You're welcome! maire_cate - No pool, but the existing patio does get slippery when wet, especially when I am in flip flops. tinam61 - Our patio was poured, and then it was suppose to be acid stained. Instead, they rolled some type of stain on top, and then sealed it. As I said, the inside has held up with two more applications of sealer in the last 5 years. The outside has actually been re-stained (after the first season and flaking began)and has been sealed 4 times. Yes, the overlay has color applied before the epoxy is poured. Are you thinking of having the lower driveway done with stamped concrete, or brick pavers? If you are in an area that gets lots of snow (and salt) I would not try the stamped concrete. My neighbor has has his torn up and redone, and still had it ruined over the winter with the salt trucks. susieq07 - I've seen your driveway before. You've had that quite a while. Has it held up well? Talked to DH today. We are going to wait for the estimates to come back on our project. If the numbers are within our budget, I think we are going to go ahead and either add to the existing pad before having a coating put on it, or tear the pad up and pour a larger pad. We could also do pavers instead of a concrete pad. Maybe the yard would not get as torn up if we are just taking out the old pad, and not having to have a new pad poured. Again, it all depends on the expense and our budget. I wish for a larger patio to be able to serve our needs. Here is the rest of what we are doing. Pergola will be attached to house. So instead of four columns, we will have two. This will improve our siteline from the house and screen porch. From backyard looking at patio and screened porch From backyard with pergola mock-up From backyard with pergola, grill enclosure and fireplace mock-up Fireplace and/or pergola examples that I like. We are not sure whether to go with brick to match our house (if we can find it) and use stone accents like this. There would be seats on either side and the chimney will be higher to tie in with pergola. I like this the best, but chimney would not be quite this tall because we will have gas. Take away the two columns, and scaled down a bit, plus add the seats. Original dream photo. I've hung onto this for a couple of years. Saw this at General Shale yesterday and was determined that this was it! Today, I am having second thoughts that it may be TOO formal. Plus, the white detailing may become a headache for cleaning. I think that I'd rather go with detailing like the following photo, whether used with stone or brick. Did I tell y'all that we will also be improving the looks of the screened porch post? Instead of the solid paint stain on rough treated post, and the vinyl cladding on the outside of the porch, we will have the post re-wrapped with a smooth paintable wood and then redo the screening and trim them out. Again, this is something with can put on the back burner if needed. After all, I just stained the post last summer. Throw in some landscaping, lighting and furniture, we will be all done!

Jen, I'm just now seeing this thread and LOVE the changes you've made!!! They seem to go perfectly with your style and look so darn pretty! I think your DH's hot pink choice for the table was prefect. You've inspired me to take some chances with my own too sedate porch. Questions: ~ Did you use a primer coat first on your wicker? I have no idea myself, but I do remember painting a white wicker chair dark green once, and it just seemed to absorb the paint! Like yours, it took several cans to get it covered. I wonder if I should prime my wood table first before painting it? ~ Did you use a sealant on it afterwards? ~ Are you planning on painting the coffee table base? If so, what color? Anyhoo, I think your porch reno was a huge success and can't wait to see it with that (fantastic!) rug when it arrives. Keep the pics coming! Lynn

High gloss will INTENSIFY the look you are seeing. The only way I can explain it is low-gloss is like opening your eyes underwater. High gloss is like wearing goggles while doing the same. The CLARITY of the gloss level will intensify what you are seeing. Most of the work is absolutely STUNNING. I agree the white is a bit more intrusive that most people would want...but that is a stained concrete floor. Things get "organic" very quickly. Sadly, your inspiration photo is showing "white" concrete. That is very different from "natural". The 'natural' look of concrete that your contractor created is different from your definition of "natural". The movement you are seeing in your photo is actually the look of shadows on a white concrete floor. I'm sorry but the contractor needs to be paid. I know. That's not something that is nice to hear but the contract clearly states that payment is owing regardless of how you feel about the finish. The "oopsas" created by the foot prints are to be corrected at no extra cost. The colour is not. If you were to attempt this again, you will need to look at white concrete...not "natural".

You'll return the wall back into the grade. (It looks like those blocks will make a 45* turn.) Be sure to keep the wall face behind the step, where it meets the steps. I doubt very much that tilling up your yard is going to be a good experience for you, or be good for you. Consult with some brains in the lawn care forum before you do this. I'll bet there is a better way to get a good lawn.