Patio Makeover Diary: NY Stone Patio with Pergola

When this 1870s farmhouse in New York underwent a series of extensive renovations, an unplanned--and unfortunate--result was a disjointed intersection of the home and a windowless exterior wall. A pergola remedied the situation, unifying the two walls to create an outdoor room.

Before the pergola was added to this outdoor area, the exterior architecture was unappealing.

A pergola, combined with a flagstone patio and luscious landscaping, livens the outdoor aesthetic and provides a casual gathering space.

Building an outdoor garden room takes several steps. For this project, workers first removed a dated picture window to make way for the door that leads to the new outdoor gathering space.

With the new door in place, the digging to level the ground began.

Before starting in on the wall, the homeowners had to decide how high to make the wall. They set it at comfortable seating height, letting the wall do double duty.

After laying half the patio with brick, the homeowners had a change of heart. They went with flagstone instead.

It's always important to research pergola designs before starting their construction. In this design, the pillars are not only functional but also visually appealing.

After construction on the pergola was finished, the landscaping began. Mature wisteria gave an instantly established look while the rest of the plantings took shape.

Pergolas can give definition to any outdoor living area. Here, antiques add even more character to the space, and potted plants tie all the pieces together.