Gary + Gayle: Cincinnati, Ohio

Trees line the perimeter of the back yard, while a sunken gathering area highlights the landscape. "We wanted [the basement] to have attractive outside access and a restful garden sitting area of its own", Gayle explains. Leading into lowest level of the home, the patio brings outdoor elements inside, making the basement feel more like another level, as opposed to a closed-off space. The benches were found at a local gardening center and re-stained by the homeowners, and the fire pit was sourced from the Sundance catalogue. Adrienne DeRosa Photography © 2013 Houzz