Sunken Fire Pit with Dry Stone Retaining Wall - Spruce Head, Maine

We got to pick every piece of stone for this wall by hand from an old quarry around the corner. We tiptoed through a field of scattered tailings, doing our best not to think too hard about how easy it would be to twist an ankle. Or worse.

That was my kind of scavenger hunt. And it was worth the effort. This old quarry stone has a patina and character you just can't get from freshly cut material. It belongs here.

This fire pit is one phase of a larger project. We’ve used the same reclaimed granite on other parts of the property. The materials and approach tie the spaces together.

The Project:

This coastal property in Spruce Head needed an outdoor gathering space that could handle ocean views and coastal winds at the same time. The clients wanted a fire pit area that felt protected and intimate without blocking the water.

So we created a sunken nook. Dry stone retaining walls on three sides, flagstone paving underfoot, and a few well-placed boulders for seating and visual weight.

Location: Spruce Head, Maine (St. George)

Scope:

• Dry stone retaining walls

• Flagstone fire pit patio

• Boulder placement

• Grading and drainage

Materials:

• Reclaimed granite wall stone (hand-selected from local quarry)

• Natural fieldstone flagging

• Granite boulders sourced on-site