Our fire pit in the backyard officially passed inspection, and we’ve been spending our fall evenings fire-side with a basket of s’more goodies. Just in time too! Honestly, being unable to turn on the fire until just a couple of weeks ago hasn’t been a huge deterrent because it’s been too hot to use anyway! But the air is turning crisp, and the North Carolina autumn weather is the perfect time to cozy up ’round the fire.

Adirondack Chairs (similar) | Woven Planter | Cedar Pines | Chaises | Umbrella | Side Table

We love a fire pit! There’s just something magical about bringing the best part of camping into your backyard. I thought we would travel through the years and visit all the fire pits we’ve done in the past.

2016 – Wood Burning Outdoor Fireplace

We DIY’d this outdoor fireplace to add interest to our deck space, and I have so many memories of us gathering around it. This is not a pit! But maybe an elegant outdoor fireplace is more your speed?

2018 – Cabin Fire Table

Raise your hand if you’ve been following along since the cabin days. The cabin sadly burned down after one short year of renovating it, but I treasure those evenings we had, huddled by this fire table. I’m so glad we made those memories while we could.

2018 – Propane Fire Pit Weekend Project

We flipped this outdoor space for our friends in a short weekend, including building the fire pit from the ground up (literally). We actually ran a line to a hidden propane tank a few feet away in a lidded ground box. Propane is a great option for fire pits if you’re not wanting wood-burning but don’t want to run a natural gas line.

2019 – Propane Fire Table on the Patio

Sofa | Chairs

Before incorporating a more permanent fire solution at the Modern Cottage, we had this stand-in fire table that we loved. Propane is the ultimate cross-over between wood burning and gas. The only tricky thing is figuring out where to disguise the “not cute” tank.

2020 – Built-in Gas Fire Pit

Adirondack Chairs

This is when our fire pit experience really got an upgrade. By this point, we knew how much we treasured our nights around the fire pit, so why not invest in our happiness some more? The only downside is we didn’t get to use it as much as we liked because of the Idaho weather!

2021 – Portable Woodburning Fire Pit in the Courtyard

Chairs | Fire Pit

And last year (before demoing the backyard), we made do with a portable fire pit in the courtyard. It was so nice to have this little slice of comfort for a few months, especially during the first fall season in North Carolina!

2022 – A Screened-in Porch Makeover

Fire Pit | Sectional | Curtains | Bistro Set

Back in June, we spent an afternoon making over this screened-in porch for Brooke and Tristan, who are a part of the CLJ team. I kid you not, this porch looked completely different when we started, but of course, we had to include a fire-pit coffee table to cozy up this space. It’s hooked up to a hidden propane tank, and they’ve been spending their weekends (and weeknights) taking full advantage of it this fall.

2022 – Custom Gas Fire Pit Area

Currently, we’re lounging around this beautiful, custom setup and couldn’t be happier to claim this backyard as ours. The whole design of this fire pit area was the genius work of the landscape designer. I really wanted to repeat the red brick of the house and retaining walls throughout the yard. The landscapers were incredibly meticulous and quick with laying the herringbone brick pattern, and I’m completely and utterly obsessed. It’s a little nod to the herringbone wood flooring pattern in our front entry.

Adirondack Chairs (similar)

The step-down doubles as additional seating for kids and such because we plan to host some serious parties out here! For the steps and fire pit rim, we repeated the bluestone coping that’s around the pool deck and atop the brick walls. The pairing of the bluestone with the red brick is “chef’s kiss.” Since it is a step-down and it rains a lot in North Carolina, the landscapers installed drainage to keep water from pooling. If you look closely, you can spot one of the drain caps!

We ordered around 20 bags of these lava rocks (in medium) and filled this baby up! So pleased with how the stones look and have held up.

At night, we have the light of the fire to help us see, but they also installed exterior lighting for some added ambiance.

Round-up of Fire Pits

If you don’t have a fire pit, then what are you doing with your fall (and honestly winter and spring) evenings?? As I’ve mentioned in the “5 Entertaining Musts” post, a fire pit is a great way to entertain because it’s an activity you can do. IMO, every gathering needs an activity. I’ve done you a favor and rounded up a bunch of fire pits at every price point. Enjoy!

1. Solo Stove Smokeless Bonfire $240
2. Mondavi Gas $242
3. Fire Wood Burning Bowl $266
4. Stainless Steel Propane Gas Table $270
5. Fulton Copper Antique Pit $411
6. Concrete Propane Fire Pit $455
7. Rectangular Wood Burning Pit $599
8. Aidan Rectangular Fire Table $603
9. Aidan Circular Gas Fire Table $633
10. Square Pedestal Fire Pit $1079
11. Riverside Fire Pit $1282
12. Natural Log Rectangle Fire Table $1060

Adirondack Chairs

If you subscribe to Love Letter, you already know all about these sexy black adirondack chairs I snatched up. When I was on the hunt for Adirondack chairs I knew I wanted black this time since all of pool furniture has white cushions, I loved the idea of that contrast. I wanted something that was weather resistant and traditional in shape—nothing too squared off or modern—and a really wide armrest, so we didn’t need extra side tables clogging the area. After having approximately 200 tabs open on my computer, I found THE PERFECT chairs!! And then I realized they didn’t ship to the US. And then I called and they did!!

They are the Canadian brand Muskoka, and we got this one with the 7.5” arms in midnight black. The height is perfect. The rolled front is so comfortable. It honestly checked all the boxes and we’re spending every evening camped out here! These ones are very similar and a little easier to get your hands on.

Chaises | Striped Umbrellas | Umbrella Side Table | Woven Planter | Cedar Pines

This backyard oasis is coming together so beautifully. The way that the black and white umbrellas tie in the white pool furniture with the black outdoor kitchen and adirondack chairs. The only thing left to do out here is install the pergola and finish the kitchen space. I already feel like this backyard renovation was worth all the hassle and wait, but I have a feeling we’ll be reminded of it with each new season.

Here’s some Adirondack chairs to pair with your fire pit. Happy Fall!

1. Langport Solid Wood $135
2. Black Adirondack Chair $109
3. Taupe Ehomeline Chair $120
4. Marina White Poly $124
5. St. Croix Contemporary $199
6. Solid Wood Adirondack Chair $230
7. Modern Adirondack Chair $249
8. Highwood Chair $298 (So similar to ours!)
9. Portside Outdoor Adirondack Chair $399
10. Malibu Metal Lounge Chair $999