A Back Yard Design Project Aided By Photo Image Design

Through the use of Photo Image Design we explored several options to create an inviting back yard.  The goals were to create a shade and an environment that would lend itself well to frequent entertaining. To meet these goals multiple outdoor features were considered.

Designing the patio

A before view of the area that will become a larger patio

Intitally we explored creating an outdoor fire pit, adding a wall to create an outdoor room, and adding a small pergola over the french doors to provide the desired shade in house during the summer months.

Second, we explored adding a small water feature and large pergola to provide shade on the deck.

In our third design exploration we tried a less formal look with a retractable awning for shade on the deck, and pond next to the patio.

The selected design was a combination of design ideas. The wall was shortened, the fire pit and water features were eliminated and an awning was pruchased for the deck. The clients may add the the fire pit and water feature in the future.

   

Deciding where to locate the porch

We used Photo Image Design to determine the best location of the porch relative to the back entry to the kitchen. Travel would either take place along the back of the house or along the side of the house.

This photo faces the back of the house before the work is done.

In this design we relocate the pond and replace the fireplace with a firepit. The proposed porch would be located where I am standing to shoot this photo and travel would occur along the side of the house.

In this design we place the porch in a location in line with the back axis of the house. This design offers a more contemporary look with large flagstone, an awning and a gas firepit with glass medium.  A pond is located off of the porch.

In this design the pond is eliminated and different styles and materials for porch and patio are examined.  The style is more traditional/casual.

In this design we reconsidered the porch across from the entry and incorporated a downscale outdoor kitchen, with a “custom built” curved pergola for shade (my drawing here!) 

This is the Just-finished project. The pond feature was eliminated and replaced by garden and lawn.

Creating an entrance to the back yard

This the before photo

The client had decided that they wanted a gazebo and they were still considering a pond feture.

 

Once it was decided that the porch would be loacted across from the entry, it was clear that the steps from the house to the porch wold be inconvenient.  We regraded to one level and moved the steps to the entry point for the back yard.

This is the finished design with the pond feature eliminated and replaced by garden and lawn.