#shawneeks

We’ve been in this house in Kansas City for a while now, and every spring I say the same thing: “Let’s do something with the yard this year.”

And every summer, life speeds up, the heat sets in, and I settle for trimming the edges, tossing down some mulch, and hoping the grass grows evenly. Spoiler: it doesn’t.

But this year feels different. Maybe it’s the weather, maybe it’s the fact that the kids are finally old enough to not trample every flower I plant. Or maybe I’m just craving a space where I can sit and feel like the yard isn’t a project... but a place.

From Weeds to “What If?”

We’ve got this sloped section along the side of our backyard that’s never been quite right. It’s steep enough to be annoying to mow, flat enough to collect water, and ugly enough to be ignored for three years straight. And yet, I keep picturing it as something else—something beautiful and maybe even functional.

That daydream took me down an internet rabbit hole of sloped yard solutions and native plant ideas. I ended up finding this really helpful page from a local crew—Top Tier Landscaping. It’s about their Shawnee landscaping work. You can check it out here: 🌱 https://toptierlandscapingkc.com/shawnee-ks/landscaping/

Why This Page Hit Different

What I loved about the Top Tier guide is how it doesn’t just treat landscaping like fluff. They really talk about the why behind it—boosting home value, saving time, working with the slope of your yard instead of fighting it. I swear, it felt like someone had walked through my backyard and written a list of every single issue I’ve been ignoring.

They even mention how a lot of homes in Shawnee sit on sloped or uneven land. YES. This. Me. Right here.

Reading about how they approach custom drainage systems and erosion control made me feel like this isn’t some unsolvable problem. It’s just a yard waiting for the right plan.

Also? They work with native plants and organic landscaping, which is a big plus for me. I don’t need fancy—just low-maintenance and chemical-free. That’s been a big hang-up for me in the past: not wanting to add work to my life or worry about what my kids or dog are stepping in.

What I’m Thinking Now (Cue Daydream Mode)

The big dream? A terraced slope with layers of shrubs, flowering perennials, and maybe some native grasses that wave in the wind. Nothing overdone. Just well-planned.

Maybe a raised bed tucked into the lower part of the yard where I can grow herbs and tomatoes (and pretend I’m more responsible than I am).

Add in some landscape lighting—not those harsh motion lights, but soft, low glows along the edge of the walkways. It’s amazing what good lighting can do to make a space feel magical.

I’m also eyeing turf options. Part of me wants to go full faux-grass for that section and skip mowing altogether. Apparently, that’s something Top Tier offers too.

And then there’s the idea of a small flagstone path. Something that gives the kids a “secret trail” vibe as they dart across the yard. I keep picturing how that would look with fireflies bouncing around at dusk.

Not a Full Renovation. But a Real Step Forward.

I’m not aiming for a total landscape overhaul—at least not this season. But I’ve started sketching things out and thinking in phases.

Maybe we start with that slope. Get the grading right. Add some plants that actually belong here. Then maybe next season we work on the lighting or build out the garden bed.

Top Tier’s page reminded me that you don’t have to do it all at once—you just have to begin with a plan.

And knowing they’ve done this work in Shawnee, in places like Monticello and Lakepointe, makes it feel more possible. I’m not just looking at pretty pictures—I’m seeing what could actually work in my yard.

Here’s to quiet mornings, less mowing, and more barefoot summers.

“There’s something oddly satisfying about seeing your neighborhood through a new lens…”

You’d think after a decade of living in Shawnee I’d have stopped noticing the little things — but last week, while walking the dog down our usual route, I passed a house with a brand-new deck and nearly tripped over my own feet doing a double take.

It wasn’t flashy. No crazy colors or complicated shapes. But it worked. Like it belonged to the house and extended it somehow — same lines, same energy. Wide steps, low lighting, composite boards that looked like real wood but cleaner. Effortless. I instantly imagined myself out there, glass of sangria in hand, watching the sun go down with that same quiet satisfaction.

So, naturally, I came home and went looking. Deck envy activated. I ended up on this page from The Decksperts — Custom Deck Construction Services in Shawnee, KS — and yep, that’s the vibe I was after.

What I liked was how they really get Shawnee. Like, they’re not just builders who happen to be nearby. They know this place. The local quirks. The zoning stuff. The soil (yes, we have weird soil). They even mentioned helping homeowners navigate HOA requirements, and that alone is worth gold. Ours has more rules than a middle school dance.

I appreciated how they broke down real options — from sunlight exposure to low-maintenance upgrades. One example stood out: a family in Hillcrest Farms who switched to composite to avoid yearly maintenance. That got me thinking. I’m all for the warmth of real wood, but I also know myself. I won’t be out there staining and sealing every season. Let’s be honest — I can barely keep our tomatoes alive.

And they really emphasize design that fits the way you live. For me? That means shade in the late afternoon (we roast like rotisserie chickens around 4 p.m.) and a wide enough space for our giant outdoor beanbags and my kid’s inflatable pool that we pretend isn’t a choking hazard.

The way they describe it, it’s not just about the deck. It’s about flow — how it connects to the kitchen, where people gather, how you move from indoors to out. That’s where I’m stuck. We have this awkward drop from our sliding door to the patio that always felt… off. But after reading about their ideas on stairs, railings, and multilevel designs? I feel like I can finally picture it.

I’m definitely bookmarking this: https://www.thedeckspertskc.com/areas-we-serve/shawnee-ks. Not just because they’re local, but because the way they talk about building feels personal, almost collaborative. Like they’re not just trying to “finish a job” but build something you’ll use.

No final decisions yet, but I’ll admit… I’ve started moving the patio furniture around in my head. Rewriting summer. One plank at a time.