Stone Patio and Steps Project

A small unheated utility room adjacent to a tuck-under garage was added to this home to serve as a potting shed for the gardens on the property, and for lawn equipment storage.  

Atop the flat roof of the thick stone-veneered garden shed, an elevated patio leads off an interior room.  The height of the patio gave the opportunity to design a beautiful, functional set of steps leading down to the garden and yard level.

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The Construction Phase:  excavation, poured footings, block foundation, stone masonry.

The original design of the steps was altered; new sketches provided the plan from which the contractors worked.

Additional sketches provided the inspiration for design of custom-made iron brackets for lighting and railing.

Construction of the cellar window-well: thick stone veneer on all exposed walls of the well's interior, iron rungs set into the mortar for required egress. A hidden drain tile at the base ensures drainage. A custom-made iron grate was made to cover the well.

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A thick pea gravel base creates an attractive base, as seen looking out from the cellar window.  A low voltage up-light creates shadows along the rustic stone for an intriguing night-time grotto scene.

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The homeowner, a collector of garden antiques, used a hand-carved lion head from England as the focal point at the top of the landing.  The antique piece was set into a large slab of reclaimed bluestone, creating a beautiful timeless vignette upon approach from the yard. 

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Custom iron railing, color matched to the painted cedar posts and acorn finials, enclose the raised patio. The posts are wired for lanterns that hang from brackets.