slate patio or a different stone?
Emma Kivuva
6 years ago
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Comments (10)
PWJ Architects Ltd
6 years agoStaffordshire Landscape Services Ltd
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Lounge/dining room blank slate
Comments (37)Thanks for the comment. I never did get around to updating this. Thanks everyone for your input. Here's some photos - nothing like the amazing professional photos on Houzz I'm afraid, just taken on my iPhone with the room lights on as its very dull today. In the end I managed to convince my wife to go for a light/dark theme. She was worried the dining room would feel very dark but it really doesn't. We love the distinct feel it gives both the living and dining room. Open plan so a feeling of space but feels like two distinct rooms in their own right. For those who like detail... Paint wise we have used Earthborn clay paint. The living room is Feather Pillow (a very warm neutral grey which reminds me a bit of Skimming Stone). It can look very grey in the north facing daylight but not too cold and warms up beautifully in the evening. I love having the ceiling light dimmed low with the table lamp on. The dining room is Damson Mousse. I love how this changes colour through the day. Sometimes it's more purple sometimes it's very soft and warm, almost aubergine. We also used Earthborn in our bedroom (Cupboard Love). In hindsight it was a poor choice for the dining room because it has almost no durability. It will take a brush against the wall but any liquid splashes ruin it (except for pure water which just evaporates out as its so breathable). It wouldn't be so bad if it touched up nicely and the lighter colours in the living room and bedroom do touch up well but the purple touches up terribly unfortunately. All woodwork, including the shelves which I had made by a local carpenter and the alcove cabinets, which I made myself, are painted in Loft White Intelligent Emulsion by Little Greene. You'll notice I did successfully paint the brown uPVC window frames and have had quite a few compliments. The black rubber gaskets were removed for painting and the frames had two coats of Zinsser BIN, a coat of acrylic primer undercoat (I used Leyland) and a topcoat. The wood grain effect on the frames makes it look very realistic. I also replaced the gold coloured handles for chrome ones. The floor is QuickStep Impressive in Soft Oak Natural and continues into the hall. We found a very good local fitter who also fit all of our new skirting board and architraves. The shutters are from a company called Shutterly Fabulous who are on Houzz I think. They supplied, measured and fitted and were a very reasonable £1200. We bought a set of their DIY shutters from their sister company California Shutters which I fitted myself in the bedroom. A few other details...the living room chimney has a false stud frame around it which conceals the wiring down to the left cupboard which contains all the AV gear. It also allows the TV bracket, mounted to the real chimney, to be recessed to get the TV right up to the wall. The room has hard wired 5.1 speaker terminals run under the floor and buried in the walls, all terminated at a 5.1 speaker wall plate in the left alcove. There is also 4x gigabit Ethernet ports in the left cupboard which terminate back at my network cabinet under the stairs. Most of the house lights are remote control and can be controlled by physical remotes, iPhones etc. Using LightwaveRF technology. Both radiators were replaced and the living room radiator moved under the bay window (the love seat does not stop it heating the room). Fitted with decent chrome valves and pipe snaps and chrome roses to conceal the copper. Sofa and love seat are from sofa.com. Both are part of the Isla range. Ceiling lights and lamps are from John Lewis. The dining room light was off centre which I realised after we decorated but I'm a bit OCD about things like that so I moved it over (fortunately the carpet was already up in my daughter's room above fit plastering and decoration and there was plenty of slack wire). Rug, throw, cushions and dining chairs are from Next. Plant and pot were a bargain in Homebase. New oak doors were bought online. Finally, the sideboard is from Cotswold Co and the side tables from a local shop. Both are far eastern imports to save money. The side tables are excellent quality, the sideboard less so but you get what you pay for. We invested a bit more in the dining table which is solid European oak (from Lithuania I think). Anyway I think that covers it. Hope you like it. Any questions please ask and sorry for any typos as I wrote this on my iPhone....See MoreBlank slate garden
Comments (8)Maybe some more pics from different angles would help too. I'd put a tree back to hide the view of your patio area from the house opposite. As you don't want to block light, something light and airy, but a great grower like Eucalyptus would be excellent. It would give the illusion of privacy without the density of growth and of course they're evergreen. Possibly a line of fruit trees in a raised bed with lower level planting at the bottom, they will have blossom in the spring, leaves in the summer, but will not block light in the winter. A nice bright patio to the bottom to sit in your sunny spot? (Excuse the crude mock up, but you get the idea )...See MoreSawn or riven Indian stone for patio?
