Patio with Gravel and All Types of Cover Ideas and Designs
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Exterior Worlds Landscaping & DesignThis shade arbor, located in The Woodlands, TX north of Houston, spans the entire length of the back yard. It combines a number of elements with custom structures that were constructed to emulate specific aspects of a Zen garden. The homeowner wanted a low-maintenance garden whose beauty could withstand the tough seasonal weather that strikes the area at various times of the year. He also desired a mood-altering aesthetic that would relax the senses and calm the mind. Most importantly, he wanted this meditative environment completely shielded from the outside world so he could find serenity in total privacy.
The most unique design element in this entire project is the roof of the shade arbor itself. It features a “negative space” leaf pattern that was designed in a software suite and cut out of the metal with a water jet cutter. Each form in the pattern is loosely suggestive of either a leaf, or a cluster of leaves.
These small, negative spaces cut from the metal are the source of the structure’ powerful visual and emotional impact. During the day, sunlight shines down and highlights columns, furniture, plantings, and gravel with a blend of dappling and shade that make you feel like you are sitting under the branches of a tree.
At night, the effects are even more brilliant. Skillfully concealed lights mounted on the trusses reflect off the steel in places, while in other places they penetrate the negative spaces, cascading brilliant patterns of ambient light down on vegetation, hardscape, and water alike.
The shade arbor shelters two gravel patios that are almost identical in space. The patio closest to the living room features a mini outdoor dining room, replete with tables and chairs. The patio is ornamented with a blend of ornamental grass, a small human figurine sculpture, and mid-level impact ground cover.
Gravel was chosen as the preferred hardscape material because of its Zen-like connotations. It is also remarkably soft to walk on, helping to set the mood for a relaxed afternoon in the dappled shade of gently filtered sunlight.
The second patio, spaced 15 feet away from the first, resides adjacent to the home at the opposite end of the shade arbor. Like its twin, it is also ornamented with ground cover borders, ornamental grasses, and a large urn identical to the first. Seating here is even more private and contemplative. Instead of a table and chairs, there is a large decorative concrete bench cut in the shape of a giant four-leaf clover.
Spanning the distance between these two patios, a bluestone walkway connects the two spaces. Along the way, its borders are punctuated in places by low-level ornamental grasses, a large flowering bush, another sculpture in the form of human faces, and foxtail ferns that spring up from a spread of river rock that punctuates the ends of the walkway.
The meditative quality of the shade arbor is reinforced by two special features. The first of these is a disappearing fountain that flows from the top of a large vertical stone embedded like a monolith in the other edges of the river rock. The drains and pumps to this fountain are carefully concealed underneath the covering of smooth stones, and the sound of the water is only barely perceptible, as if it is trying to force you to let go of your thoughts to hear it.
A large piece of core-10 steel, which is deliberately intended to rust quickly, rises up like an arced wall from behind the fountain stone. The dark color of the metal helps the casual viewer catch just a glimpse of light reflecting off the slow trickle of water that runs down the side of the stone into the river rock bed.
To complete the quiet moment that the shade arbor is intended to invoke, a thick wall of cypress trees rises up on all sides of the yard, completely shutting out the disturbances of the world with a comforting wall of living greenery that comforts the thoughts and emotions.
Eric van den Brulle PHOTOGRAPHYInspiration for a mediterranean patio in New York with a pergola, gravel and a fireplace.
Providence DesignPhotography: Rett Peek
This is an example of a medium sized classic back patio in Little Rock with gravel and a pergola.
This is an example of a medium sized classic back patio in Little Rock with gravel and a pergola.
Steve Domoney ArchitectureThis is an example of a contemporary back patio in Melbourne with a potted garden, gravel and a pergola.
Lights4funKristy Noble Photography
Design ideas for a rustic back patio in Other with gravel and a pergola.
Design ideas for a rustic back patio in Other with gravel and a pergola.
Rescom Landscaping, Inc.Klee Van Hamersveld
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary side patio in Orange County with gravel and a roof extension.
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary side patio in Orange County with gravel and a roof extension.
Maienza - Wilson Architecture + InteriorsPhoto: Jim Bartsch Photography
Photo of a medium sized contemporary courtyard patio in Santa Barbara with gravel, a fire feature and a roof extension.
Photo of a medium sized contemporary courtyard patio in Santa Barbara with gravel, a fire feature and a roof extension.
Spaces and Places StudioInspiration for a mediterranean patio in San Diego with a fireplace, gravel and a pergola.
Atelier Drome ArchitectureThe back of the house has an all grey exterior that lets the modern design speak for itself.
Large modern courtyard patio in Seattle with a pergola, an outdoor kitchen and gravel.
Large modern courtyard patio in Seattle with a pergola, an outdoor kitchen and gravel.
Meier ResidentialMeier Residential, LLC
Photo of a classic back patio in Austin with gravel, a roof extension and an outdoor shower.
Photo of a classic back patio in Austin with gravel, a roof extension and an outdoor shower.
Southwest Fence & DeckInspiration for a large contemporary back patio in Dallas with a fire feature, gravel and a pergola.
PureHaven HomesThis is an example of a contemporary back patio in Salt Lake City with a fire feature, gravel and a roof extension.
New Eco LandscapesPhoto of a large contemporary back patio in New York with an outdoor kitchen, gravel and a gazebo.
T & T Woodworks LTDhot tub with custom wooden enclosure
This is an example of a back patio in Calgary with a water feature, gravel and a gazebo.
This is an example of a back patio in Calgary with a water feature, gravel and a gazebo.
Paul Maue Associates Landscape ArchitectsThe pergola has a bench on the far side that gives a layered view of the gardens that flank the gravel path, the stone landing at the edge of the pond and beyond across the lawn to the perimeter border garden.
Photo: Paul Maue
Four Seasons Garden Center & Custom LandscapeInspiration for a medium sized contemporary back patio in Detroit with a fire feature, gravel and a pergola.
3D Green Planet ArchitectsAviary for a formal garden. The garden implements landscape node design. This garden has three nodes: Alley of the Planets and Arbor; Koi Pond with floating orbs: and Aviary node for tropical birds........
This garden is featured in the 2012 book: A GARDEN MAKES A HOUSE A HOME, by Elvin McDonald.
Patio with Gravel and All Types of Cover Ideas and Designs
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