Project Patio Begins
May 17, 2011
Some people have written to me asking, “Hey Kate, we’ve seen the close-ups of your flowering plants, but why have you never given us a full tour of your backyard?”
*crickets*
Okay, I’ll be completely frank. There are sections of our yard I’m rather proud of, like our grapevines, my lavender plants and my perennial beds which give me gorgeous blooms. Then there are sections that, truth be told, are still in an unfinished state, hence the silence on the backyard tour.
We have a very nice courtyard area next to the house (will show that on Thursday at the ‘Outdoor Ideas’ par-tay) but we also have a large patio area we’ve never fixed up, times are tight doncha know. We’ve grown Syrah grapes in our back hill for the last ten years (you can spy them growing to the left) and this is the one area of our yard that has the best view. But as you can see, as of today, this space has nothing going for it except a pretty good BBQ.
I have a decent set of outdoor furniture, but my cushions are several years old and the fabric is ripped and in my opinion, pretty gross. This patio zone has been in need of some serious help for some time. The other day, I was contacted by American Express Membership Rewards, offering me access to points to show people how to spruce up an outdoor space. Count me in, cause I have the perfect space that is in dire need!
The assignment? Create a stylish outdoor space that provides shade and comfort to relax and entertain guests in the summer months. Also, we plan to fill in this circular patio (below) I mentioned earlier this year as part of our Home Goals of 2011. I’m not quite sure how at the moment, but I’m looking at all options, including mosaic tile and various stones.
I need your advice. I’m still coming up with a design plan, but I need to know, what do you see happening in this space? A pergola or cabana? An outdoor rug, new cushions, planters, a few outdoor accessories? That’s what I have in mind so far. I would love to hear what you think I should do. Those of you who have tackled this kind of patio, what do you recommend? Tile, flagstone, slate, cement? Do share your tips.
I will be redeeming points and shopping at these specific retailers: Home Depot, Kohls, Crate + Barrel, Pottery Barn, West Elm, and Restoration Hardware. There is so much potential here, so stay tuned for all the updates over the next few weeks as we transform this space with a few DIY projects!
Disclosure: I have been provided with 150,000 complimentary American Express Membership Rewards points to spruce up this outdoor space.
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Tags: american express rewards, patio
AHHH! I’ve been waiting for an outdoor feature! I absolutely love doing (well….daydreaming) things to my outdoor landscape. I’ve always wanted to make one of those water fountains out of a pot….if you happen to make one, of course include a toutorial! I think the sound of water is so peaceful. BTW, love the flowers you’ve got going on there….great bones to start with. I’m sure whatever you decide to do will be fantastic, as always! I’m a blogstalker of yours, never posted yet, so this is a first for me. :)
Paint the concrete with a stenciled pattern! It would be like a rug, but not as expected. Do a really pretty italian type pattern to go with your grapes – then if you mosaic the circular patio you’ll have your own little piece of italy! A pergola over half of it, and a long bench along the wall!
I guess it really depends on the budget you have to work with… A rug, some nice cushions and pillows, along with some small tables with accessories would be relatively inexpensive. Why don’t you move the furniture you have into the circular patio (will it fit?) and then get a table with chairs to put in the rectangle area so you can eat out there?
We redid our backyard a few years back…made it into a nice living area outdoors and we LOVE it. We eat outside nearly every night in the spring, summer and early fall – and we hang out on the patio all the time. There are pix on my blog if you want to check it out.
Good luck – and have fun!
~alicia
proof-of-love.blogspot.com
What kind of sun do you get over that patio? The view of the vines is gorgeous, I would be hesitant to reduce that kind of view.
I think a water feature of some sort would be great in that circular spot – and it complments the vibe of your house. I would certainly recommend you consider how the other side of your house looks (colors, stone, etc) and tie that into the rear. That gives the home balance, esp if you have features inside that are consisten with the outside.
My two cents. :)
Good luck!
I think a circular fire pit in the middle would be just lovely! year around s’mores? yes puhlease!
O.K. Um, the potential is wildly unbelievable. In fact the backyard is already unbelievable. I jumped right to the end of the comments in all my excitement so excuse me if these suggestions have already been made. First … I can’t tell if your patio circle is flat or indented. Either way an inexpensive, easy fix to make it not look so much like a slab of concrete would be to fill it in with … wait for it … fake grass. They make beautiful fake grass now. Trust me. Beautiful. To fill it in with real grass would be a bit of a pain in terms of mowing. You could also fill the circle in with creeping Thyme which smells delicious when you walk on it or tiny round stones. You know the kind I mean. I can’t tell the configuration but it might also be ideal for a fire pit. Not an ugly fire pit. A nice fire pit.
Having lived through the nightmare of outdoor cushions many times I would not go for outdoor cushions unless you can get them in Sunbrella fabric. I’m gradually switching all my outdoor furniture to “non cushion”. And don’t forget outdoor furniture can be indoor furniture too. Like modern plastic S chairs, or anything else that won’t rot to bits when it’s left outside.
I’ve worked w/ both flagstone and slate in my backyard and the flagstone is much more durable. Slate is very prettier, but shaley and has a tendency to disintegrate over time. Many years of course … but still.
O.K. I have many more ideas but I already feel completely obnoxious for leaving such a huge comment. Good luck! So much FUN. ~ k
This is what I see in my mind’s eye:
1. White pergola for some shade.
2. Bluestone patio floor
3. Pretty chandy hanging from pergola.
4. A huge ceramic vase/water fountain in the circular patio.
The plants you already have are just beautiful! :)
Have fun with your makeover!!! Looking forward to your completed project photos!
xoxo laurie
I see a Cabana, with roll up sides, (think Out of Africa) with a outdoor bed for two!
