Outdoor Living

When we moved into this house over three years ago, one of the things we loved best about it was the big backyard. We felt that it had such potential. It still does. In fact, it's kind of like the Secret Garden...before the children started clearing it out and cleaning it  up. We just can't seem to get things together back there. There are so many things growing, and we don't know what any of it is. Should it stay or should it go? We're mostly just guessing as we go along.

There is  a very small covered cement patio, which is kind of useless and not all that attractive. I'm glad it's there as it has been marginally useful to us. But maybe we've watched too much HGTV because it's hard to look in our backyard without imagining that something better is back there. Looking at the pavers at InstallitDirect is pretty inspiring too. I would love to have a beautiful and inviting outdoor living space, perhaps with a nice big built-in fire pit. I'd love comfortable, cushioned furniture that I could curl up on with a good book and a glass of ice tea, and dozing off in the fresh air would be the ultimate in divine (please note: there are no bugs in this fantasy). I can picture us hosting lovely, intimate dinner parties outdoors, with lanterns strung from the branches of our majestic maple tree; our guests strolling around the gorgeously paved patio, laughing and nibbling on the irresistible finger foods we've prepared for them. I can imagine our family enjoying our meals al fresco, sitting at a table that is big enough for all six of us with room to spare, in an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere.

Figuring centrally in all of these fantasies is a newer, bigger, better, and prettier patio. Patio pavers look really classic and attractive, and there are so many options in terms of color, texture, and pattern. The design possibilities are endless too. They would definitely be my first choice if we were getting a new patio. And who knows? Maybe one day we will...