I like how Laag described judging the economy of your decisions. Heres a few thoughts based on experience to help you choose a design and materials direction The cheapest material to lay down for a patio is compacted class II road base. It comes in different sizes of Ârock sizesÂ. By using a small chipped rock size you can achieve a nicely finished looking patio for very little money. I did all my paths in this material and would have done my patio with it , had it not already been installed with concrete. In my geographic area ( one of the most expensive in the US ) it cost me $ 10.oo a yard in materials. I did the labor. Link to photo - Stoney Point road base gravel :http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QLV2gitwkc8xrrPn1PjfGQ?feat=directlink Coming in second in regards to the raw materials is CRUSHED GRAVEL not PEA GRAVEL The two types of gravel are extremely different in regards to price and how they work as a surface treatment. Crushed gravel compacts down when the proper thickness is laid. The small stones are angular and compact down. Pea gravel never compacts due to itÂs round shape. It will almost always be squishy under foot unless it is mixed with a binder. Link to a crushed gravel patio area. http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2sbKsocpCgh-6C3FFtUg9Q?feat=directlink The next financial step up is recycled cracked concrete. You can often find this raw product free but the amount of labor that it takes to lay the sub base and set the stone makes it a more costly product than crushed gravel or base rock surfaces. Link _ http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bYLsDHN9uHuDQwR-poTVnw?feat=directlink Next up Pea Gravel - I never use it for a path or patio . I find it messy, uncomfortable to walk across and aggravating to set furniture on. I donÂt recommend it at all. It is a nightmare to maintain especially if you have an adjacent lawn , which makes it a down right dangerous choice. Decomposed Granite is the next choice. In my area this material is pretty costly in comparison to other surface choices. Call around to the different suppliers to get price quotes. You may find in your area that DG ( decomposed granite ) is the same price as crushed gravel or maybe even less. In my area it is significantly more costly. It is a product that can be laid down by a DIYÂer. I strongly suggest that you have a BINDER mixed in with your D.G. to keep it from turning into mud after a rain storm. Link to a DG patio area -http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qVRjqspD5PFAqQmixS_l-w?feat=directlink There is also a DG. like material called Terra Pave. It is basically DG mixed with a super hard biner ( Pine Tree tar ). It renders a hard as asphalt finish and is really lovely. We professionally install it in the N.Cal area for about $ 10.00 a sq. foot. Concrete is an excellent long term investment for a patio surface. It will out perform the above mentioned surfaces ten times over. The cost upfront is more $$ but in the long run , it is more cost efficient and low in the maintenance catagory. Link to a colored concrete patio _ http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IS4whvxcbXEB8aVQbbjrxg?feat=directlink These are some of the most inexpensive surfaces for an outdoor patio.

Bryan, Your bed looks great. We are also in the process of finishing some of these cinder block raised gardens. I strongly considered just dry laying them, but have since decided to motar my blocks. We used the narrow blocks (I'm thinking the 4X8X16 size) and I plan to put the pavers on top as a cap. I went 2 high. As a base, I leveled a 4X4 treated lumber in front, framed with a 2X4 treated lumber on back with 4" of concrete in between. It is a nice solid foundation. On the bed ends, I did use the 8X8X16 size to give me 8 nice pepper plant holes. Because we have morning glory (I think the real name is bindweed?) that is impossible to control, I actually lined the ground with pit liner. I will then put a layer of rock and the weed barrier on top of the rocks...sorta a double whammie to weeds. I actually like the look of the block gardens. If nice and straight, they can be an attractive addition to anyone's back yard. I really like the look of the wood base also. My ground did slope alot. I have also purchased the 16X16 cobble pavers to place around the grounds, with gravel surrounding the area. We purchased a green house from Lowes this year (already wish it were larger) which sets iin the middleof the garden area. The area is surrounded by a 6" wood fence which serves at a wind barrier. I'm excited to have it finished up and ready to plant. It has been a weird year in Utah...I always get a good freeze the second week of June. At 7000 feet, that's not surprising..:0)

True...each architect has their own, individual approach to design. If the OP has lost confidence in her architect she should select another, not try to design her on her own and crowd source it here. I wonder if the OP understands that architectural design is a simultaneous consideration of site planning, interior space planning, exterior massing and style, and roof design. In other words, design is a three-dimensional activity involving all aspects of a house. A decision made in one sphere has direct impact on all the other spheres. Architectural design is never a single isolated consideration of a floor plan, one floor at a time. That's what drafters and CAD operators do to manage their clients and minimize time on each project. I hope the OP can work closely with her architect, and not in isolation from her/him.

Another option is to deck over the concrete, depending on the elevation of the back door. You can set 2X4's or 4X4's (PT) directly on the concrete slab and deck over it. This could easily be a DIY project and cost hundreds instead of thousands to give the patio a new life. I agree that a good pressure washing could be a simple solution as well. Look into concrete stains and paints. All of these solutions increase maintenance, expect pressure washing. Good luck and show us after pictures.