CLP-Intro

So, I attempted to answer these questions:

• When the weather is nice enough, we enjoy spending time outside. The more adaptable it is to different weather conditions, the more we can use it throughout the year.
• It rains often here in western PA, so having a roofed area is a must.
• In the warmer months, we frequently eat our meals outside—even something as simple as having our morning coffee in the sun, listening to bird song.
• In those same months, we often set up a TV outside so we can sit on the patio and watch it in the evenings.
• We enjoy playing various types of games, from yard games to tabletop ones.
• We enjoy having a wood-burning fire pit, but would like it a little closer to the house and easier to access and use. Carrying armloads of S’more supplies and drinks to the other side of the yard is no fun, and one of the reasons we find excuses not to use it. Too far away, bad seating, nowhere to set anything, bad lighting, no formal path, along with lots of roots and landmines to avoid.
• We want to keep a wood-burning feature and possibly add a gas flame feature as well.
• We enjoy listening to music outside, especially when entertaining.
• Zoned, adjustable lighting that allows you to create the best atmosphere for the time, event, and place.
• Accent lighting around the yard.
• Bright flood lighting for the area when it is time to clean up or look for something.
• Able to entertain a larger group of people.
• Outdoor cooking area, as well as a space designed to better integrate with the interior.
• Water Feature of some sort?
• Our kids are grown and older now, but we certainly want to keep some more playful, fun aspects in the yard for current and future grandchildren.

The style of the house is generic 1970’s ranch, but our goal is to slowly switch the aesthetics of the house to one that is more aligned with a “Craftsman” style. For the patio and landscaping, I would almost want to say we want to aim for a fusion of primarily “Craftsman“ with elements of an “English garden” and a “Japanese Zen garden“. Perhaps with some highlights of “Celtic” design thrown in too. A mixture of wood, stone, and nature.