Do you know what kind of surface you want for the patio?

to Emily: It could be either concrete or wood or stone—open to anything at this point.

My suggestion is to eliminate steps all together by building your deck to the same level as your main living area....add bench seats around the window wells to let in the light and then plant very low flowering plants that can be seen out the well windows. Finish the area off adding a heavy rustic arbor that attaches to the house above your french doors and extend all the way out to the end of the house at the gable ends. If, railings are needed add flower boxes and full length steps down to the ground level. Just an idea from a Realtor/Developer in, TN.

I really like the idea of the deck and benches/plants around the wells. I am not sure about the arbor though. Wouldn't that cut out the light to the great room from the big windows/doors that would be covered by it?

I like Derek Merrill 's idea of building your deck same level of main area, and then you can build steps end of the deck.
My suggestion is build your deck with aluminum deck material since you are building from scratch. It is expensive than conventional deck material, but aluminum water-tight deck boards are virtually maintenance free, and it doesn't rot or fade like wood.

Happy Renovations,

I agree, using composite materials is the way to go. Type in "arbor" within the Houzz website and I think you will find a style that works great with your outdoor space...letting in plenty of natural light as well. Good luck!

nice house

Subdrains underneath, more rock, patio at level 3-6" below finish floor - one step out door. Whether deck or pavers, cut out cloverleaf corners for planting something evergreen, something climbing and if any arbor at all - do trainrack like over garage between upper and lower windows on wood brackets (pro wood market) on center wall only. . .depending on where south is, you probably will already have a lot of shade here. . .

Can do planter benches, or can do sit walls in front of corners left out - can even do herb gardens / kitchen gardens in addition to one concealing larger shrub . ..

Also build in planter along open end by box bay so length of deck is length of house including screen porch and bring stairs to door side / turn planter box at the corner on box bay side so view out formal room is charming .. plant evergreens that drain well in fiberglass liners to your planter boxes (unless you use pavers on rock fill and masonry planter walls - would last longest and be most charming in antique brick look . . . You can grade yard so grade is higher where steps come down with drains coming down both sides and slopes away into beds on each side / beyond stairs in lawn area . . .stick with no more than 5 to 1 and you will never notice / save stairs. Do integral lighting in the stairs and planters with extra outlets . . see you have already made provision for outdoor sconces on patio walls .. put them on dimmers so you can have mood lighting . .

old post

My offer are:Japanese maple,Damianita and a lovely fountain.