hi legends, Can someone please tell me what I need to turn this before photo into my proposed after photo?
Hi @stuartheth,
You'd start by removing the sleepers in the centre of the space, then clearing the area of any obstructions so you have a clean slate to work with. You should be able to achieve this with some basic garden tools such as the rake in the foreground of your photo, a decent shovel, a wheelbarrow and a fencing bar if you need to dig out footings for the sleepers.
Once the area is clear and back to a level surface, you create the circular shape using corten steel edging and the related accessories. You can mark out the area by placing a stake in the centre, using a piece of builder's line with some spray and mark paint to mark out a circle where the edging can be installed.
When the edging is in place, you can fill the circle with some decorative stones. The ones shown in your inspiration image look like River Pebble Landscape Stones.
Once that central area is built, I would suggest you look at the planting. The hedge at the back could be made using lilly pillies, the grassy plants look like lirriopes, the shrubs look like westringias and the potted tree looks like an olive tree in a 55cm Black Terrazzo Look Precinct Lite Moon Bowl.
You can then add lighting to the space. The string lights along the fence and hedge are called festoon lights and there are solar versions like these Lytworx Filament Festoon Solar And USB LED Lights which would be perfect. The ground lights at the front look similar to these Solar Magic 15lm LED Pathlights or these Solar Magic 20lm Gl193 Solar Path Lights.
You can then select some outdoor furniture for the space, as well as an outdoor brazier or firepit.
The bench with firewood storage would need to be custom. It could be built using timber sleepers. You might like to check out our Top 10 most popular outdoor bench projects for some ideas and inspiration.
Hopefully this gives you a good idea of what you'd be looking at. If you had specific questions about parts of the process, please let me know so I can assist further.
Jacob
I thought I'd also point you towards our 10 most popular fire pit projects for inspiration and tag in some of their creators, @raymond265, @cadsman, @sannear and @Bundaboy, to see if they have any thoughts. Also, check out this helpful step-by-step guide on How to build a firepit.
Mitchell
Just checking in to see how you're progressing with your firepit entertaining area project.
Were you able to get started or even finish your outdoor entertaining area in time for winter?
We'd love to see any progress photos if you've made a start.
This looks amazing. How do I prepare for the base for the pebble?
Hi @Cocoabrowny,
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.
I've given a basic description of the process in my first response. You'd start by removing everything in the way, mark out the area, then excavate the soil so there is enough height to install a good layer of your stones. If the stones need to be retained, some garden edging will also come in handy.
You can go further and install a compacted base, but it isn't absolutely necessary if the ground is relatively stable as it is. If you were installing pavers or stepping stones, then you definitely should because you don't want them to move, but if it is just decorative stones, which will move around a little bit, there's no great need for a compacted base. In saying this, you can check out the process for creating a compacted base in https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/building-construction/paths-and-paving/how-to-lay-a-base-for-pavers .
The process would be similar to what I've described regardless of the situation, however there can be some nuance. If you were looking to do something similar, I could certainly take a look and offer some more situation specific advice.
Let me know what you think and don't hesitate to reach out for further advice. I am excited to help wherever I can.
