Apologies @richard_markham - I thought the first pic was the old situation and the bottom one the new!! Much prefer the top one but as you already have fish etc in another, I may think about turning the pool into a rill instead. Much easier on the maintenance but will still give you the sound of water if you wish. As it is so common these days, there must be a way of bringing the outside paving up to the level of the inside without compromising the DPC. Worth investigating I think as that would simplify the levels and do away with all your steps until you go off the patio into the garden.
Also think about incorporating planting into the paving as suggested before as it would break the areas up into designated spaces ie dining area, casual seating area/s etc. Also means you can extend the size of the patio without increasing the budget.
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
Should also point out that the sea is about 4 miles due south so we get some serious weather coming directly across the hills and fields.
Many plants don't survive.
Tough shrubs seem to do ok. For example a berberis planted to the west hasn't done well at all, but one planted on the east, sheltered by the house has done ok.
So any planting on or around this patio needs to be able to cope with saline, cold winds...
I don't want to create shelter for plants that will interrupt the views.
I think the bit with the table and chairs needs to be wider, it looks out of proportion with the Orangery footprint. Unless you are using artificial turf, the outline will be hell to mow!
I agree. How about a vertical water feature instead with a smaller horizontal catchment area and then you can fit the table and chairs on the main terrace and ditch the secondary terrace.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I agree. How about a vertical water feature instead with a smaller horizontal catchment area and then you can fit the table and chairs on the main terrace and ditch the secondary terrace.
Hmmm, I will have a look at that. When you say vertical, you mean something running down a wall or do you mean a fountain?
I think the lower terrace will be big enough, now that I have removed the raised area in front of the patio doors to the side. It's 13m long and 3.25m wide narrowing to 2.6m at the side of the orangery.
I will check if I can extend the width a bit before I hit the Camilias...
I’m glad you went for the rectangular design but not sure what the point of the infinity effect of pushing the pond out to the edge of the upper patio (edged with glass?) I think its too short a drop to be effective and would just be problematic. Sometimes you have to work through the options, but I still think your first design is better. It often is, it’s more instinctual. You can overwork it, adding things for no gain aesthetically, just adding maintenance pain.
Your patio with table and chairs was originally 3.2m wide (60cm+60cm+80cm+60cm+60cm) which is the minimum requirement, ergonomically speaking. Fine for a restaurant but for relaxed home dining 3.7m would be more comfortable and that is one tweak you will not regret. Sorry if we are all nagging on this point!
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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As it is so common these days, there must be a way of bringing the outside paving up to the level of the inside without compromising the DPC. Worth investigating I think as that would simplify the levels and do away with all your steps until you go off the patio into the garden.
Also think about incorporating planting into the paving as suggested before as it would break the areas up into designated spaces ie dining area, casual seating area/s etc. Also means you can extend the size of the patio without increasing the budget.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=472
Your patio with table and chairs was originally 3.2m wide (60cm+60cm+80cm+60cm+60cm) which is the minimum requirement, ergonomically speaking. Fine for a restaurant but for relaxed home dining 3.7m would be more comfortable and that is one tweak you will not regret. Sorry if we are all nagging on this point!