The home gets a bit better every year, as old fixtures give way to modern comforts, like hot water. Outside, the mill pond glistens, the choking vegetation removed, the mill races restored, even though there’s no mill. But… maybe it could be even better… This concept blocks access to the pond from the street, orContinue reading “Possibilities in the Vosges, France”
Tag Archives: decks
Two mid-century modern front yards
Mid-century modern front yard landscapes look good all year using foliage color and texture to keep the design lively.
New Concepts for a sloping front yard
The current synthetic deck is disintegrating, there’s not enough space for a table, and some excitement in the landscape will be welcome. This solution removes a major stairway (there’s an alternate path), clears out tall vegetation near the house and terraces the slope to extend the patio area, adding a (very) contemporary shade structure, aContinue reading “New Concepts for a sloping front yard”
Front yard living
There wasn’t much space for a patio in the back, the neighbors are friendly, so why not create a living space in the front yard? Hello, everyone! While adults dine on the deck, they can watch the kids play on swings under the tree. The wood is unstained sustainable Fijian mahogany, left to go grayContinue reading “Front yard living”
Getting ready for the Gardens Gone Native tour
Grasses wave in the wind, lupines finish their blooming season, new plants adapt to their new home, hummingbirds gyre above native sage and honeysuckle. Aggressive weeds have been pulled, trees trimmed, the compost heap is full, hot and full of insects. The Gardens Gone Native tour is always a good excuse to work like crazyContinue reading “Getting ready for the Gardens Gone Native tour”
Looking like a deck, finally
Putting down the decking goes quickly once the joists are attached and blocked. We worked from the two ends, setting them in place with a few screws, then placing the other boards. Spacing was adjusted at one end, then the boards were progressively attached, working from the spaced end. Since it’s very rare that aContinue reading “Looking like a deck, finally”
Deck understructure ready
Laying down some weed barrier was the last step before placing the decking. You can also see the pressure treated joists and blocking, as well as a beam that supports the joists.
Ready to pour the footings
By positioning the beams and brackets before pouring the footings, we can ensure that everything aligns perfectly. Once the footings have set, we can unscrew the beams, cut the ends and finish the deck.
Another deck
We’re finally starting work on the linear deck that will link the back door of the house to the garden. It will have long concrete steps in the same style as those on the floating deck, and will be completed later with a screen structure and seating area.