Help me with my patio (home improvement)

928ram · 04-19-2005, 06:01 AM

I'm low on ideas for what to do with our patio, here's a pic of the space in question, approx 22x12 and fully covered. We plan to use this spot alot since it's out of the weather, BBQ will go on the lower step and possibly extend into the sunlight with a small wood deck.
The main "problem" is the concrete floor/brick steps, these need to be upgraded. On the table thus far: 1) slate or unpolished granite (around $2500 seems a bit much for a patio floor, but this idea is in the lead) 2) Wood decking to match the floor elevation in the house (not unsurmountable problem with garage door (left in pic) being level with outside floor-but it swings in).
Blue ceiling will be replaced/repainted, I might use stucco or siding to tone down some of the brick on the walls.
We want this area to be nice for outdoor entertaining, but also would like a nice view out of the three windows here. Basic plans are for some nice patio furniture (bar too?), and the BBQ; there's also a fan/light hidden by the greenhouse (gone now).

Any ideas??

stomachmonkey · 04-19-2005, 06:06 AM

If you use stucco you'll just have the same issue of overpowering walls, just in a different material.

Rather than use stucco to hide the brick I'd opt for some nice wrought iron trellase with an ivy to break up the brick.

You could also put in a wall mounted fountain or two for ambience.

928ram · 04-19-2005, 06:22 AM

Excellent ideas, thanks. That would give it more of an urban courtyard feel, rather than the rear of the county jail look it has now.

Overpaid Slacker · 04-19-2005, 06:40 AM

OK, I know that this is going to sound tacky, but if it's done right it looks great. You can stucco/plaster the brick and have the stucco "artfully" chipped/broken so some brick shows through. Painting the stucco a festive color (with a couple of fountains -- great idea Scott!) might also punch up that area. I used a very vivid yellow/orange color on a patio I had in Brooklyn where mortar had been used over the brickwork and had started to crack off. Also, factor flora into the plan, don't just add it as an afterthought.

Your signature doesn't indicate where you are, but if you go w/ stucco as above, think about outdoor tile and/or patio brickwork for the floor. Just MHO, but in such a space, the slate will look bland.

What I'd do is pick a theme for the space (southwestern, asian/Japanese, tiki bar, whatever -- you've already eliminated county jail, so that's progress) and fiddle with design elements of the theme for a bit.

JP

island911 · 04-19-2005, 09:44 AM

Vault the ceiling.

. . ...or lots of lights.

928ram · 04-19-2005, 10:32 AM

Quote:

OK, I know that this is going to sound tacky, but if it's done right it looks great. You can stucco/plaster the brick and have the stucco "artfully" chipped/broken so some brick shows through. Painting the

We saw this on some home design show on the tube; wife says "no". I like the idea myself.

Quote:

Your signature doesn't indicate where you are, but if you go w/ stucco as above, think about outdoor tile and/or patio brickwork for the floor. Just MHO, but in such a space, the slate will look bland.

The house is in southern AL. Tile is a definate maybe, but we aren't finding anything that wows us style-wise against the brick. The slate or granite would look good against the brick (wife's #1 choice), but I think it may make the area too dark.

Quote:

tiki bar

I'm all over this, but the reception is a bit cool. Ah, those wasted weekends in Islamorada and Key West....

stomachmonkey · 04-19-2005, 11:05 AM

The window on the right, what room does it belong to? Kitchen, bedroom? If bedroom, whose?

928ram · 04-19-2005, 11:18 AM

The window on the right is from the family room, there's actually a second one just like it hidden behind the greenhouse thing. There is also a double window dead ahead behind the greenhouse that views from the dinette area/kitchen

928ram · 04-19-2005, 11:23 AM

Quote:

How about that textured concrete for the floor? They can make it look like pretty well anything and its bound to be cheaper than granite or slate. Probably more durable too.

I'm not sure that concrete would be strong enough poured that thin?? There are alot of options with the sprayed/troweled deck topping that they use for pool decks in FL, but I haven't found anyone local that does that.

928ram · 04-19-2005, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Vault the ceiling.

This is an excellent idea! And a skylight.
The roof there is actually the main house roof, but with 2 outside walls 12' apart I should be able to do just about anything structure-wise.

stomachmonkey · 04-19-2005, 11:31 AM

COOOL!

I like the thought of making it one level with wood decking. You have the ceiling height for it. Extend and transition the wood deck into the yard.

Ditch the granite idea, take the $2000 you'll have left from doing a wood deck, pull the windows and put in 2 sets of slding doors, one from the kichen and one from the family room.

It'll significantly reduce the amount of brick AND create a larger sense of space for the kitchen/ family room areas.

BTW, I'd suggest against puttin the BBQ under there, fire hazard.

Scott

just saw the vaulted ceiling post, good call.

