Accepting the Challenge

Ok so today we met again about our floor plans. Fixed the kitchen counter space, added a window in the office and made a space for table inside our garage entry. Through this meeting we also brought up wheel chair excessable doors. We feel this is VERY IMPORTANT one because my grandma needs to be able to easily use the bathroom and get in our home so we can enjoy having them over. And two because we are trying to build this home to sell to an older couple. "2" bed 2 bath and an office is not a "family" home it's a couple home. So either a starter home or a older couple. This didn't seem to big of a problem but there is definitly changess that had to be made to make this happen.

These changes will happen and are not hard to make just some how stressed me out today. It's this kind of thing that i'm truthfully fearing getting into the building process and finding out ... "oh by the way your grandma can't come over if she is in a wheel chair" and "you can't sell this to any older couple who might be looking for that." Those are j ust important things and I want to make sure I am crossing the T's and dotting the I's before we get into the building process. BUT i know that's probably not somthing you can be completely prepared for.

Then we talked about our lot a little and i knew our backyard/porch area would be level so we won't have a tall deck but I was secretly hoping to be able to have a least one step down so we could have a wood porch and pretty railings ect. Through this meeting we descussed having a concrete slab.  Oh I cringe just typing that. But I know it's the most practical thing and cost efficiant thing. BUT i still want to have a relaxing party friendly enviorment in our backyard. VERY IMPORTANT again. Really this is why I am typing this post because I'm trying to de breef from that meeting.

Now on to fixing the problem!

This is what I think of when I think of a concrete slab. (sad dog and everything)

Then the guys were like shell it will be ok we can stain it and make it look nice just like tile or something... and this is what I think of. A stained slab of concrete.

Sure it's better... but I wouldn't even call this a comprimise to my ideal deck.

So my goal today is to figure out how to make a flat slab of concrete feel more cozy for parties and relaxing. So we will actually go outside and enjoy the place not just have a outside but it be nice.  I accept this challenge!

Idea #1 (ignore cool modern home and big windows) cut lines in concrete to appear like big tiles.

Ideas # 2&3 build a sitting area around boarder to create the feeling of depth. Add a Long skinny fire pit like in the picture. Toss in a spot for a hot tub and plan out for table and chairs so you have a unique shape not just a simple triangle slab. Use the space wisely!