More potted plants, paint the pots with glow in the dark paint(Rustoleum makes some), add a fire pit with seating surrounding it and maybe a koi pond with water lillys. A flagstone pathway, also painted with the glow in the dark paint and you've got yourself one gorgeous yard! :D

I would be worried that after the winter flooding and the waters recede that the faux grass would be ruined after one season, unless you have something made that you could roll up and put away and have compacted granite base under it. Some pics attached of walkways, the last is gorgeous, then you could place some large colorful ceramic pots ( set of 3) along the walkway, place a piece of marble/tile on top of one to make a table, bring a couple of your chairs next to them, this would be 1/2 way to the water. Visually this will break up the grey expanse, not block the neighbors view and all could be taken in for the high water times. The image of the mushrooms could also be placed around, and painted any color/colors

What a lovely location...I look forward to seeing your ultimate solution!

Sunbev...
We have decided we want a Bocci Court.. May not go with Faux grass... But a clay/oyster surface ... If it washes away... Ohh well .. Easy to redo... With flagstone areas / raised veggie beds & large pots o flowers.. With seating areas of interest... With a hammock for my man!!! Lol

Sounds good let us see when you are done, I live on a lake, but envy your view!

How about a couple of bus-loads of Houzzers? We could all enjoy that gorgeous view, and you could enjoy us sharing endlessly creative ideas for - and on - the beach. BYOB, of course. ;)

Bubblyjock..
Great idea... Come on up..
BUT.. Don't furget your spay, hoe,
Shovel....n other diggin tools... We got the beer!!!! And a Kyak!

It appears that The Rock Shop is no longer there. Sorry about the delay getting the info back. I'm not sure of other sources for the "collectible" stones in Seattle area but I wish you well with however you choose to decorate.

BTW faux grass does get hot, hazardously, but I don't think that would be a problem on Cameno. The sea breezes and general lack of intense sunshine should prevent that problem. My bro and sis in Vegas were warned against faux grass because they had kids and in the Vegas heat the faux grass was known to give 2nd degree burns.

Was interested in the "different" rock quest, and found a place in West Seattle at egreenlandscaping.com. They sell something called rainbow rocks. While you may not want to do the whole beach over (you WOULD need buses of Houzzers for that), maybe they would be fun used in another small way in your new landscape.

I like the idea of a raised bed with grass with a fire pit then some flower or shrub pots. Hey, you have a nice problem!

I would look at existing shoreline plants in your area and do a natural beach planting design. In Monterey Ca our dunes are covered in natural plantings - take a look on line - and add a beach walkway/path in wood.

Wow I love it, how blessed you are to live there. Maybe you could add some grasses like (feather grass etc). Its beautiful, blows in the wind and would give you some different texture.

Break it up with some nicely placed boulders.

What about sculptures from local artists along with potted trees, grasses and flowers?

You're so fortunate to have a view of gorgeous water. You're just lacking the right frame. I'd suggest that you break it up in curves, so that you aren't looking down an expanse of anything, but your eye follows curving paths down to the shore. As for what those curves are, I'd suggest some standings of boulders (not tall to block the neighbor's view) and some mounding of rock and earth that you can plant some groundcover on. You could also outline a patio in darker stone/gravel for a table and chairs. You'll get a varied color by using different shades of gravel and stone and the use of curves will make it seem to move. I'd avoid any man-made products--this will look false and detract from the beauty of what you're blessed with.

Fire and water is always amazing. I would suggest a curved sectional with a portable gas fire pit. No ash or embers to ruin the amazing environment and if you want you can bring in a gas line, but if not, they work off a propane tank that sits inside. Add a relaxing hot tub for amazing hydrotherapy while enjoying your amazing view - Lucky you! . To find more ideas visit - www.Allbackyardfun.com

enclaveco if you read the beginning of the blog you will see that at a certain of the year the water level comes up onto the yard, do not think pools or hot tubs would work

