Landscaper: Fireplaces add spark to yard

Outdoor fireplaces can add ambiance and beauty to any yard, according to Don Harrison of Harrison Landscape Co.

Used to enhance the yard setting, fireplaces can be customized to fit the overall look of a home, serving as a focal point or as a complementary feature to other yard amenities such as a patio, pool, spa, barbecue or play area.

Harrison said people look for outdoor accessories that bring movement and energy to a yard, citing water fountains as an example. With drought and water restrictions becoming an issue, Harrison said he recommends fireplaces instead of water-themed amenities. In the past year, his concept has caught on because of shrinking yards and growing courtyards.

Fireplaces can be a year-round amenity, he adds, as homeowners can change decorations to fit the occasion. Units come in several styles.

Harrison said it typically takes four or five days to build a fireplace on-site.

Stand-alone fireplace units are available but most customers prefer to incorporate a sitting bench or wall.

A unit made from cinder blocks and stucco with a gas line and two 4-foot-long extended seating walls starts from about $4,500.

The family-owned Harrison Landscape Co. and its sister company, Harrison Door Co., are located in Henderson.

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