My Patio Renovation: The Ideas
As you may have seen on Instagram, I’m kicking off a patio renovation next week so it’s ready for summer, and we are SO excited. We LIVE outside in the summer, and our old brick patio desperately needs to be replaced, as well as the plantings around it. We’ve sketched out an idea of what we want for our contractor, including a large space with built in gas fire put and a short stone wall dividing the patio from the yard. This will give us room for dining, sofas/a sectional and a couple chaises.
We initially wanted to add a gunite pool down behind our barn – which has two lower bays that would have easily been made into a pool house – but the quote was astronomical, as they have been lately in this area. Adding to the cost of labor is the cost of the retaining walls we would need to build to create a level pool, of course made of fieldstone, and the patio deck itself, also stone. Plus 6′ high fencing around the property, running water and gas, new landscaping… it was basically the cost of another house, to be honest, so we abandoned those plans, and instead focused just on the patio for now.
And yes, many of you sent me messages about Soake Pools, and we did consider one up by the patio. We may add one, but the costs are already pretty high so I’m not sure it’s in the cards, as much as I’d like it to be! We have friends who have these and LOVE them, and our kids would be thrilled and we’d probably use it a lot, but being financially responsible is one of those annoying qualities I have and this adds on another 80k so… sorry kids. Inflatable pool it is for you :)
Anyways, I’m firming up the plans and drawings, which I will share, but right now I’m trying to envision it done and what I’ll use to dress it up :). This is the fun stage before any equipment digs up the yard! Here are two slightly different looks I’m toying with – one a little more contemporary/sleek and another more traditional.
The patio itself will most likely be done in Silver Ridge granite or Blue Mist granite. We of course wanted Bluestone but have been advised by a few people that it conducts SO much heat it can be unbearable to walk on in the summer (and this patio will get direct sun). So these stone looks a bit like Bluestone but are a bit cooler and more durable. Below, Silver Ridge top and Blue Mist bottom.
Click images for links!
I do love a good outdoor sectional, so this fits the bill. Also, being someone who is terrible about taking cushions in or covering furniture, these mesh chaises are actually great (and keep you cooler in the summer).
This version leans ever so slightly more English Garden with the black metal additions and painted wood planters. Not quite as “comfy” feeling, but very pretty and polished. Same dining set in both options as I already have those chairs and they are great!
Which do you prefer? Any tips from your own patio renovations you think I should hear? Share away!
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They both look great! I am drawn a little bit more to #1, but wondering if you can do some mixing and matching or accessorizing to get some pops of black (or another dark color) for contrast with less commitment?
Also Team Sectional all day. I’ve had different types of outdoor furniture and nothing beats it for entertaining or relaxing. #1 says “Come on in! Sprawl if you want and relax.” #2 says “Please sit upright.”
How fun! I really love option #1. Also, as a Texan, I’m jealous you can enjoy your outdoor space in the summer – we have to stay in the A/C all summer.
Also, thank you for being honest about not being able to “do it all” because of costs. It’s refreshing. ;)
We went with the wicker outdoor furniture with built in cushion covers from liveouter.com and highly recommend. There’s no need to drag out separate furniture covers or bring in the cushions. The sectional is deep and comfortable. They only sell online but are happy to arrange for you to visit a local customer’s home to see it before you order.
This plan looks so great! One thing I will say, we did a firepit in our patio reno and I really wish we had done an outdoor fireplace instead! The heat from the firepit basically just goes straight up so my fantasies of sitting outside by the fire during the cooler nights haven’t really materialized – I think a fireplace would provide more warmth to those sitting by it and we’d get more use out of the space longer into the winter and earlier in the spring. Can’t wait to see this come together!
I’m a designer for Pottery Barn so of course I choose option one. I own Huntington collection and can attest to its quality and timeless style
At the risk of sounding…déclassé…a hot tub would be a great addition. Don’t cringe. Kids love a hot tub. In Maine we use ours year round and it’s built into our deck. You can have your contractor do wide platform steps. I can send pics if you want – think about it!
#1 is the most appealing (I have similar scheme) works well with all the plants and flowers.
Love both but prefer #1
This IS going to be FUN!! Course, I lean towards Tudor…but, both are SO GOOD with your architecture!! Onward…franki
Go with plan 1. The mesh chaises look wonderful and are a little bit different than the traditional ho-hum iron in plan 2. Plus, you seem to like plan 1 more, so you need to do what you tell customers to do- pick what you like. :) My only suggestion would be something around the bottom of the umbrella, because of little ones running around. The planter in plan 2 looks great.
We just redid our patio and are looking at the same PB Huntington collection in the first look, which looks a little warmer and more inviting (I do love both options tho). Agree that the mesh chairs are more practical and easier to stack/store, move with the sun- although I really love the other cushioned chaise in the collection. I currently have the PB Palmetto all weather wicker set in brown which is about 12+ years old and still looks brand new so I’m a big fan of the quality of the material.
These schemes look great! I ever so slightly prefer scheme 2 with the black accents, but I am team mesh (or anything not cushions) for our climate. I know the outdoor fabrics and foam have dramatically improved, but they are still a lot more work imho.
I assume you don’t use this space in the winter? I put in a bluestone patio in my Connecticut garden a few years ago, and my favorite thing about it is that it retains heat, so it melts snow and ice faster than the rest of the yard, minimizing shoveling. My sister has granite, and it gets SO ICY in winter. I kind of hate it (don’t tell her). The bluestone does get warm in the summer because the patio is West facing, but I only notice it if I’m walking barefoot.
Don’t forget to add lighting! I didn’t want to spend that money, but I’m so glad every single day that we did. Adding small lights to the underneath of the stone caps on the wall will add the prettiest glow.