Comments (17)We have cheap pale grey riven laid in a contemporary style which looks great. No problem with algae or flaking. It is also more allowing for the usual garden dirt due to its texture. The sawn looks lovely if you are really careful about keeping it clean. The riven somehow looks a little less austere - good for us as it looks neat but is forgiving when it comes to dog paw prints, foot prints etc.......See MorePorcelain Paving Rocks for Creating a Stunning Patio Paving
Comments (0)You'll all be familiar with porcelain - perhaps your grandmas' old china teacups? Well, the porcelain we're talking about couldn't be further from that old tat (sorry Gran)! This is porcelain-like you've never seen it before; stylish and highly durable with a range of distinctive colours. Using these sophisticated porcelain paving slabs you can completely transform your garden space and reclaim your home's balance! Recognizing it's time for change Some people haven't upgraded their patio paving slabs since the 70's and still have concrete patio slabs, just take a look outside and you'll see, they don't age well! Maybe you've never noticed your garden patio slabs changing, but it can creep up on you over the years. What was once a glowing garden may be dirty, neglected and full of weeds! Unless you've already renovated your garden patio paving slabs with quality paving stones, it's likely your garden badly needs a facelift. 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As a non-porous material, porcelain paving slab doesn't soak up water, meaning it's far more robust and hard-wearing that paving stones; as the years go by, the advantage of this quality will become evident. Balance is generally hard to achieve when it comes to choosing the right materials for your home interior and exterior garden, but Porcelain paving combines the positive qualities of various natural materials, and to top it off, is the most durable flooring material, full-stop. Don't believe us? Check this out: "Tests at Consumer Reports found porcelain paving to be the most durable type of flooring, resistant to scratches, dents, and moisture. These 20mm outdoor porcelain tiles are also very easy to clean. Glazed ceramic and porcelain slabs require very little maintenance, though other types need more." Why does durability matter? Have you ever bought beautiful natural stone paving slabs, only to watch its colour slowly fade due to weathering? You'll be glad to know the style of these porcelain paving slabs will be well preserved. Persistent rain, frost or heat aren't enough to damage this durable material – British weather may be unpredictable, but one thing you can predict is that the character and charm will last! We absolutely love our range of natural stone paving slabs, but if you're looking for something with a similar feel that definitely won't require extra care to preserve, porcelain paving is made for you. The perfect choice for Kitchens, Bathrooms and even Living rooms Waking up to a kitchen with the feeling of vitrified porcelain paving slabs under-foot is simply divine! It's a foolish thing to think that these tiles belong only in the garden; in fact, one could argue that porcelain tile works even better indoors. Our darker styles of Porcelain impart sophistication and charisma that cannot be rivalled by other flooring materials. In other words, porcelain paving slabs are way out of their league! The task of interior design can be a total headache…. That's why we recommend working from the floor up. The flooring you choose is without a doubt the foundation to your home's atmosphere – wood and other natural materials are known for their charm, but before long the annoyance of damage and wear creeps in! Naturally, the environment inside a home is no challenge to Porcelain – flooring material that can keep up with your crazy antics (spilt drinks, heavy furniture etc. Not a mark!). If you're someone with busy family life (kids running around, causing havoc!) then you'll need a durable flooring material that can withstand the ins and outs of life. Porcelain tiles also look great in bathrooms; sometimes the awkward and outdated flooring materials people have in their bathrooms leaves us in a state of shock! Like natural stone, Porcelain tiles are the natural choice for bathrooms, not only because it's water-resistant (hello, bath mats aren't going to soak up everything!), but also the charm that it can give to a space like this is remarkable. Crafted with precision, ready to install Porcelain paving is manufactured with special clays that are kiln-fired to a temperature of 1400 degrees, and then ground and polished to ensure that each tile has sharp, perfect edges. The perfectionist approach taken in manufacturing these slabs means that you'll have no complications when laying them, indoors or outdoors. Also, rectified edges and consistent 20mm thickness ensure that every slab meets flawlessly – no awkward raised edges (and no trip hazards!). Nothing has been left to chance. Despite being affordable, our Porcelain paving does not compromise on quality at all. Get inspired and transform your garden for Spring! Porcelain paving makes sense as the ideal choice for garden patio – it's tried and tested by thousands of our customers. Right now is the perfect time to pursue your garden goals; spring is approaching, so now is the time to bring your garden BACK TO LIFE! We love inspiring homeowners to take control and tackle their messy gardens because we know the effect their transformed green space will have on their family. The garden is the place to play, breathe fresh air and experience nature; all children remember times spent outdoors, and we all love a relaxing drink outdoors on warmer days, so having a garden to be proud of is something that benefits adults and children alike. You can explore a wide range of affordable, quality paving slabs materials on our website including sandstone paving, limestone paving, smooth paving slabs....See MoreJuliet Docherty
6 years agoEmma Kivuva
6 years agoLTS
6 years agoLTS
6 years agoE D
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoJuliet Docherty
6 years agoAngela 'Donovan
6 years ago
Emma KivuvaOriginal Author