After this young family moved into their forever home, it was clear the spacious house felt unfinished with the backdoor’s blunt transition to the backyard. Alison, her husband and two energetic girls needed a space to grow and their extended family to play.
The process started in early 2021 when families were still gathering primarily outside and Alison, a full time Director of Sales and Client Success for a global IT consulting firm, was getting accustomed to working from home.
We spent time in the design phase working out the right size for the NE Portland, OR yard. Considerations needed to be made for balancing grassy areas for soccer and cartwheels and plenty of deck space for outdoor dining and relaxing.
Nature and raising plants is a major pastime for Alison’s family. We planned for a multipurpose south-facing planter wall for privacy, edible gardens and filtering the direct summer sun. Additional planters along the front side leave the rest of the yard for playing.
As with many projects in 2021-2022, timelines were extended due to supply chain material delays and limited contractor availability. Rapidly rising costs brought some accommodations to the structure’s extensive planters, but adaptations were easily made to keep the heart of the project intact.
In the end, the important size, lighting and skylights make this deck the perfect for family entertaining, hosting holiday meals for years to come. Additional planters have filled the side yard and will grow around the deck as needed over time. This forever home has gotten its forever deck.
Most contractors that build homes aren’t thinking about the back yard as a place for additional rooms. This a place to grow and expand the square footage of your home. Fire pits, outdoor kitchen and dining all give us access to nature and fresh air many more months of the year.
Take time to look outside and consider how you want to use the space you have for years to come. Edible gardens? Comfortable star gazing? Play areas or bee-attracting blooms? Spaces to sip Rose all day?
Of course I’m happy to talk you through your space and get you on your way to a beautiful outdoor room to enjoy in the summer months to come.