I also live on a beach that gets flooded at times. I keep my arden in the back of the house where it cuts down on the wind and flooding. I still have to shovel beach rock out of it after nor'easters, but except for a few casualties, most all survive. i saw an article about a garden a women in CA had where she couldn't grow anything due to mounds and mounds of sand. She had tried adding soil, etc. with no luck. She decidied to go with the flow and used plants in different size pots along a sand walkway to the beach. She even mounded sand higher in the back and grew shrubs in larger pots. The down fall was she stated she had to water all everyday. Perhaps a smaller version of his idea would work if you used resin or lightweight tubs you could remove if you knew a storm was coming. i use what I call "wave blocks" which are nothing more than 2 x12" boards I have secured on each side of a couple of bluestone walkways to stop the the flow of rocks. They have to be shoveled out after the storm which is a pain but one of the things I know I have to put up with living where I do. So tubs and maybe a roll up wooden walkway made of cedar sold by wood summer furniture companies could give some dimension Be careful of walking stones and pavers as they nmay get flung against your house if your storms are as bad as the ones here.

So as to NOT create work for yourself, limit the number of plantings in pots (also...where to store them one the winter starts). I LOVE flagstone or slate as a walkway (LARGE pieces so they don't wash away). Two posts firmly planted in the ground for a hammock (don't want the posts to wash away when the water rises). And driftwood used as seating and to breakup the visual of all grey... I love your Bocce court idea!!! Good luck and hope to see the final project!!!

You may want to contact shorestewards@wsu.edu They can tell you about native plants that will grow along the shore. They are part of the Washington State university Island extension program. I used to live on Whidby and loved living on the island. I am sure that you must enjoy Camano!

Find out what your actual property line is. Being near water its mostly likely somewhere about high tide. Either way, build yourself a court yard with a beautiful open design iron gate leading to the water and framing the view. Plant around your court yard and create your own get-away garden. Maybe a small wondering curved path to your BBQ, a small dining area, the gate to the beach. Use drift wood to accent a sitting area or a little hidden area of interest. Turn around and look at your house from the back side. Seeing another perspective may give you more ideas on what would look good. Once you've enclosed it then you can go wild with the landscaping. Try to stick to landscaping which will complement your home and surrounding areas. Use the gray color gravel or stones in your paths. Plant vine type or taller plants in front and around your shed to hide it, or accent it and make the shed a focal point of your garden, paint it another color to draw attention to it? You have a lush forest behind you and beautiful color potted plants in front. You have the cool weather so use some ferns and cool weather plants. Above all, tie your landscape into the design of your home and what's around you. You're not living in a tropical area so palm trees won't do (get what I'm saying?) I would love to have your problem LOL. Good luck.

Gallery 815: Now that I'm looking at this once again (thanks notifications!) is there a different way to use your separate building that sits on the gravel? Does it get flooded during the winter (just curious)? I assume it's a storage for beach stuff, kayaks, etc. Could you make an opening in the shore-facing end of it and create the Camano version of a beach bar for summer? Build a ledge bar inside, cut sections in the siding, hinge them, attach some posts to hold them up? Put the kayaks as decor on the outside for summer...sort of the NW version of surfboards. You could put that sailcoth covered seating area I mentioned earlier adjacent. Might be a fun party space.

Sorta a Jimmy Buffett vibe!!!

Just let me know when to head north. In jeans and a jacket, of course. :)

Annually gets covered by salt weater storms ... now that's a design problem I've never encountered!

Nice challenge, especially because I'm in AZ:

Permanent Changes: Anything you install is going to have to be REALLY well anchored, on pilings, or so heavy the water can't move it. And you probably can't or don't want to mess with the water's edge.

Boulders?

Plants: Any "normal" landscaping plant is going to die in the salt water. What plants can grow in a salt marsh, or survive regular flooding? Check the local nature centers and dunes conservation districts to see if there is anything for annual flooding areas, either annual or perennial.

Plants in pots you can rescue as needed would work, as would deck chairs and an umbrella and a cold glass of wine ...

Temporary: You could do a lot with removable modular "duckboard" decking for patios and walkways that you remove and store when the winter tides start coming. That way you can repair the pebbles, rake them flat and set out a different design every year.

