Which surface is best for me?

We are winding down on this redesign. This back yard says courtyard to me because it’s sunk down and surrounded by terraced flowerbeds and fencing. So my question is what do we do with this court yard? There are several options we could choose. I have been wrestling with this a bit.
We could choose to just grass the area. This gives a great natural feel which fits the yard. It is the least expensive approach. Troubles are that one, for such a small area we need to get out the mower. Two, we really wanted this area for setting out chairs and benches and with the grass the legs sink in and it is hard to mow moving the furniture. Three, the grass is hard on the legs as it keeps the moisture around them.
We could just choose to use an aggregate surface. It could be pea gravel or crushed stone. This would also give us a natural feel but eliminate the problems with mowing and the seating problems. It too has problems with keeping it looking good and it not being a solid surface for walking on. This would not be the choice of some.
Another way we could treat the area would be to use interlocking brick. This solves the problem of shifting under foot and gives a great solid surface to walk on. I think it would look great if it was done in a circle pattern creating focal point in the center. Though this would be the most expensive way of doing it, the least natural and the most formal.
Finally from my perspective here we could use wood on grade. Like making a deck right on the ground. This too would give us a solid surface with less upfront cost than the interlocking brick but more maintenance and less life span.
What do you think we should do? I personally like them all for different reasons that is why I have been wrestling with this. Any one of them done well works. My choice is for the interlocking brick. Why? Because I like to spend money? No. Because of the solid surface and because I really think the circle pattern would look great. Now all I have to do is convince the owners to spend the money.
I think this yard is going to give the owners a lot of pleasure and years of enjoyment.
Looking to give customers what they are looking for.

“Designing by the yard”

Fencing gives definition to the yard.

When it comes to fences some people are on one side or the other. Pun intended but it is true. We typically have a love hate relationship with fences. If we put it up we love it, but if the neighbor puts it up we hate it. Isn’t that true? Well whether you love them or hate them there are places where they just make sense. Then the question is design.
In the yard we are redesigning we have a street along the side of the yard and the front yard of the neighbor is right behind the yard. What do we do for some privacy? The neighbors are good so we don’t want to wall ourselves in but we want to create a visual barrier (some definition) in order to provide a more intimate yard. Therefore the fence wants to have some openness to it. I think a custom designed wood fence with some lattice opening would work great here about 5 feet high so when you are standing you can still look over it to talk to the neighbors. We will put this fence from the gate arbor back to the back corner and then all the way across the back. I think with the trees the way they are and the need for a bit of a work/ garbage area we will also put the fence from the corner of the shed to the back fence to create this work area with a gate to give access. I think we will also take the fence forward from the gate arbor along the side of the house but with a reduced height. This will give some continuity to the whole yard.
What do you think? Have you got the picture in your mind?
Well I think you have to agree that no matter whether you like fences or hate them a fence here will make this yard a whole lot more pleasant for the owner to sit out, relax and enjoy the yard in one of the lounger from “Teaks n More”.

“Designing by the yard”

Our Back Yard Design –Water gardens are a delight.

I don’t know about you but having water in your garden is absolutely delightful. More and more people are incorporating water into their back yard. The sound of water is soothing and it can also help drown out the sounds of city. Water attracts birds and butterflies and so much more that we delight in into our yard so I think it really is something I want in this yard we are looking at.
Some people think there is a lot of work to a water garden but there really isn’t. Yes there is some work in digging the hole and getting it put together and set up but once it is there is very little maintenance. I am not going to talk about the garden how to’s in this article any more just to say that I think it is worth all the effort and I’m sure those of you who have a water feature in your back yard will agree.
So looking at our back yard here where would you put one? One of the ways you get to hear the water is if there is a water fall or a stream where the water flowing over the rock give us the sound we are looking for. Another thing to keep in mind is size. It will have to be sized in proportion to our yard.

To this end I think if we can incorporate the water into the terraced area we will be able to get that water fall. I am thinking if we have a small pool in the first level of the terrace in the corner and then right above it between the lower one and the walk way would be perfect. We could have a short stream flowing into the top pond and a falls from it to the lower one. What do you think? They will be small but in proportion and easy to access (ie care for) and right where we can fully enjoy them visually as well.
I am excited about this I know it’s going to be great and make a delightful addition to our back yard design.

So till next time.
“Designing by the yard”