Outdoor living spaces

One of the reasons why I am primarily concerned with lot size is because I'm an avid gardener and want to design, create, and build a KICK-A$$ backyard.

I've been dreaming of this for years, creating an outdoor living area. Having big french doors that open onto a stone patio with an overhang, a trellis with some kind of climbing flowers, and a koi pond closeby.

I'm dreaming big, I know it. And I know it will take a looooong time to accomplish.

I was just wondering if anyone had any back porch kind of area that they spend time on, eat meals on, etc. I'd love some ideas, tips, tricks, warnings, etc.

Re: Outdoor living spaces

I grew up in a house that had a large front porch. My mom wasn't really a gardener, but loves sitting out there and reading the paper. Whenever we would want to talk privately, we would sit out there. It was great in the summers with parties and such. I would love a porch!

Re: Outdoor living spaces

We had a 16X33 deck built on the back of our levitt cape. We put a table with 8 chairs, a wicker set, our fire pit, and a Park bench on the deck so far...There is still a lot of room....

In the future we are doing a PVC fence around the yard - because right now the yard is very open and there is no privacy at all. I also want to put in a Koi Pond with possibly a waterfall.....

Scott

Re: Outdoor living spaces

Sounds heavenly.

Anyone have pictures?? I'd love to see it.

Re: Outdoor living spaces

I have pics of the deck b4 we put everything on it - its huge
Scott

Re: Outdoor living spaces

I would say to let your imagination go wild but make sure you keep a level of functionality too.

Take a look at this site:

HGTV


Here are a few of my favorites ( I am partial to the country theme ):

Message edited 10/19/2006 3:19:07 PM.

Re: Outdoor living spaces

You would love my parents yard. They have a huge trex deck- they built it around this old tree- theres a square of benches boxing out the tree. They have their jaccuzi, 4 different table and chair sets, and little white lights strung up the tree. It looks like a cafe, I LOVE it out there. The yard is impecibly landscaped, my dad is retired, so he takes care of it. There are 5 or 6 antique birdhouses, so theres all sorts of bird families that live in their yard- Oriols and Robins mostly.
They have a small coi pond, built into the railroad tied section, so it's at waist level, really cute. I will have to take some pics for you!

Re: Outdoor living spaces

Re: Outdoor living spaces

Diane, that second pic is really close to what I envisioned! I agree, keeping an idea on functionality is important - I could get totally carried away.

Lauren, I would LOVE to see pictures! That's great that they incorporated the tree into the plans instead of cutting it down too. I'm a part-time birding hobbyist so that's also a reason I want some form of water in the backyard. It really draws the birds in.

It sounds like paradise. My kind of paradise.