A duckboard is a lot like a 1-sided pallet - 2 or 3 crossbars with the slats to walk on nailed or screwed to them. I recommend marine-quality screws, or use salvaged wood and discard and remake them when they fall apart.

Bright colors? Maybe an 8x8 pattern to make a giant chess or mchecker board?

two words, container garden! Use all terra cotta pots (they are inexpensive and it will give your garden continuity, as well as showing off the plants and even little trees), different shapes and sizes and plant veggies, citrus trees, herbs, seasonal flowering plants. You can move them around to create different paths... throw some seating areas in for reading books, coffee in the morning or parties...what looks like a barren space is a blank canvas for you. So many plants and little trees are happy to grow in containers and you have endless possibilities to create paths and spaces for seating.

NWduck.... Work party!!!! Dress up For After Party!!!! Lol

We contacted BOCCIMON .. Tom..up in Bellingham.. On how to build a bocci court... We will go up next week.. N play some bocci!!
We will be taking a lot of various suggestions...

I love the Red and Gold Arizona Sandstone.. Just have to find it I this area!

New seating area .. For sure... Table n Chairs with Umbrella as well as more Lounge chairs

At least 3 more planter boxes for Veggies

And large containers for Flowers..... That are All similar ...

And yes... No straight lines on the stones... Yes... Use of Natural Materials...

No Swimming pool... We have perfectly good swimming in Port Susan.. And we launch a dock ea summer... And Iffy on hot tub..

Love All the input!!!!

Would it be safe for me to wear green and yellow in Washington? If so, I'm packing my garden gloves, shovel and cooler. :)

NWduck...
Took me a minute ... It's ok if yu r a duck ...I lived in PDX.. It's the Beach Dearie... Yu don't have to match.... If we were back East... Well what to wear to a Garden Work Party is a TOTALLY different story!

Searching closet for east coast attire just in case it's needed for another Design Dilemma invite . This may take awhile. I think it's in storage.

I would build a deck and then add some chairs and build a man made creek that the tide can flow into

I noticed that your outdoor furniture is also gray, and the house is a blue-gray; it might help to add color in these areas so you aren't surrounded by gray. Yellow might brighten the spot.

Colorful lawn furniture would brighten things up and it can be moved out of the way in the winter when the tide comes too close. You could also buy a large outdoor area rug to use with your colorful lawn furniture, it would give the appearance of a patio area, and could also be moved out of the way when necessary. I don't know if a patio table umbrella would work there, it might be too windy, but that would definitely add a pop of color. Make a pathway of potted plants or use shepherd's crooks to hang plants if they will go into the ground there. Or build an outdoor "room" using potted plants, large, small or varying sizes. Large ones would give you some privacy if you need it. String some lights around, they really add some ambiance. All of these thing can be moved and rearranged without too much trouble. You have a nice place, I like the colorful plants on your deck. You could extend the area beyond your deck with these moveable items. Post some more pictures when you work it out. Have fun!

You could add some large boulder size rocks as seating and when weather permits stake beach umbrellas to shade them. The boulders would not wash out with the tide...course if you have boats in close to shore, that may be a hazard unless they were large enough not to be completely submerged at high tide.

The salt water in the yard issue happens periodically, it takes the combination of a high tide and about 50 mph winds from the South East and always happens in winter. It has happened maybe 8 times in the last 15 years and is unpredictable. The water can be up to about 8 inches deep and extends all the way from the bulk head at the water to the slope near the house that is about 3 to 4 feet higher than the yard. The issue is that waves breaking on the bulkhead splash over the top and the water is trapped there until it drains through the sand that was used to fill the area when the bulkhead was put in along time ago. When we have had floods before most of the earth movement was along the bulk head where the rock and fill is pushed into a bit of a "Dune line" 10 to 15 feet into the yard, That takes a bit of raking and pushing the fill back to a level position. The property line for us is well defined by fences between us and the neighbors and the property line on the beach is at the mean low tide line which is way out past the bulkhead by another hundred and fifty feet or more, nothing to be done out there except keep the oysters we are growing happy!

