Impact Landscape & Home Remodeling can transform your indoor and outdoor spaces with designs that pack an innovative punch
By Laura Briedis
Impact Landscape & Home Remodeling has a unique perspective when designing inside and outside spaces.
From designing backyard kitchens that look like they belong indoors—complete with granite countertops, refrigerators and sinks—to remodeling home interiors by taking down walls to create an open-concept design with views of the yard, this locally owned company is seamlessly blending indoor-outdoor living spaces.
“We are creating outdoor spaces in backyards that are similar to an indoor open-concept family room and kitchen,” says Joe Chiera, who, along with his wife, Kristen and Jeff Heinl, owns Impact Landscape & Home Remodeling. “We make spaces, which can have a TV, furniture and a place to eat, where you can gather with family. These spaces are an extension of your home and provide extra square footage of living space.”
Oftentimes, this means building a pavilion or three-season room to provide extra cover.
“We are building lots of A-frame pavilions, which are a more modern take on traditional octagonal gazebos,” says Joe. “Plus, a pavilion shelters you from the rain and allows you to use the space year-round. We can even install power retractable screens to keep the bugs at bay.”
The company can incorporate a mix of water and fire features, as well as lots of natural elements, in its landscape designs with the same goal: to provide an outdoor space that is relaxing and rejuvenating.
“As a kid, I was always playing in the woods and creeks, so I really enjoy bringing that sense of adventure to backyard landscapes,” comments Joe. “There are a lot of different focal points we can add to your landscape design, including water features.”
“Water features are like a work of art,” adds Jeff Heinl, who has been with the company since its inception. “A water feature is like an abstract painting that you don’t really design but masterfully create on the spot, letting the stones and boulders lie naturally.”
Whether an intricate waterfall built into the hillside or bubbling basalt columns, the sound of trickling water will turn your backyard into a resort-like oasis. And you can add a water feature practically anywhere.
“We just created a pond-less water feature near the front door of a home in Wadsworth,” says Joe. “We built a hidden reservoir of water underground that recirculates the water and bubbles over natural boulders. To soften the hardscape, we planted boxwoods, hydrangeas and New Guinea impatiens so it blends right in.”
Always with a nod to nature, the company designs one-of-a-kind landscapes. The team recently built four sandstone pillars with a guardrail-type railing and pavers underneath to create a striking landscape design element that mimics a bridge crossing over a ravine leading up to the house.
With each landscape project, the company creates a detailed plan, which is meticulously hand-drawn by Russ Luyster, the landscape designer. A seasoned horticulturist, he doesn’t rely on computer templates but instead designs by hand a custom plan for each home, which can include trees, shrubs, flowering perennials, boulders, lighting, patios, pergolas and other hardscapes. Plus, LED lighting can help showcase your landscape in the best light.
The company also offers year-round landscape maintenance plans, which include spring and fall cleanups, mulching and grass cutting for residential homes and commercial properties.
“Landscaping is often the forgotten piece of a home,” comments Kristen. “Our company takes a whole approach to home design, starting with the trees and shrubs in your front yard, moving into your home’s interior and then into the backyard. We design it so it all flows and is seamless.”
What started as a landscaping business in 1998 has catapulted to also become a home remodeling company encompassing both interiors and exteriors.
“I started my business by push-mowing lawns,” says Joe. “While a senior at Walsh Jesuit High School, I mowed lawns to earn spending money while balancing time between school and playing baseball.”
With a strong work ethic and keen business acumen, his company has morphed two decades later into a full-service landscaping and home remodeling company with a staff of 45 landscapers and construction crew members.
“We take care of all things related to your home,” he says. “Whether you want to remodel your kitchen, finish your basement or add an expansive patio, we can do it all.”
Impact Landscape & Home Remodeling is located at 6291 Chittenden Road in Boston Heights. For a free estimate, call 330-848-0036. Visit ImpactMyLandscape.com to see a portfolio of landscaping projects or ImpactMyHome.com to view home renovations.