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!
No, I really appreciate everyone's views. The more the merrier!
Here is a slight increase on the lower terrace, as far as I can go without digging up the Camilias...
The table is 2.5x1.1m, so quite big and I have pulled the chairs out!
Interesting about the resturant area.
If I really want the extra width (who doesn't), I could pave arount the shrubs and make them a feature?
Regarding the water, I wanted to get the water level right up to paving level and this allows that.
Yes, water flowing down a wall or a sheet of metal or even tempered glass. Depends on taste and budget. Loads of ideas on Pinterest if you look.
Table space looks much more generous. I wouldn't pave round the camellias but, again, that's a matter of taste. It's already such a large, flat paved area I think you need to have the looser, rounded shapes of plants doing their thing and not hemmed in.
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)."
That’s a much better width, Richard and it looks as of you have pulled your seating area out as wide as you can. If you find it’s too cramped you can always buy a narrower table!
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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Table space looks much more generous. I wouldn't pave round the camellias but, again, that's a matter of taste. It's already such a large, flat paved area I think you need to have the looser, rounded shapes of plants doing their thing and not hemmed in.