This landscape design + build in Mead, Washington brought a dramatic multi-tier water feature to the heart of the property—complete with a polished natural bridge rock, wood-burning fireplace with a dedicated patio, granite boulder walls, and a layered plant package designed for year-round color. From a custom paver driveway out front to the sound of cascading water in the back, every detail was designed to make this property feel inviting, natural, and built to impress.
This project in Mead started at the front of the property and worked its way into the backyard—transforming one full side of the lot into an immersive outdoor experience anchored by water, stone, and fire. The homeowners wanted a space that felt inviting from the moment you pulled in the driveway, with a water feature that delivered real impact—as large and wide as possible, close enough to feel the mist. Our team at Cross Creek designed and built every element around that vision, creating a property that draws you in and doesn't let go.
Client Goals
Create a large-scale water feature with multiple falls—big enough to feel the mist
Build a dedicated patio and wood-burning fireplace for gathering
Install a custom paver driveway that blends natural and structured elements
Add granite boulder walls with clean borders between lawn and hardscape
Recap all sides of the garage with gravel for drainage and a finished look
Design a plant package that keeps the property looking alive in every season
Key Features
Multi-Tier Water Feature: The centerpiece of the project—multiple cascading falls designed to be as large and wide as possible, delivering the sound and mist the homeowners were after
Polished Natural Bridge Rock: A single natural boulder with a polished finish spans the water feature, adding a sculptural focal point that's equal parts rugged and refined
Wood-Burning Fireplace + Patio: A dedicated gathering space with a full wood-burning fireplace, built on a paver patio designed for evening entertaining and year-round use
Custom Paver Driveway: A three-paver design featuring Catalina Grana as the primary surface with Holland border pavers—and Mega Arbel cut in along the garage face for a natural-looking transition that ties the driveway to the landscape
Granite Boulder Walls: Clean granite boulder walls create defined elevation changes and borders between lawn and hardscape, giving structure without losing the natural feel
Gravel Recap Around Garage: Gravel installed on all sides of the garage for drainage management and a clean, finished edge leading into the driveway
Year-Round Plant Package: A curated mix designed to deliver color and texture through every season—Autumn Joy Sedum and Purple Emperor Sedum bring deep reds and burgundy from late summer through fall, Daub's Frosted Juniper holds bright gold-tipped evergreen foliage year-round, Green Velvet Boxwood provides dense, structured greenery in every season, Amur Maple and Bloodgood Japanese Maple deliver vibrant fall color and striking form from spring through first frost, creating a landscape that never goes dormant on you
Execution
Led by Foreman Branden, the crew worked through a complex build that required precision across multiple feature types—water, fire, hardscape, grading, and planting. From excavation and boulder placement to paver installation and waterfall tuning, the team brought each phase together with clear communication and craftsmanship. The result is a property where every element feeds into the next, with the water feature as the anchor that ties it all together.
Client Feedback
"The attention to detail was incredible, and the communication throughout was great. The guys are honest—what they say they're going to do, they do. The staircase turned out beyond what we even expected."
— Client Interview:
Why It Works
This project is proof that one bold feature—done right—can define an entire property. By designing everything around the water feature and building outward, every element has purpose and connection. The driveway welcomes you in, the boulder walls guide you through, and the falls pull you to the back of the property where fire and water meet. It's not just a backyard—it's a destination.
Let's Build Something Worth Walking Toward
Have a vision for your property that starts with one big idea? Our design + build team specializes in building entire landscapes around the features that matter most to you.
