Well it took 4.5 years to get to this point and to have our backyard just as we had hoped...a casual family friendly place, a space to hang out, lounge and to entertain. It is all we had hoped for.
We did consider a pool a few years back and a custom hot tub for the spot behind our garage but when that project climbed to well over $150,000.00 so we decided it didn't make sense to persue that...our seasons are short and our kids are older and really how often would a pool be used...not enough.
So we stuck with reasonable improvements...here is what we started with a blank slate a good sized sideyard between the house and detached garage.
Ok actually this is how bad it really looked when we first lived here...our lot was the parking lot for the model homes next door...
this was a plan I came up with after a lot of other plans...we scaled it back to create a living area behind our garage which we love and added 2 years ago...followed by a firepit area beside the garage and a dining and kitchen area closest to the house...it just made sense to create three zones, I was able to convince my husband against more deck area as I find decks to be a lot of maintanence which is usually my job....and I really love the look of patios, ours is brussels block and copthorne accents.
This has been one of our favourite spots to hide away on a warm or hot sunny day...I love to enjoy my breakfast out there if the time permits.
We added the sectional and two generous arm chairs and I built this large pine coffee table to fit the space.
I struggle keeping potted plants alive back here as it gets direct sun all day...this year I tried lavender....I am undecided on it, some of the plants did well and others not so much.
We connected the patios with a generous walkway which is great and used year round as I head to my shop daily.
We have enjoyed many sunsets this summer from our fire pit patio...this fire pit is attached to a gas line from our house under ground so no hoses or tanks to deal with.
We purchased new composite chairs last year on sale when we were planning this big project.
We wanted a simple concrete fire pit, I found this one at Lowes online...its harder to find a gas version than propane. I added some smoked cracked glass to add a little sparkle to the fire...its quite pretty.
This was my solution for hiding the gas hook up on the wall of the garage.
The patios were done last fall by a professional this is not something I would ever under take as a DIY personally...it's hard work. I built two matching cedar steps as well as the 10' table and bbq kitchen area...it's been a busy summer.
A fun and easy diy drink cooler stand I whiped up.
I didn't want a stone kitchen area with all the patios I felt there was enough stone so I went with rough cut cedar to build the outdoor kitchen and painted it white for a shiplap look, I created a custom top made out of rough pine finished for outdoor conditions.
I love the added details like the herringbone that repeats the look of our front walkway.
I built this beast of a table to easily fit 10 people in a pinch from rough pine beams and structural lumber for the top...it is incredibly heavy and built to last.
I used the steel wool and vinegar stain to color this table and bench.
cedar steps with white composite wrapped risers
It's been a great hot summer that went by far to fast as always.
That's a bit of chilly picture to leave this post with...I will take a better picture of this gate area...probably....
It for sure isn't a cottage but it is a lovely space now that it is done....it is a great investment in our home and for our family...I hope you like it.
