Tuesday, June 15, 2010

My Dream Patio

The hubby and I have been doing some serious planning for our walk out patio to the lake. We've been playing around with this cool landscape drawing program called Smart Draw - they let you use it for free for 7 days. The main thing we envision is having a bonfire / entertainment area.

We hit Barnes & Nobles yesterday, pouring through magazines. And Greg poured his coffee accidentally on a few of them! Ha, that's what he gets for making me eat that raspberry chocolate cheesecake. I dislike that combo and wanted something else, but he insisted and said just try it. I did....YUCK!

Anyways, I digress. We've decided we are going to do compacted stone for our patio and will have a paver walkway to it from the doorwall of our walk-out basement. Here's my inspiration...






Who wants to sit with me in these chairs and talk about solving the BP oil gusher?





Something about this crazy frog appeals to me!





A solar water fountain feature....how eco friendly can I get?!




A girl can never have too many bird houses!




Oh...must not forget the margarita machine! Ha!

26 comments:

Wall-to-wall books said...

I don't like Choc. Rasp. either!!! Go figure!
Love the sitting area!! How beautiful, I'll come for margarita's anytime!

Anonymous said...

You two are going to enjoy an area like this so much. I'm available for sitting and talking too!!! You need to find a loon container for your fern!!!

Anonymous said...

Shelley - I FOUND A PHOTO OF A LOON PLANTER!!!! The link is
http://image10.webshots.com/10/1/87/92/175918792tJyZjs_ph.jpg

Gone said...

I'd love to sit with you in those chairs...but discuss our next Tea Party...the Lake...anything but the BP fiasco!!

Anonymous said...

sorry, I don't think my link was correct. I entered "loon planter" under google images and found a very cute one though.

Patsy said...

Lovely place to sit and have a margarita with a blogger or two.
Patsy

The Retired One said...

Love your plans and all of those other gadgets too! So, get busy, will ya? I'd like them all to be in place when we come and visit you at the cabin. hahaaaaa

Busy Bee Suz said...

I think with a pitcher of margaritas and sitting in those chairs, we can solve most of the worlds problems.

This is going to be so pretty, can't wait until you guys start working on it.

Shelley, I have a crazy frog similar to that one!!!!!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Looks like a great plan to me... I say DO IT.... I'll come and sit with you drinking margaritas and discussing how WE can plug that damn hole.... ha ha

Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Very nice very nice & coool margarita machine!

Powell River Books said...

Sounds like good planning. Lots of good inspiration ideas. I really love the gourd birdhouse in such bright colours. - Margy

Just a little something from Judy said...

I want to volunteer to sit on those chairs with you on that gorgeous patio, and discuss something other than the BP oil mess. I know whatever you two put your minds to creating, will someday be featured in the very magazines you are looking through. Can't wait to see what you do.

Constance said...

Our best friends have a house in the country with a walk out basement. It's on such a steep slope that when they walk out onto the deck on the main floor, it's like being in the tree tops! Absloutely LOVE it! There's so much more to having a cabin than "just" the cabin-you want the whole package! Sitting outside in an inviting setting, having an outdoor fire pit and so on are my idea of heaven!
Connie

Jen said...

An outdoor patio spot sounds great-you can tell some great stories around a fire!

Anonymous said...

Oh, boy! Inspiration pics are just about my favorite thing ever. Used to do magazines, but now of course, I find 'em by internet image search. What a gorgeous patio!

The Good Cook said...

I have that solar fountain - it is lovely! The faint gurgling sound of the water is very soothing..

A New England Girl said...

Oh, that patio is perfection! :)

KathyB. said...

Shelley, I agree with you on the chocolate raspberry cheesecake, but my husband loves that kind of dessert and cannot imagine anyone NOT!

I think I could go for a margarita on that chair in the bonfire-entertainment area whilst discussing the world situation with you. ( hopefully NOT being served that cheesecake)

I like your ideas and look forward to seeing photos of the finished area.

Rural Rambler said...

Oooooo, that is so pretty and I love the green wicker. I want to sit out there with a glass of sweet wine with Marvin on my lap and blah, blah, blah, blahb with you. I know it will be beautiful Shelley :)

Anonymous said...

It all sounds wonderful! I love that frog planter. He would look great on your deck or patio.

Catherine Holman said...

I love this look! Great choice!

Connie said...

I love your plans, Shelley! I hope you can make your dreams come true. I'll take any chocolate raspberry cheesecake you don't want. HA! :D

grammy said...

I will come sit there with you whenever (o:
looks great.
We have a front patio to do because our old wood deck was rotten. Tore it up...now are waiting for some money to put it back together...yikes

Nancy said...

That will be a wonderful spot to enjoy nature's beauty!

joated said...

Being on the road it's difficult to find time and access to keep up with my regular reads. I was able to look at your photos for the last week or so and have to say...WOW!

From the red squirrel to the moon and chipmunk landscaper...some great shots and commentary. Love your patio plans.

The only thing I can disagree with is your take on the chocolate-raspberry cheesecake. MM-MMM, Good!

Anne said...

Shelley - I love the patio -- We're not even done with our house yet, and I'm skipping ahead in my mind to the landscaping! =)

I especially love that the seating area is bordered by the very low wall -- it makes it feel snug.