One of the nicest parts of our new house is the patio. It's a lovely L-shaped terrazzo outdoor space which forms the front of the house and flows to the side where the living room is located. It presides over a nice green leafy outlook of the suburb.
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| The patio as it is now. We plan to have some of the cracked terrazzo repaired. |
The patio faces south west; the wide eaves and crisscross sun screening protects it from the elements. It will be a great spot when we entertain but at the moment we've been using it for a few quiet afternoon drinks on the weekend.
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| A photo of the patio during our second inspection of the house. Son #2 and #3 were having a good explore. |
At some point the patio was enclosed with security grilles, which we felt detracted from the look and feel of the home. We decided these grilles were overkill given all the doors and windows have locks and there is nearly always someone at home.
After we obtained the keys to the house we changed all the locks to open with the one key. While the locksmiths were out we also had them remove the patio security grilles.
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| Madly modern Susan sharing our mid-mod joy during the inspection. |
'Uncaging' the patio has made a huge difference to the look and feel of the new house. It is much more welcoming and has given us more usable space.
So, did you have to move suburbs? You mention that you have a nice green leafy outlook over the suburb. I think moving out of the old 'inner-city' suburb and into a newer '1960s-developed' suburb - albeit it borders the old suburb, has been the hardest part. Having lots of trees around, having a bit of a view from my front deck, and being able to see and hear the birds is compensation for living in 'the burbs'. Once I'm inside my mid-mod house, I'm happy. What about you. Did you have to change your mindset - or were you already there?
ReplyDeleteWe've always been suburb dwellers as our last place was not inner-city either...so no real adjustment for us. I'm sure we'd find it hard to adjust if we were to move from somewhere very close to the city though. Xx
ReplyDeleteActually, I've given this a bit of thought and revised my definition of 'the burbs'. It's those big tracts of land, way out west, de-nuded of all trees, where it is just a sea of roofs, and everyone has a McMansion (big or small) and the same front garden and there's not much soul to it. The MCM developments were quite different as they bordered the established suburbs and they left all the trees and worked around them. People chose styles and designs of houses that had some integrity and timber and steel were still valued building materials. MCM designers and architects chose interesting bricks and tiles and houses were built to last. That makes me feel much better!
DeleteSuch a difference being free from the shackles! Thought could have been handy to lock misbehaving boys in!!!
ReplyDeleteIt made a huge difference taking the "burglar bars" down. I can just imagine how nice it is to sit out there and relax with a drink.
ReplyDeleteOur house was cloaked in vertical bars too when we got it and we were quick to whip them off. It costs nothing and makes a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteIt still seems odd seeing you in this house although completely right! The shower room looks so contemporary and the light fitting is tres funky!
Good Morning, i write from Italy, please, could you say me what's the name of the green armchairs in the patio? Tankyou :)
ReplyDeleteSorry I didn't see your comment Anon. They're butterfly chairs. xx
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