Speaking of backyards.

[Deleted]

I'm in full blown panic mode people.

We start our backyard remodel the first week of August.  Design is basically confirmed (we'll make tweeks with our landscape guy as the frame goes in for the stamped concrete, etc.) but I have yet to pick:

1.  Style/color of stamped concrete
2.  Color(s) of the Calstone being used for the retaining walls
3.  House color - we are not painting our house right now, but WILL be in the future, so deciding on a color is important in order to make sure the colors we pick for #1/#2 match (i.e. right now our house in beige and i think i want a dark blue or green or brown...so do i go more in the gray color family for stone or what?)

I am an epic fail at googling/using Houzz/using Pinterest to locate inspiration images.  I'm just generally overwhemled.

So my point is - this is a call to action for all of you to:

1. post your dream backyards
2. if you have done stamped concrete before, can you share with me how you decided on design and/or color?

THANK YOU.

[fuckyourcouch]

we had stamped concrete installed last year. we went with a flagstone pattern (that looks surprisingly real) and we picked a color based on that - as in, we wanted it to look like it could be actual flagstone. we went with a grayish-blue slate color.

[Deleted]

Jul 19, 2013 11:22:07 GMT -5 fuckyourcouch said:

we had stamped concrete installed last year. we went with a flagstone pattern (that looks surprisingly real) and we picked a color based on that - as in, we wanted it to look like it could be actual flagstone. we went with a grayish-blue slate color.

ohhhhhhhhh - ok, so tell me - did you show pics of what you wanted to your concrete person?  Or did they have designs for you to choose from?

[fuckyourcouch]

Jul 19, 2013 11:27:29 GMT -5 fields said:

Jul 19, 2013 11:22:07 GMT -5 fuckyourcouch said:

we had stamped concrete installed last year. we went with a flagstone pattern (that looks surprisingly real) and we picked a color based on that - as in, we wanted it to look like it could be actual flagstone. we went with a grayish-blue slate color.

ohhhhhhhhh - ok, so tell me - did you show pics of what you wanted to your concrete person?  Or did they have designs for you to choose from?

we originally wanted to do wood plank stamp, like this so that it looked like a deck without the maintenance


we decided against it eventually and our contractor did not have the wood stamp anyway. he had a binder full of stamp patterns and then pictures of work he had done.  he also had a concrete color binder, with example pictures and overlay stain (so, you can choose a color plus a darker one to give it definition, or not).  we just had him come back a couple of weeks ago to expand the existing river rock areas in our yard, and had him do trim like this with it around the two patios he did last year, with a rock walkway in between.



so, we have a large patio right off of our back door with steps, and that's where our grill and table/chairs is.  then, in the left corner of our yard, we have a smaller patio with a fireplace, sort of like this, but obviously matching stamped concrete with rock trim.

[Deleted]

Got it. Thank you!!

[sarahswim]

For ours, the contractor brought out books and books for us to choose from-it was a little overwhelming, honestly. They also brought out stone samples so we could match the stone to the brick already in our house. You should be able to go to the company itself and look at their designs, too. After looking at [what seemed like] hundreds of designs, I had an idea of what colors we wanted to go with our house. I posted a few pics in the other thread, but this one can give you an idea of our design & colors.

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I love the two toned look Sarah! I'm going to go check my xp now

[Deleted]

Jul 19, 2013 12:42:38 GMT -5 jamie.1022 said:

Ours was just completed in May!  The second pic of the lights is before the firepit was finished.  The lights are LED, wires underground and on a timer.  We LOVE our new patio.

Whoa, is that stamped?  Or actual pavers?? I love the step down look of your seat wall!

[Deleted]

Grey will match a lot. What about something like this?





That has multiple colors so you have a few more options w house color in the future?

[Deleted]

Jul 19, 2013 12:49:22 GMT -5 ninjabridemom said:

Grey will match a lot. What about something like this?





That has multiple colors so you have a few more options w house color in the future?

I'm trying to avoid a "patchwork" like look...so I agree that blending in a few different colors would take some pressure off of deciding on a future house color, it's just not my style.

[Deleted]

That makes total sense.

I'd still go with light grey or a light sandstone color. Those seem the most versatile in terms of house color.