skip to main content

What is the reason to use decking boards along by the house?

last year

It is an interesting combination of paving slabs and decking boards. Is it just a design feature to add interest or maybe there is some practical reason for this?

Greenwich Village Backyard · More Info

Comment

Related Discussions
Please help us turn this house in a home for Christmas
Q
Comments (45)
Hi, there! What a great start to this room and a great friend you are for helping this gentleman. 1) I agree with what others have said about placing the two sofas facing each other perpendicular to the fireplace, with the coffee table in between and turning the rug. 2) I also agree that the artwork is what should go above the fireplace, not the tv. Then I think the tv could go on the wall opposite the fireplace, if there is enough room. But if placing the tv in the room with the artwork above the fireplace is difficult, then the tv could go above the fireplace. 3) It's hard to tell where the chandelier is located, but if possible, I'd swag it to be centered over the coffee table and centered with the fireplace. 4) I'd place a large tufted bench with roll arms and small side table or floor lamp in the bay window. This can easily be moved aside or in front of the fireplace during Christmas to make room for a large Christmas tree. 5) I'd go with a medium to dark grey on the walls, leaving the moulding white and LOVE the idea of the accent color of purple on the fireplace wall. I'd also paint all the radiators in the same color as the walls to "hide" them a bit. (You can also have boxes built around the radiators to make it look like a piece of furniture.) 6) If you move the artwork, you will have a blank space between the wall sconces. If those are permanent fixtures, you could place an assortment of mirrors on this wall arranged like artwork. 7) I would find a nice buffet (maybe something like this: http://www.westelm.com/products/parsons-mirror-console-g199/?pkey=cconsoles-buffet-tables&cm_src=consoles-buffet-tables||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-) to place under the sconces, then you can place the chairs to either side of the buffet. It would be a great counter to have for entertaining purposes, to put out an assortment of appetizers. And a design like this, you don't have to be too concerned with covering up or getting too close to the radiator. And the chairs can be stored to either side, but be brought out into the main area for entertaining. Alternatively, you could place a large decorative floor mirror leaning against the wall between the sconces (with the chairs on either side) and place a nice buffet console table behind the couch across from it. 8) To either side of the fireplace in the "nooks", I would put some wood console tables or cabinets (they don't have to be a matching set) in a deep rich java. On top of those, I'd place a tall buffet table lamp and place either one nice piece of art on the wall above or an arrangement of smaller art. You could also do one piece on one side and an arrangement on the other. 9) I would straighten the back couch cushions to make them look more streamlined and place the accent pillows against the back in somewhat of a line, rather than haphazardly. So, there would be one small accent pillow for each of the back pillows or at least evenly spaced out. Golds and bronzes would also look lovely with the greys and purples and I like the idea above about adding something zebra print, too. You have such great pieces to work it, I think most of it will just take rearranging and adding a few things here and there. Good luck! I would love to see the "after" photos!!!
...See More
Emergency home office help needed!! All hands on deck!
Q
Comments (64)
I too work from home. The change took some to adjust to. Early on it was novel and I was smug that my 'commute' was only 15 seconds - bedroom to office. Over time I found I was not working so well as I was in an 'at home' frame of mind. I combated that to some extent as follows: 1. Paint it to look and feel like an office - if not you gradually feel to much like you are at home and work suffers. 2. Layout has to be practical first, looks count second. I see your desk and I think you are like me. Filing can be an issue. It is easy to end up with a desk buried under a foot of papers and that impacts your work and your mind. Have plenty of filing space - cabinets and/or shelving and ensure a fair amount of it is within a pace of your desk. Working from home means you will need to do most of the taking out and putting away, even if you do have an occasional assistant. Being able to do that within a simple turn from your chair means you can keep doing it. Once it is a chore to do, then suddenly it all piles up. 3. Going to work in the morning - get up, walk out and then come back in to the office. It may sound strange but as a habit you then feel you are at work. I used to stumble down the stairs and into the office and then work didn't really happen properly - I wasn't in an 'at work' frame of mind. Commuting to work is a pain but it actually makes that distinction - I am now at work. For me, making sure I am dressed suitably to go to the gate and back helps with that frame of mind. 4. Lighting - again, make it like at office - bright enough and no shadows. 5. IT equipment. Make sure it has enough space. There is nothing as infuriating as fighting with a printer in a tight shelving unit when the inevitable paper jam/toner change crops up as you are rushing to complete something. Again, working from home means you will be in charge of all this too, so get it all installed correctly so that it all works without too much effort from you. Your time is better spent in your primary role, so IT needs to be there for you, not you for it. 6. Drinks etc. For me I keep all that in the kitchen. This saves space and also makes me get up and stretch my legs from time to time. I don't have any young children anymore so there is no problem going and getting a drink - no break in the 'at work' mode. If you have young children at home this point may not work for you. 7. Make sure family and friends understand that you are at work and not simply at home. There is a tendency for them to think you are at home and that they can thus disturb you any time. Working at home means flexibility but also lost time from distractions if not done carefully. Good luck with your new venture. Onwards and upwards!
...See More
Decorative edging along fence/around Artificial grass
Q
Comments (7)
I see what you mean about the gap between concrete and fence and the potential for weeds to creep through from neighboring gardens. I’m constantly in battle with next doors ivy:(. So yes I think raising the borders would be a good idea but as Sonia has pointed out that trees and shrubs will be far better planted in the ground rather than in a planter. I think a raised bed would be an ideal solution. The only issue is that any soil which is next wood will cause it to rot and create more problems for the fence, easily solved by lining the wood with some heavy duty plastic sheet. Just cut a section so it covers the wood and able to let water drain in the ground, then at the front edge of the border (next to the grass) you could use whatever decorative edging you like. Once it’s filled in with soil/compost this will cover the concrete and give a nice uniform look. If you want to use weed proof membrane and pebbles then that’s fine but cut a hole for any trees/shrubs so the roots can use the ground soil. Also, if you use bark chips as a top layer this makes it much easier to pull out any airborne weeds such as dandelions. Here’s some inspiration (notice on the second pic the plastic backing next to fence). Hope this helps a little:)
...See More
Decking choice - what compliments indoor wooden flooring
Q
Comments (8)
Unless you are going for hardwood decking, I wouldn’t have it. It is slippery when wet and softwood decking starts to rot after a few years. Mine is 8 years old and starting to rot in one corner. I was considering composite decking until I found several bad reviews of it, mainly in the US. It tends to show wear and flaking within 10 years and it warps. In fact Trex is being sued by many customers in the US as the product is not maintenance free and does not last 25 years. Have a read on www.thecraftsmanblog.com. However, outdoor grade porcelain seems a better bet? It comes in wood effect or tile and is non slip. It has a very modern feel if that is the look you’re after. Worth a look?
...See More

Sponsored

More Discussions

height of curtains with angled window

11

size and shape of the new 2nd bedroom and wardrobe

1

need ideas for living room with stairs and under stairs space

6

Layout issues in new house purchase

1

How would you extend?

3

United Kingdom

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.