Scott Smith finds backyard bliss by improving the yard at his Kennesaw residence himself. He works with SunBelt Marketing as a manufacturers representative, but said working in the yard is his passion.

“I’m dealing with customers and sales all week long. Getting outside working (is) a time for me to get away from the phone, just get out there and work and enjoy myself,” he said.

Smith and his wife, Christy, purchased their home in Hedgerose Subdivision that sits on a half-acre lot in 1995. Desiring to create a family retreat, Smith’s biggest challenge was the incline of the yard toward Stilesboro Road.

“We’re in a subdivision, and you’re limited on the backyard. You know in Atlanta, you either go up a hill or down a hill,” he said laughing. “My goal was to eventually have total privacy which I’ve accomplished.”

Smith met the landscaping challenge head-on. Around the pool, he built a 15x15 outdoor bar complete with metal roof, full stereo, granite tops and kitchen appliances. Although he hired a carpenter to help with the outdoor bar, he completed the remainder himself.

“I’m just a salesman. I just measure twice and cut once,” Smith said.

He screened in a porch on both levels of the back of the home. He installed all bamboo with 22” tiles all around on the ceiling of the lower porch. He said, “I made it a real Polynesian feel for a screened-in porch off the back of the house.”

In the yard, he incorporated stone hardscape, palm trees and other plant life. He said, “I have over 400 plantings in the yard. I’ve pretty much planted every shrub in my yard.”

With the improvements, Smith achieved a beautiful private retreat.

“I’m never done. I’m getting closer,” he said. “I just enjoy getting outside doing all that stuff.”