Posting some pics.

Finally getting around to posting some pics of the Bistro after we finished it.

Enjoy !!

The Bistro

This deck started a few years ago with one of our customers as a random conversation that went something like this..

Chris & Pat: “We’d like to have a deck out here someday so we don’t have to be cooped up and so we can cook out”

Pam & Cujo: “We can do that..just let us know when you are ready. We’ll be there.”

Fast forward to this year ..

“Hey, you remember that deck idea we had?”

“Sure. You ready?”

“Yup. When can you start? “

“Let’s get after it.”

Here’s what it looked like then:

Here's what we have to start with

OK, so we know we have a project.

Now for the details. This is the highlight of this job.

Normally there are very specific ideas about a project. The owner wants things very exact and has a well defined mental image of the final product. In this case, (like most of our customers) we have built a solid relationship with these owners and have gained a level of trust most contractors do not enjoy. Because of this, all of us were able to speak openly, freely, and without reservation about what ideas were good, what needed refinement, and to also handle pricing issues without reservation. This level of trust and faith in each other is our goal on every deal.

Chris and Pat gave us these guides/requests– Ample, but modest, floor space, a place to put the grill, and a screen towards the street for privacy. One set of stairs that were wide enough to be comfy on, but not too fancy.

It’s important to know that your eyes do not deceive you, the original porch IS NOT level. In fact, it’s over 3.5 ” out of level in under 12 feet. Ok so some decks are not perfectly level, nothing new there. But this one was WAYYY off. So far off that it was easily visible from almost any distance.  The interesting part? The roof is dead nuts level. This means that the original contractor KNEW that the porch was off and built it anyway….. Yeah, the siding, door, and trim are installed to match the slope of the floor… Ugggh !!

We came up with this…(yeah I know..It’s not done yet..)

But first we had to get the porch floor level in order to not have something that looked like an amusement park ride.. Here’s what that looked like…

Holding up the roof line. Old columns out, new cedar columns in, floor jacked and leveled.

Ok..So I know you are wondering… Here’s some finish details.

Cedar flooring, cedar stairs, cedar trim, cedar window sills, cedar columns and cedar door frame. We relocated the screen door, deleted one wall, added a cooking/serving counter, grill spot, decorative lighting, low voltage lighting, returned the stairs for that grand staircase look,  hardie-plank inside and out paying special attention to the existing walls so that it looks seamless and maintains the irregular spacing of the ‘craftsman’ style house, cedar tops on the walls and beam, ceiling fan, ample electrical outlets, and new custom screens.

Here’s a few more pics… Finished pics next week (weather permitting)

Nice wide counter with plenty of leg room for the bar stools..plenty of receptacles for party stuff, and room for the Holland Grill

Simple rail that does not take attention away from the rest of the deck. Columns double as planter boxes for Pat.

A simple place to cook. plenty of counter space right at hand for platters, tools, and ...stuff...

You know, it’s a fabulous project and we’re glad to have it. Chris & Pat allowed us great latitude in design and delivery and we are so proud to have delivered them an outdoor living space that they can truly enjoy for years.

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