Help with patio design for 1930's Spanish home
It's me again, seeking some advice from you brilliant people! Honestly I've gotten better information from GW than I have from many of professionals I've met with. They all seem to have some sort of agenda, ya know?
Anyway, I'm trying to narrow in on some patio design ideas and I'm having a hell of a time here in San Diego. Designers have turned me down because its too small of a job (and probably also my neighborhood, though I love it to death, is considered by many as 'the hood') and "design/build" firms keep trying to pitch things that I said I didn't want. (Like, didn't I just say I don't want a Trex deck? Or any deck!)
I've attached a few picture of what I've got now. Don't mind the paint job! It's getting redone this week.
As you can see the existing patio is enclosed by a U-shape and is accessed by my living room. The busted up cover and lattice have definitely got to go! I am hoping to bring it out further into the backyard in order to be able to enjoy the sun during the day and even eat outside in the summer. I would like to fill in the dirt corridors that are in the U-shape as well as they are pretty useless.
I actually like the red cement patio which is original to the home.
What I need help on is figuring out is what material to use for the patio and what to do about a cover. For the patio: cement? Saltillo tile? Some sort of rock or pavers? It is important to me that it doesn't clash too much with the vintage style of the home. The cover: Should part of it be solid or just provide a little bit of shade? It's already kind of dark being so enclosed until you get past where the lattice currently is. Pergolas are popular here but the standard type is muuuuch too bulky.
All advice and ideas much appreciated!
Comments (15)
Astrid C
6 years agoHere's a pergola looking thing I don't hate. Is fabric cover a poor choice?
Intimate Space · More Info
Another fake pergola. I believe this is "Alumawood" some of whose products look cheesy but this one is okay. It's much lighter than wood and requires fewer supports. Also being termite-resistant is handy in my neck of the desert.
PROmatt&ash design Inc.
6 years agoWow. I love your home very Mexican inspired - just beautiful. Your patio is very much enclosed and needs to be opened up more. I would bring it out more like you mentioned to get the more sun that you wanted. I would remove the side walls and add a trellis roof. You can see what I mean in the picture below with hanging string lights. I would have a step down deck too. Something similar to the picture below. The red flooring you have is nice and I like it too, so keep it. If you step it down you can have a different material just like the that picture because it would be to hard to colour match what you have now anyways. I would replace your patio set with new ones and buy some vibrant coloured pillows to really liven up the space. I showed some examples below. I hope this helps!
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Kim in PL (SoCal zone 10/Sunset 24)
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
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l pinkmountain
6 years agoAstrid C
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago- PRO
matt&ash design Inc.
6 years ago Astrid C
6 years agoAstrid C
5 years agoSlab has been poured! Terracotta tiles (decided on a large star and cross shape) were delayed coming over the border from Mexico so I’m going to have to wait another week for the install and the patio cover. Oh well, it will give me some time to find some furniture. The weather is getting nice and I can’t wait to use it!
emmarene9
5 years ago
PKponder TX Z7B
5 years agoAstrid C
5 years agoAnd here is the finished product! Went with terracotta tiles in a star and cross pattern and an alumawood patio cover. I’m so pleased. It’s like I added an entire new room to the house. Don’t mind the clutter! Still figuring out the furniture.
emmarene9