I agree the grey pavers are a bit stand out and the white scalloped edging makes it worse. So here is an idea take up a few of the grey units (randomly) and replace with brick coloured ones, put the edging on craigs list. Your patio could then be made from a similar mixture with the emphasis on the brick tone. Place a large terracotta where the chairs are.

Thanks Ink! I like the idea of mixing in terra cotta elements. I already do that with pots, I can never have enough space to grow things, lol! But the whole area is just giving me fits, it's like a geometry problem with the shape.

And I am still unsure about what material to use. I'm leaning against flagstone and gravel now, due to thinking it might be too "busy" and also not barefoot friendly, and I love to walk outside barefoot. So I'm wondering if maybe I should go with grey brick. They make wonderful brick that is a mix of red and grey, mottled, but if it didn't match the red of the garage brick, I'm thinking that would add one more clashing color element.

Also wondering about a pattern for the brick, which will also add another element. I really hate the patio pattern I have, it makes it hard to incorporate the additional patio. I want to make it fit in with the existing hardscaping. I need help from someone with an artistic eye.

Below is a current photo of my yard. As you can see, the white scalloped edging is less glaring now, because it has weathered to grey. It is still just a place holder, but they way I garden I need something to hold back the jungle from the pathway, or I'd be sweeping it every day. But they are just temporary until I get a chance to scrounge thru an old slate slagpile around here for something more organic. Right now I'm focusing on just getting in the patio and the gardens finished.

I'm also posting some shape and color hacking out I have done with MS Paint. The grey seems so oppresive, but maybe not now, considering how overgrown the vegetation is. Another idea BF and I are tossing around is a low deck, made out of treated lumber that would weather to a grey brown. But not only the material, but the shape is giving me fits. I am NO artist!
The yard today:
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Some ideas for patio colors, materials and shapes, (yes, poorly done by an amateur!)
Wood deck?
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Concrete pavers? Shapes?
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I think the shape of the pad you've already laid is pretty good - call it an organic design process! - and I think Ink's idea of patching some red into the grey and vice-versa is brilliant. I'm not clear on why you hate your existing patio or grey brick so much, although I agree a pattern would be nicer. It can be done after the fact! So can altering the patio shape, for that matter. And the pathway shape is nice.

KarinL

Maybe I'll just get a big plastic rug with some kind of earthy pattern to lay on the big patio. They have some amazing ones out now.

It's taking so much time and work just to get the viewing garden on the other side ready, we may just live with what we have for now. The biggest issue is that those large square terra cotta pavers don't really fit quite right for the shape, so dirt collects in between the pavers and the worst weeds get in there, they are impossible to pull out! That whole area was a nasty weed patch last year due to my neglecting it. Wild morning glories are creeping up everywhere! I may have to pull out the pavers just to get a handle on the weeds against the garage wall.

LPink - Changing out the entire patio to incorporate a new section is not necessary. I also love the idea of adding a few randomly scattered red bricks (or pavers) into the new and old patio to bring in the house. I dont know why, but with the seating area, and the small space, this back yard would be a great tuscan style garden. For privacy between houses you might look into a row of italian cypruss trees (due to the space, they would need to be small). Cool space, hope it turns out well.