Finally the patio pictures. As you may know Charles and I finally plunged in and put in our door in the back. What began as a door in the laundry room blossomed into a side patio, and will probably include a pond in the lower yard, if my husband has his way.

Here is our side yard a few years ago, after we put in the raised beds.

We started, or rather, our contracter, Dennis, started the work in mid December in the laundry room. There was quite a bit of plumbing work to do to move the washer and dryer into the closet space we had--the water was there, but not the drain. Also there was a considerable amount of plumbing in the wall where we wanted the door. But we got the door in by Christmas. At the same time, Dennis did some drainage work. With all the rain we were able to see exactly what our drainage issues were, and we got all the side yard gutters to drain down to the lower yard.

Then, during January, the work on the patio and retaining wall began. Here is a shot during the work.


As you can see, quite a bit of dirt was moved into the lower yard. The rock retaining wall was removed and replaced with this block wall, plus Dennis built up a planter box for my herbs.

Then by Super Bowl Sunday, we had the patio complete, and here's Charles and me enjoying ourselves in the sunshine.



We were able to use some of the pavers we already had, and then add to it for the patio. We have a random mix of charcoal and natural pavers in three different sizes. We will need to add some colour, I think. Down in the lower yard, on the north side (there where the blue tarp is) is where Charles is thinking of a Koi pond. John will be here this weekend, and Charles is hoping to get all sorts of inspiration.

Here is a shot up so you can see the famous door.
It is actually very nice finally having a door, and not always having to use the garage door to go out.

We aren't finished with Dennis...he is off this month working on a house on Camano Island. Our next step to to get a side walk up from the patio to the upper yard. That will include some rework of the retaining wall up there.

We also have some inside work for him to do--finish up the wine storage, and add a large closet/storage area in the basement bedroom.

We have yet to name our patio. We are thinking some thing like Piazza Bitzinni. We can consider a name of your choice for the right amount....Piazzi Gianni, Piazza Golden Boy, Piazza Emilia...........