoor-outdoor living spaces.

Patios, Pavilions, Pergolas

Impact designs and installs outdoor spaces that are an extension of the home and provide extra square footage of living space—from home additions with retractable screens leading to an outdoor patio, to a pavilion set back in the yard with a meandering walkway guiding you back to a tranquil sitting area, to a pergola framing an outdoor kitchen.

Always with a nod to nature, Impact likes to incorporate natural elements into all its designs, along with modern conveniences.

For one Copley homeowner, the company built an expansive 20-by-36-foot pavilion last summer that had everything a house would—a vent-less fireplace and electric heaters; a kitchen with a sink, a refrigerator and grill; a bathroom; a TV and music speakers; and lighting. 

The pavilion, which is constructed from cedar, a tongue-and-groove oak ceiling and six pillars wrapped in cultured stone, was designed so it could be used three seasons. 

“We created a resort-like backyard with different entertainment spaces, each with their own features,” Joe says. “There is a mix of open spaces and covered areas all connected by a colored concrete patio with inlaid pavers.”

Though Impact has carved out a market niche designing award-winning pavilions, the company installs all types of hardscapes, using both manufactured products and natural stone products, to create patios, retaining walls and walkways, as well as stand-alone wood pergolas.

Water, Water, Everywhere

Impact incorporates a mix of water and fire features as well as lots of natural elements in its landscape designs to provide an outdoor space that is relaxing.

“Growing up as a kid, I was always playing in the woods and creeks, so I really enjoy bringing that sense of adventure to backyard landscapes,” Joe comments. “There are a lot of different water features we can add to your landscape design, from fountains to koi ponds to waterfalls cascading down boulders.”

One of the biggest focal points homeowners can add to their backyard is a swimming pool. Impact installs fiberglass pools in all shapes and sizes designed with unique features, such as tanning ledges and beach entry slopes. 

“Fiberglass pools are very low maintenance,” says Joe, noting there is no liner, they don’t need re-plastering, and you won’t snag swimwear. “There is still time to schedule a new pool for this year.”

Impact’s expert landscaping crew can also plant trees and shrubs to soften up the edges around the pool or any hardscapes.

With each landscape project, the company creates a detailed plan, which is meticulously hand drawn by Russ Luyster, the landscape designer. A seasoned horticulturist, he doesn’t rely on computer templates but rather designs by hand a custom plan for each home, which can include trees, shrubs, flowering perennials, boulders, lighting, pools, patios and other hardscapes. To complement these drawings, the company also uses digital software to further bring the plans to life so homeowners can better envision the final design.

“For every landscaping and home remodeling project, our goal is to maximize living space by providing more useful space for families—and making it beautiful,” Joe says. “We take into consideration both indoors and outdoors.”

Impact Landscaping & Home Remodeling is located at 1410 Medina Road in Medina. For a free estimate, call 330-848-0036. Visit ImpactMyHome.com to see a portfolio of landscaping projects or to view home renovations.