We are about half way through construction on the #nicebigdeck. The pilings were installed, and the decking is all in. It’s been a bit of a long haul with a big break because of the pandemic. Garloff Carpentry, the company that has been doing the install, has been doing an amazing job and, to be honest, I missed them when they weren’t around.
It’s always hard when you finally get started with a project because you start questioning and worrying about your decisions. Believe it or not, us designers can be really indecisive when it comes to our own homes. I think it’s because we understand that the options are truly limitless. But even more than that, we understand that almost every design decision COULD work. The reality is that there are no design rules. And, if anyone tells you that there are, just wait for them to praise someone who breaks them.
Once the decking was actually installed, the deck looked massive! I would just climb up there and sit, and I felt like I was sitting in the trees! It is truly amazing to get another vantage point from the house.
Here are some of the decisions I had to face as I headed into phase 2 of the deck design.
Plan Your Stairs – I had about 20 steps to get down to ground level on one part of the deck and it was important to me that the steps are safe. My mom (who is in her 80s, don’t tell her I told you!) and my grandma come over to the house sometimes, so I wanted everything to feel safe and stable. For optimal safety, you should only do a run of 10 steps before hitting a landing. I also wanted the stairs to flare out at the bottom to make them more inviting and gracious. I loved the idea and Garloff Carpentry obliged, but it definitely took some expertise (and time) to accomplish it. Being a certified TrexPro deck builder, Garloff construction was able to make it happen, but it does definitely require a lot more work and planning than a traditional staircase.
Incorporate Lighting – Lighting is super important, especially if you live in the country, like we do, where the nighttime sky is incredibly dark. Lights on the stairs and on the railing are crucial! I love the simple, tailored look of Trex® DeckLighting™, which blends in for a seamless look. These lights are energy-efficient, low-voltage lights are extremely durable and weather-proof – ensuring that they will endure the elements for years to come. Plus, Trex outdoor lighting fixtures are cool to the touch, making them safe for children and pets.
Railing Color – After narrowing it down to either classic black or white railings, it was still a real dilemma, and I went back and forth in my mind a zillion times. I chose white because the windows, trim and porch on my house are all painted white and I didn’t plan to repaint them anytime soon. And, I love them! They look crisp, clean and bright. BUT, if you are trying to have your railings “disappear” into your view and your view happens to be wooded, like mine is, consider black railings. A black railing with glass or wire inserts will visually go away more easily. Something to think about…
Privacy Walls – I originally thought that I wanted the walls around the swim spa to be privacy walls. I imagined people skinny dipping all summer and I wanted everyone to feel free to do so. But, as the deck was going up and I started to visualize what it would be like to have a 6’ wall around you while you are in the swim spa, I opted not to do it. I did use a privacy wall around the outdoor kitchen to create the feeling of a separate room and block out the traffic noise since our house is pretty close to the road. Here it is in winter when it was JUST being put up!
Now that the deck is closer to being done, I have really been able to show it off! I did a home tour with House Beautiful and the deck got many viewers excited! Check out the tour here:
And, since I am working from home, like many of us are, I set up an outdoor work area to make the most of these summertime temps, and the Today Show aired my outdoor work tips. Check it out here:
I hope that helps you figure out some design and build decisions when planning your very own #nicebigdeck!