I love the bocci court that lines up with our steps down to the yard and making it robust enough that it won't float away when it floods and the top is above the height of the bulkhead so we can try to keep water from taking too much of the surface away. We figured we could go 10'x50' and that leaves us about 15 feet to the bulkhead where all the really bad earth movement happens periodically. Using the bocci court to divide the yard and flagstones and potted plants to make a path and seating area for a table chairs and some sort of sunshade along side the bocce court sounds real nice!!

I also like the idea of making the shed into something more and yes it is wired for power and it does get wet when the yard floods but thankfully all the power except the mains coming from the house are above the flood line and the mains are waterproof so far. So many of the suggestions for the back yard would work great, the only real problem has been things that float which will move around the yard and any type of plants that can't survive the very rare soaking with salt water.

We have plenty of drift wood on the beach and things wash up from time to time that we incorporate into the yard, the steps were made with wood that washed up on the beach after one of those big storm, and I have a very stout work table and vice from found creosoted logs and shiplap cedar bridge decking (the vice was found half buried under some plants behind the shed. The beach below the bulkhead has a slant on it that also manages to deposit beach rocks according to their size, so we can get 1-2" stones of various colors from a certain band and smaller pea size gravel from another band. I collect rocks periodically to put larger stones under the shrubs to act as a mulch.

I love this site and am happy Gallery 815 asked you guys for help!! Thank you all!

Pebble Stone Coatings is a really great option!! They use an all natural pebble product that will surface that outdoor area for years to come. Its completely durable in all weather types and can be easily fixed if necessary. You can add designs and pick the colors that best suit that area. Its something to consider. www.pebblestonecoatings.com

Sunbev: what is that gorgeous walkway (3rd pic) made of? Love it!

Why not have some palm trees in tubs?

And a few pink flamingos to go with them :-)

Coconut palms thrive well by the sea and there is a big demand today for coconuts due it's medicinal value. This of course is if coconut palms can be grown in your area. If grown on the ground it should enhance the view I think. In the tropics, this is the most useful tree and nothing goes to waste. The beginning of an experiment maybe. There are dwarf varieties. Sorry if I am talking out of turn. My country is full of coconut trees but this image is taken off the internet.

What about a floating deck, which settles on four pillars when tide is out giving you another seating area. Large boulders to get to the deck with similar pillars housing solar lighting for a great evening effect!

Hi Design Dilemma, I think there are many ways for your problem to be solved. You can go with Colored flagstones, you can go with gardening in your back yard. Various plantation like ceiling plantation, pot planting, or convert it into sitting area. Check out this link for more ideas www.rugsandblinds.com/5-decorative-ideas-to-enliven-your-backyard.aspx

Hi Maria Tompkins
Awesome... As this is the direction we are heading..
Bocci Court... Raised Veggie Beds.. Large flower containers
Mid yard table/umbrella seating...
Now to find the flagstones... Love the red flagstones..

You could also use colored slate if you can't locate the red flagstone.

engineered stone paving tile for exterior floors (wood look deck tile) TENNESSEE PIERRA

Hey Galleria, are you still there?
Relax about the flooding, that is Mother Nature telling you that all is well and the lake is being regenerated for another year.
Your trouble is that you are surrounded by too much beauty - you are spoiled - face it.

My serious suggestion is to limit your view of the lake and make it more interesting when it is not wide open.

Envision this. At each corner of your property and inward for a ways, you build two raised beds say 4-5' high. They are built to look just like seawalls. You know, vertical railroad tie-like 8x8s with a horizontal 2x12 just below the top, all a bleached gray - you know the look. One bed at each side but not symmetrical or equal. The same height and construction, but one at one side with one large tree and a small tree in it and one at the other side with two or three trees in it, deep-rooted trees, that will thrive in the raised bed.

You then view the ground-level activity at the lake from the house, only through the gap in between, and the trees add a filter to all the activity on the lake and beyond. Much more interesting. Adds a little more interest or mystery to the view that is otherwise wide open.

Too much beauty. control the view.

cascio.offsite@gmail.com

Agree with you Cascio. A bit of mystery and allure.

Agree with you Cascio. A bit of mystery and allure.