Taming a slope

In my own sloping backyard, the only truly usable spot was a cramped rear patio below a dangerously steep flight of stairs and a 55-year-old concrete retaining wall. To take advantage of the vista and allow for more usable outdoor living space, I devised a three-part plan: build a seat along the original retaining wall, construct a safer floating staircase up the hill, and add a generous deck at the top as a final destination. Eric Millette With its broad lip and handsome stone veneer the sitting area below the stairway at the bottom of the hill is a natural gathering spot. I decided to add a seat wall along the bottom to fix the scale problem, and I covered the vertical surfaces with stone veneer for a more attractive look.

The veneer used here-a blend of Veneto Hillstone and Fieldledge styles-is by Eldorado Stone ( or 800/925-1491); cost per square foot runs about $5 for flat pieces and about $6.50 for corners. Each platform has a simple composite wood frame (to resist rotting) and a tread and riser made of Ipé, a sustainably harvested hardwood that’s also used on the deck.