Just beyond the fence of Bob and Annette Blanton's backyard, a behemoth condominium is being constructed. With the added noise and loss of privacy pushing further into their lives, they sought a way to create a comfortable living area appealing to the senses.

This paved path leads up a slope and curves toward the front yard (above). Bob and Annette Blanton relax under their pergola, which was installed by Archadeck (left).

"We wanted something more outdoorsy than just a porch, something that offered a kind of shelter where we could also enjoy the garden," says Bob.

What they built was an outdoor living space that intrinsically acts as an extension to their house, as well as their lives.

The first main attraction is the pond. It is contained within an intricate wall of flat stones and is habitat to a variety of goldfish and water lilies. The pond's trickling waterfall does help drown out much of the noise from the street in front.

"When we had first added the fish, we were often visited by a blue heron that snacked on them," Bob says. "We haven't seen him around lately, though."

Just behind the pond is an Italian-style pergola where six white columns supporting rafters rise from a wooden deck they built themselves. It creates an outdoor space that isn't too constricted and provides a focal point to the rest of the garden.

"I wanted this area to have a Mediterranean feel," Bob says of the pergola. "It's an architectural blend that puts you both inside and outside at the same time."

Along the brick walkway Annette has planted gardens with a variety of plants, some to look at and some to eat, but each for a purpose.

"I put in gladiolas to help keep mosquitoes away from the pond," she says.

Annette points to an area near the newly built patio where lettuce grows among the pansies. On the other side of the garden she has planted cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, and herbs.

"I don't use any pesticides in my garden," she says. "I want everything as natural as possible."

A serene water feature is home to goldfish, koi and water plants. A concrete frog adds just the right bit of whimsy.

Across from the pond and up two steps is a wide brick patio. Bob had this constructed above ground level to create a section of the garden separated from the rest.

"Depending on your mood, you can move from inside the house to the screened-in porch for a bit more fresh air," Bob explains. "If you want to add some sun to that, you can move outdoors onto the deck. If you want a combination of both, you can go to the pergola,"

As for their privacy, Bob and Annette did not want to build walls between themselves and their neighbors; rather, they count on the season's progression to create a "soft screen" of foliage and blooms.

For the time being, they mostly enjoy their garden during daylight hours but wish to add lighting to allow a nighttime refuge outdoors during the hotter months.

"I also want to add another patio," Bob says pointing to the right of the pergola. "It will be on the same level as the main patio, but in its own space. We'll use it for grilling food and other meal-time preparations."

Though hectic as our surroundings may be at times, it is important to create a means of escape, a place where the chaotic world can be diminished by the sound of a waterfall or the taste of the season's first vegetables. The rumble of construction may still continue for some time, but there remains a small corner of Bob and Annette's landscape that is still pleasing to their senses.