928ram · 04-19-2005, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Ditch the granite idea, take the $2000 you'll have left from doing a wood deck, pull the windows and put in 2 sets of slding doors, one from the kichen and one from the family room.

I'm liking this idea (except maybe french doors rather than sliders). The family room is pretty large (500 sq ft) and centrally located, so natural light is nil and sliders/french door would add to this even from a shaded location. My only concern is that I'm a DIY guy and I don't know about tackling any cutting out of the brick if needed. This (all??) type of brick house is just a veneer over normal wood frame, so it's not like the house will fall down but I'm worried about big sections falling loose if I do the wrong thing.

RickM · RickM's Garage

I like the wrought iron with vines.

I'd likely add lots of plants and figure a way to incorporate Redwood or Cedar into the scheme. I think wood and brick look great together.

Overpaid Slacker · 04-19-2005, 12:34 PM

I agree w/ RickM. How do you think Redwood or Cedar wainscotting would look on at least the long, unbroken wall (similar to what the bars in formerly commercial/industrial spaces do). That might be great, and offset the brick from the floor enough so that other flooring options would blend better.

I assumed (for no reason other than I have a blunt imagination) that the ceiling was immobile. There are a lot of cool things you can do with that, including removing it and adding trellises on which to grow vines/ivy and/or putting up a wood lattice "roof". It'd be exposed to the weather, but it might be cooler (temp wise).

JP

stomachmonkey · 04-19-2005, 02:30 PM

yeah baby, french doors, if you do this right you'd have your own little garden cafe type thing going. Think New Orleans French Quarter. I like it a lot.

Was thinking on the way home, run a couple of small cozy benches along the garage wall, that'd be a great way to incorporate the cedar.

If you build the benches as "boxes" with doors on the front then you just picked up additional seating AND storage.

MFAFF · 04-20-2005, 10:10 AM

You gotta start by making sure the whole area inside and projecting into the garden is on the same level.

It will create the imporession of a much larger area instantly.

I think a wooden deck, possibly with a hard wood as opposed to soft wood would do the trick, remembe rit will bleach to a light grey quickly.

Far better acousticall as well between the two walls.

Do almost whatever you want to the roof/ ceiling, but keeping it as is an merely painting it white will help.

The walls ar ethe real issue...adding smooth render and painting it white would create quite a stark, minimalist feeling and throw light around the area well, including into the family room.

If you want to add colour then why not consider using good garden furniture with highly coloured cushions etc. These could be changed according to the season.

Simialarly if your deck is large enough you could have differnt types of plant in mobile planters and cycle thor them according to season.

If you add 'stuff' like bars and bar b-qs make sure they are sufficient well built in to feel they are really part of the overall design as opposed to 'add ons'. Nothin looks worse than a whole load of ideas thrown together masquerading a interior design.

Go for a signle clear idea and everyhting else hangs off of that.

RickM · RickM's Garage

OK.....ideas are evolving here. Perhaps an arch of both "plaster" and Teak, Cypress, Redwood or another wood type frame/molding.

You will do best by going to Barnes and Noble, HD mag section, internet etc and just look for ideas. Either whole or elements that you put together. I fancy the idea of making each space in and out of a house unique in it's feel.

I found these images on a French Country cottage rental website: http://www.historic-uk.com/EuropeanSelection/France/FrenchHolidayCottages-Provence.htm
There's lots more there.

stomachmonkey · 04-20-2005, 12:21 PM

Rick,

That's the feel that I was envisioning.

Lush, quiet, just makes you want to sit there and bust out a big bottle of Cab.

I'd love to have a layout that allowed me to create something like that.

You LA guys should know one of my favorite hang outs.

It's the pool at the Hotel Figueroa across from the Staples Center.

Love the feel of that place.

Scott

stomachmonkey · 04-20-2005, 12:27 PM

Veranda bar in the Hotel Figueroa.

928ram · 04-20-2005, 01:32 PM

Lots of cool ideas.
Something I had just thought of by looking at these pics is a faux stone product I saw watching one of the home remodel shows (not that vinyl stick-on stuff from the 70's). What they had was a concrete product that was cast in molds to emulate a variety of real stones, they were thin and installed with common grout. I think even faux stone would be easier on the eyes as well as open a whole world of design/color options.

The ceiling can most likely be raised or removed, the roof above it cannot, but skylight(s) would be no problem. I'll have to get into that corner of the attic to see what's there exactly, but even if I find some non-moveable trusses up there, I figure I can box them in with some type of trim or something and make them look cool.

RickM, good tip on the magazines. My wife is a wonderful woman who knows what she like when she sees it; but she just cannot visualize anything, so pictures are a must for her to see (and approve) these type projects.

40 days till moving day...and they can't come quick enough.