Proposed deck designs

Green indicates existing trees and shrubs, yellow is patio furniture (for scale).

• Design #1
  
• Design #2
  

NOTE: I CHOSE DESIGN #2 (but changed the seating area to 12' wide instead of 8')!

Here are some photos:

In the beginning, there was wood. Lots of wood.

• All of the wood that I need for the support structure.
  
• The back beam against the house.
  
• Most of the beams for the first section.
  
• Most of the beams for the first section, second photo.
  

  The joists are layed out

• A view of the first section with the hot tub pad
  
• Another view of the first section, and oops, I missed a paver!
  
• The next major beam is laid out for the second section
  
• Another view of the new beam for the second section (8' x 11')
  

  The hot tub arrives!

• The hot tub arrives! Eight very cool people (or, at least seven) carried it to the backyard
  
• Dop appraises jeffr's driving
  
• jdugan and Dop try to figure out how to get it off the trailer
  

  The final joists are installed

• The joists are finally hung! (yes, that gap is supposed to be there)
  
• Another view showing the hot tub better
  
• A view from the back towards the house
  

  One side is done, and the furniture arrives

• All of the furniture in one corner
  
• Another view
  

  The cedar decking is all laid out!

• What you see when you first walk into the yard
  
• Another view from the backyard
  
• Yet another view showing the grill and bay window
  

  Finally, steps and railings!

• The view when you first enter the backyard
  
• Looking more to the right
  
• A view from the backyard towards the house
  
• The eating area from outside
  

  Care to have a seat?

• Here's a table that you can sit at for a cool afternoon lunch
  

  Coming soon... Hidden storage areas and nighttime pics with lights

  There are still some finishing touches to put on the deck. These include electrical outlets, hinges on the doors for hidden underdeck storage, putting a screen around the base of the deck to keep critters from nesting under there, etc. But the main part is finally finished.