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Lazy Days
I'm a writer who specializes in home and hearth subjects and the author of 22 books. My current home, which sits on the edge of a pond, is my favorite of all the houses I've owned. Every square inch of it is perfect for me, especially the huge windows that face the pond.
I'm a writer who specializes in home and hearth subjects and the author... More »
A porch or patio should look like a natural extension of the house rather than an afterthought. The colors, materials and details should harmonize with the house and the furnishings and accessories should create an immediate sense of welcome.
Landscaping and lighting should be planned with safety and security in mind. Illuminate all pathways and make sure plantings do not obscure entrances.
Landscaping and lighting should be planned with safety and security in mind. Illuminate all pathways and make sure plantings do not obscure entrances.
A large expanse of concrete can look cold and boring. Gaps between sections let you add plants that create colorful breaks. Choose moss-like plants that stand up to foot traffic, such as Sagina Subulata, or a sedum.
This flagstone patio merges indoor and outdoor spaces. Set in mortar, it's easy to clean and maintain and provides an ideal segue to the dry-laid flagstone path running to the landscape beyond the house. The colors of the stone repeat the colors of the walls and the roof of the house, which ties everything together nicely.
This wrap-around porch welcomes guests and offers family and friends wide open spaces for casual entertaining. Painted wood floors can be extremely durable when you use special formulas, such as porch floor or marine paint. Although this paint comes in many colors, white and gray are traditional in most regions.
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The somewhat random pattern of the stone floor emphasizes the irregular shape of this patio, making a strength from what might otherwise have been perceived to be a weakness. Bold, unstructured plantings contribute to the eclectic nature of the garden setting.
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Repeating a material from the structure for the patio floor is nearly always a good choice. Here, a red brick floor echoes the red brick walls and a buff colored patio table repeats the color of the capstone.
| Square or rectangular patios can be made more interesting by adding unexpected curves. Here, a planting bed rounds off one corner and a raised bed frames a wall fountain. The arms and legs of the patio furniture throw in an additional curve or two. |
Cobblestone adds texture to this otherwise plain space. The understated background places the focus on the patio's unique furnishings.
Accessories extend the season for this luxurious porch. An enormous wood burning fireplace warms the space in fall and spring, and a ceiling fan creates a welcome breeze is summer. The hearth also doubles as extra seating for parties.
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An outdoor kitchen and entertainment center turns this patio into an extension of the house itself. A large stone fireplace anchors the cooking center, which also includes a gas grill and generous work surfaces. A small niche provides storage space.
Comments
Kit Pollard I really love the lanterns and pots in the top picture. Of course, today it's raining where I am, so I really love ALL the pictures!
4 years ago · Like
patscats2 These are really neat, with the exception of that cobblestone one. Who could walk on that? Very impractical
3 years ago · Like
dsp4316 I am doing a flagstone patio this summer and will post b4 and afters!
3 years ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Sept. 6, 2009.
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