Elevated Lakeside Living
The Nielsen Project // Blue Water
“We didn’t just build a backyard. We built the space where life happens.”
– Brad Wax, Lead Designer
When Niel and Julie Nielsen approached Ground Builders, they didn’t just want landscaping. They wanted life-scaping—a custom-designed outdoor experience that could host holidays, men’s groups, late-night fires, and lazy Sunday mornings with the lake as the backdrop.
From the curb to the shoreline, every detail was intentional. Every line, every light, every stone, it all had to serve a purpose. Function, yes. But also: beauty, warmth, movement, and memory.
“So many of the ideas that are built into the landscape were not Julie and I’s idea. It was Brad’s thoughts of how this should be developed.”
– Niel Nielsen
The Vision:
Front-to-Back Excellence
The goal? An eye-catching front that highlighted the extraordinary qualities of the house and a functional, yet show-stopping, backyard that can be enjoyed by family, friends and lake goers.
Brad Wax and the Ground Builders team took that challenge and delivered a front-to-back transformation that softens the home’s structure, adds layers of visual intrigue, and gives the family a place to actually live—not just look at.
“Landscaping isn’t just about plants and grass,” Brad said. “It’s about making outdoor spaces as livable and meaningful as the inside of your home.”
Project at a Glance
Timeline:
6 weeks total
Crew Size:
3-man core crew
Subs + Partners:
Concrete, veneer, gas
Install Area:
4000+ sq ft sod, 500+ pavers
Signature Design Elements
Two Water Features
A gentle bubbling rock up front draws guests in with subtle sound and a sense of welcome. Around the back? A bold five-column basalt water feature pours ambient sound into the patio air, elevating the vibe without ever shouting for attention.
Layered Curb Appeal
Curved bed lines. Framed trees. Uplighting on plantings and structures, in addition to limestone walls that create dimension and depth. All carefully designed to lead the eye to the front door without competing with it.
“The front of the house has a lot of color incorporated into it, reds and oranges. And we’ve got a really great bolder water feature out by the front door that runs all the time and just gives a nice sound, and a nice presence in the entry area. We love the design out there.”
– Niel Nielsen
The Real Showstopper:
The Backyard
This is where the project comes alive. A sprawling paver patio surrounds a custom veneered fire pit, accented with an inset circular inlay of darker stone to give the gathering space its own identity.
There’s a turf area for games and guests, a hidden stone pathway down to the hot tub, and enough lighting to turn the whole place into a moonlit resort after dark.
“It’s all about experience,” Brad said. “Where you walk, where you sit, what you hear, how you feel, it’s all baked into the layout.”
Materials That Mean Something
The Nielsens brought bold preferences to the table, and Brad helped refine them with expertise. Materials were chosen for longevity, cohesion with the home, and high-impact visual contrast.
Pavers and veneer to match the home’s exterior
Ground covers and rock hand-selected from local suppliers
Custom plantings for structure, softness, and color
Lighting that blends safety, style, and serenity
Oh, and the lighting? Let’s just say it’s next level: under-cap lights on walls and steps, in-paver edge lights, up-lighting on pots, trees, address signage, pathway lights throughout and even the beach wall—so the entire property glows like an invitation after sunset.
“We’re really excited about the lighting. We got a lot of lighting throughout the landscape, from the spots that light up the wall, and all the path lighting, and the water features are really highlighted in a cool way, and it really does allow you to feel like you’re at home out here in the evening.”
– Niel Nielsen
Engineered With Care
No step was unintentional, it was true craftsmanship at every turn.
Hot tub access
Hidden but functional stone path
Drainage
Routed beneath the dock to preserve the pristine beach aesthetic
Erosion control
Metal baffles + reinforced sod
Fire pit layout
Inset pavers = natural flow + elegant separation
What It’s Become
Since completion, the Nielsen property has become a living part of their routine. From hosting friends and men’s group meetings to celebrating the Fourth of July, this isn’t just a nice backyard, it’s the center of gathering, connection, celebration, and rest.
“They knew what they wanted. They just didn’t know how to get there. We helped make it real,” Brad said.
What Makes This Project Different
A lot of landscapes look good the day they’re finished. This one works day after day, season after season.
“It wasn’t just about making it beautiful. It was about building it right. The collaboration was real, the details mattered, and nothing was left to chance. Every inch was planned with purpose, and every decision was made to last. This isn’t a showpiece. It’s a living space!”
Ready to live outdoors as fully as you live indoors?
Let’s design the space that fits: Your life. Your personality. Your people. Your pace.