Attached Timber Pergola over Zen Patio

Design notes

Japanese and zen design work by subtraction. Look for a few well-placed stones, raked gravel or moss instead of lawn, a Japanese maple or black pine pruned to show its structure, a stone basin or still pond, and timber and bamboo screens that hide the rest of the yard. Paths are stepping stones set to slow you down; colours are green, grey and charcoal with one seasonal flash of red.

What to look for

• Clearance under the beams — 8 to 10 feet feels right
• Slat spacing and orientation against the afternoon sun
• Posts placed outside the furniture, never through it