Winter Gatherings by the Fire – Outside
As the holiday season settles in and evenings grow cooler, there’s something timeless about gathering around a beautiful outdoor fireplace. Over the years, Stone Garden has been honored to help Wilmington homeowners create warm, inviting spaces where family, friends, and even Santa feel right at home. In anticipation of Santa sliding down chimneys soon, we’re delighted to share a few of these standout fireplace features that truly shine.
At Jeff and Lynette Pierce’s pool-house, holiday magic comes naturally. Their gorgeous fireplace, crafted in Casa Blanca RoughCut by Eldorado Stone, serves as the central feature of the space. RoughCut mimics limestone with embedded, fossilized artifacts and a boldly cleaved face, creating texture and character that feels both refined and rustic. The stonework was installed by Rigo Hernandez of Good Hands Landscape, and even their golden doodle, Dooley, seems to know it’s the coziest spot in the house.
See More: A Coastal Christmas
The pavilion, lovingly named ‘The Sanctuary’ by Monty and Joani Newsome, is anchored by an impressive fireplace built by Pietrucci Masonry. The couple selected Shawnee Ledgestone paired with Rainbow Sandstone for the mantel and hearth. It’s an elegant combination that balances warmth and sophistication. Pete Wigand of Blue Chip Building, partnered with Atlantic Barn and Timber, brought their vision to life in this 800-square-foot retreat that feels especially magical during the holidays.
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Tucked beneath the canopy of a majestic 30-foot Live Oak, Dan and Robin’s backyard fireplace feels like a secret winter hideaway. This three-tiered wood-burning fireplace was built from Kingsford Ledgestone by Stonecraft, set against Belgard Hatteras Dimensions pavers accented with a Holland Stone Slate border. The design blends seamlessly with the adjacent pool area and was completed after three weeks of dedicated craftsmanship by Juan Santiago and his crew at JC’s Hardscape & Landscaping.
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On Rick and Bernadette’s back porch, a stacked stone fireplace with a chiseled hearth and mantel sets the tone for cozy coastal evenings. The covered porch ceiling, finished in a natural stain, adds a subtle nautical touch. This inviting space was installed by Mack Braxton and his team at RMB Building and Design, making it ideal for winter grilling and holiday entertaining alike.
See More: Fire up the Grill & the Pizza Oven
Bill and Mary’s Pacific Bluestone back porch features an outdoor fireplace built with Eldorado’s White Bark Cliffstone, expertly installed by Mike Edmondson of Millennium Masonry. It’s a cozy retreat for the couple that can accommodate plenty of guests when entertaining.
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DeeDee Smith’s terrace, crafted from Pennsylvania Dimensional Bluestone, forms the foundation for an Echo Ridge Dressed Fieldstone fireplace, installed by Adam Sedney of Ace Masonry Landscapes. It’s a cozy, stunning patio reminiscent of timeless Italian courtyards.
See More: DeeDee Smith's Italian-Inspired Oasis
The outdoor entertainment hub of Bill and Amy Aldridge is anchored by a fireplace of Echo Ridge Southern Ledgestone, topped with Pacific Bluestone caps. It was installed by Fortino Martinez of Grampa Masonry. It’s a true party-ready centerpiece for every season.
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And finally, a “hearth-felt” holiday memory from Christmas 2010 at the former Stone Garden location. In the showroom of the wonderful old house once occupied in front of Nixon’s Oysters, Cammie, the beloved border collie mascot at the time, warmed herself by the fireplace built with Bucks County Country Ledgestone and a Bluestone mantel. It’s a reminder that hearths have always been at the heart of the season.
Homeowners often begin their own fireplace journey by visiting Stone Garden’s Inspiration Garden showroom and courtyard, where seeing stone in real-life settings helps turn holiday dreams into lasting outdoor spaces. This season, we invite you to imagine what a winter gathering by the fire could look like in your own backyard.