WOW! What an amazing opportunity! I see a pergola for sure – but nothing too large or overbearing to change the open feel of the space, which I love so much! Or even hang outdoor curtains somehow that you can pull back for the sun to come in, or leave closed for privacy? Little white lights for the evenings, comfortable floor cushions to balance the metal chairs, one dominant color – maybe green? With cream and black accents. Planter stools with lanterns and a slate surface. Is there enough room on the circular patio to create a fire pit?
ROUND FIRE PIT AND SEATING FOR THE UNUSED ROUND SPACE!!! I KNOW YOU WILL DRAW YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS EACH SUMMER EVENING TO RELAX, CATCH UP ON THE DAY, AND START THE WEEKENDS!!!
HUGS FROM MY HEART
We have a patio home and in our courtyard, we have a round patiomade out of pavers. There is a walkway going from this area to our side patio door, where there is a square patio, with a walway that leads to a wrought iron gate that leads you to the front of our home. I dont know how to get pictures to you, but we are very proud of how it looks.
Kate, what a wonderful property you have. Your patios have so much potential and I know whatever you come up with is going to be amazing! Can’t wait to see!
Have you thought about a glass mosaic, I am thinking almost like a terrazo pattern to add some color to the patio, I think it would be beautiful with a pergola of course. Or even a fountain with some glass mosaic around it. A fire pit or outdoor fireplace would be nice too…
I see big zinc (or maybe galvanized metal) planters, an outdoor rug, definitely some sort of pergola structure in the square area. One of PB’s cool outdoor accent tables in between two of your existing chairs.
And lights in the pergola! PB had round bulb outdoor twinkle lights a few years back that were so perfect. I’m sure HD has something similar.
Maybe tumbled rock pavers in your circular patio area?? I think a smaller scale stone would add more visual interest.
Fire pit with seating around it. You need a water feature of some kind, perhaps behind and coming over the wall on the left. Use stone it is completely low maintenance and natural. Gorgeous pillow cushions with some soft, cozy, pillows. A pergola with grapevine growing over the top. Keep it natural with lots of live elements. You are lucky to have such a fantastic space and it sounds like some good reward points, etc. to make your dreams come true!
I can see a flagstone terrace patio floor where your chairs are now, And also a huge 3 tiered fountain in the middle of the circular patio, surrounded by large river rock or white goose egg rock and pots of hibiscus and palms. I suggest flagstone because it holds up so much better than todays slate which can chip and shred after a few years, unless you can get the really old slate that they used in city sidewalks in the early 1900′s. Stay away from the small rectangular slate sold in todays super hardware stores, they don’t last. I know whatever you do it will turn out awesome. Can’t wait to see it.
Go with a pergola. Don’t obstruct your wonderful view too much. A firepit would be nice, but I definitely would include a fountain. You’ll want the calming, tranquil sound of the trickling water. Can’t wait to see the finished project.
I see a gazebo or round pergola in the circle or stones put in a circular pattern. I’d put a round table in that area, weither you cover it or not. If you decide to have a long table in the other area, near the BBQ, I’d put a 3 piece bisto set in the circle. I wish my home had such lovely patios. I still have mud. Even after 14 years, like you said..times are tough. Home Goods has great prices on Outdoor Cushions. Your view of the grape vines is so lovely. Do you make wine? I have friends that have a winery in Northern California. I know that what ever you decide it is going to be gorgeous.
For the circular patio it is a no brainer – a compass rose! Either using paint or tile depending on time and $. The outside “lip” could have some type of inspirational phrase inscribed around the compass rose. Good luck
Sorry, i’m not much help with suggestions but if you ever feel like giving a “tour” of the perenials shown in the above pictures i would LOVE it! They look beautiful! i’m trying to establish perenials around our house right now and I am so lost….i would love to know the names of all the plants/flowers you have growing! :)
I love the list of stores where you can redeem your reward points. All favorites.
fondly,
Glenda
I think you should put in a “splash zone” in the circular area. It can be a patio, a fountain, or a mini water park feature for your children. You don’t have to worry about safety and maintenance of a pool and you can turn it off for a dry space or use it with lights at night for a dramatic water feature or back drop for entertaining. I think it would be spectacular! Good luck – staying tuned to watch your progress with great eagerness. :-)
I’m a huge fan of pergolas, so I vote for that over the cabana. Also all the pretty bushes will show through better and your great view. I’m loving the stone work on the round part of the patio, so I would continue that on the floor here, cost permitting, and then spruce up with some beautiful pillows. Go neutral on the chair cushions, and accent with fun toss pillows. If you can’t add the stone to the floor, I’d paint in a similar toned “rug”, or buy an outdoor rug in the same tones as your stone patio.
We had some problem areas in our yard, too. Last spring we had an area that stayed kinda damp and with little grass made into a patio area with flagstones. We couldn’t have been happier with the results. Then in October, we ended up contacting a man when we saw the outdoor fireplaces he had built. I had a friend with a lovely patio area and a fireplace that I just loved. Long story short…we have a beautiful fireplace with the patio and then later had him create an additional patio. We feel like we have added two rooms to our house!
Whatever you do, I would have to make that circluar area a star! I think blue slate or flagstones would look great. Are you interested in putting in a fountain? I like the idea of a firepit with seating that someone else mentioned, too. Good Luck! Can’t wait to see what you do.
Pergola for sure! enclosed by some of that grapevine you have!
A nice star as @marsha mentioned, design tile/stone design in the circular section, Creeping time between the stones.
Pallet like table with wheels.
Depends on what you want to utilize that outdoor area for..