Dear Debbie: We moved into a new-build home and, after a year of mud, we can now landscape our backyard. It is large enough to have a patio and grass for the kids to play on. Do you have any suggestions about paving stones that could also be used on our front path?
Beverley
How exciting to be able to start fresh. You have freedom of choice and can design a space that is tailor-made for your family鈥檚 pastimes. There are several important elements to consider. What kind of hard surface for deck or patio, how much grass and garden space, shaded areas vs sunny spots.
Begin by researching what is available and popular, and find inspiration through print and the Internet. Work within a budget and expect a few surprises.
I discovered a great source, Belgard Hardscapes, when checking out patio stones (permacon.ca and expocrete.com). Lou Mangiarapina, vice-president and general manager of Belgard said we are seeing a major trend in the creation of outdoor entertainment centres that include fireplaces, fire pits, grill islands, brick ovens, water features and seating areas.
This is happening in the cooler climates as well as more temperate areas. Designing with pavers that co-ordinate provides a unified look. Both permeable and interlocking concrete pavers come in a variety of textures and colours, including the sleek look of slate, as well as smooth, modular Lafitt Grana Slabs, which come in large sizes that offer a clean, contemporary style. Porcelain is popular indoors and out. Porcelain and concrete pavers are high quality, porcelain is pricier. They make a unique pattern that can be framed with the concrete slabs.
In this open-air space, Mega Bergerac and Dublin pavers cover the 鈥渇loor鈥� with a coloured rectangle to demarcate a carpet under the coffee table. The Brighton fireplace has been designed to enhance the pavers.
A grassy area and a garden are also important to you and can be planned easily around a patio. Stone pathways are intriguing ways to lead to other parts of the yard. If your space is small, container gardens are easy to care for and can be located on the patio.
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Dear Debbie: I just moved from a mountain cabin to a city condo and had to take my large, dark, leather living-room furniture with me. The condo has light weathered wood floors with a beach-like feel. I want to lighten the space, but I am not sure how.
Also what should I put on the free wall?
Betty
This is a big style change for you, but those beautiful leather chairs and sofa can look splendid in a beach environment, too. The trick is to add elements that are light and airy. Paint your walls pale grey or blue. The weathered wood floor and brown furniture blend with any colour.
On your free wall, build a gallery around a beach or water theme. Combine pictures of boats, boat houses, sand dunes, whatever you like, with a collection of sea shells, pebbles, star fish, which can be framed in Perspex, (a plastic box). Leggy tables and pole lamps will keep the mood light. For window coverings, choose either sheers or a lightweight pattern or white plantation shades.
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Debbie Travis鈥檚 House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Email your questions to [email protected]. You can follow Debbie on Twitter at twitter.com/debbie_travis and visit Debbie鈥檚 website, debbietravis.com.
