Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Scrap Stone Patio FINITO


 It's been a long time coming! Those of you who've been following for a year or more have seen snippets of this project from time to time. Today we are happy to tell you that after three years of picking away at our UP-cycled  Scrap Stone Patio my handsome Yankee can finally check this big project off of his list! He has worked for an international stone importer/retailer for the last ten years and being drawn to dumpsters the way he is, he came up with the idea for using scrap pieces of granite normally used for counter tops, kitchen islands and bathroom vanities as a patio surface. Fabricators have loads ( literally ) of scrap stone they have to dispose of each week and they were happy to see it go to good use.



The stone was free but what a laborious job! He was out there whenever he had spare time picking away at his project.

 Here he is last winter working on the rock retaining wall with a fire going and hot coffee at the ready!


 Here you can see the stone dust he laid down for the slab pieces as well as the rocks for proper drainage underneath the stone wall. 
Pennsylvania Fieldstone

Getting close to the end of  laying the stone.




Because our patio is a large circle each edge piece had to be cut to size to fit the curve.

 

 The over all design is random because each slab piece varies in colors ranging from gray, charcoal, tan, brown, red and black. Because the scraps were left over from large slab pieces cut for inside jobs most of it is polished on one side to bring out the colors in the granite.



 In this outside application the pieces were turned over so the underside is the surface. We love the look of it this way and it's not slippery when wet!


Here is our Council Ring Patio this fall after a light rain. 

Now, I can dream up what to plant around it to soften the edges ( isn't that just what we girls do ) of his wonderful project. The Yankees got SKILLS! In other words, my FARMBOY ROCKS!

I'm thinking about adding pink or red Knock Out roses above the wall. What do you think ?
 

COST: The most expensive part of this project was the wall. We used almost two full pallets of stone to build the rock wall. $550.00 delivered
Stone dust and gravel : 150.00 delivered 

The Saw: Boz purchased the saw at a used tools place for $40.00 and bought two additional wet saw blades for $20.00 each. 
 Additional Supplies: Sound Proof Headphones, Knee Pads and a Face Mask.  

A patio of this size  " retail " could cost up to 12,000 dollars in our area. Walkways, garden pathways and small sitting areas outdoors would be great places for Scrap Stone too! If you like this idea, find your local Stone Fabricators and pay them a visit. They just might be willing to let go of some scrap stone for you too!

I think you all need to come over for a big garden party to celebrate!  
Linking to this weeks Barn Hop!  
Exciting news over there... Be sure to dosado on over for more great homesteading posts! 

Heidi of My Simple Country Living blog is hosting a new blog hop for gardeners too!

18 comments:

Trails of Grace said...

I love upcycling! He did an amazing job and you too (taking care of him.. coffee, moral support etc). It looks great! I know you are both very proud and will enjoy it many times over!

Teresa said...

That is so wonderful! What a nice feeling to have it completely finished.

Farmgirl Heidi said...

Oh Deb,
Your Yankee outdid himself. It's beautiful and wow, such savings too. I can just imagine you sitting out there on a nice summer evening sipping mimosa by tealight. I am so happy for you.

Melanie said...

It is just lovely!! Your fellow did a wonderful job, I know that you will enjoy this area!

Alica said...

What a beautiful patio! What a sense of accomplishment he should feel after completing a beautiful job like this!
(and I must say, those field stones look just like the ones we have here in our Pennsylvania fields!) :)

Country Gal said...

A beautiful patio and stone wall ! Lots of hard work and time went into it but now you can enjoy it ! Fantasic work ! Ok what time do ya want us all there LOL ! knock out roses would look great there ! Have a wonderful day !

Linda said...

I love this idea!!! Something to enjoy for a very long time!

Allison of A Farmgirl's View said...

Wow! what a fabulous idea! I can see us doing something similar under our deck! Look out hubby, I'm thinking of adding to the list lol. It does look really nice and think the roses would be perfect!
Good job Boz!

Candy C. said...

That turned out GREAT!! I think roses would be very nice along the top! What a wonderful patio for a fraction of the cost of having it done! Good job Boz!! :)

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

That's pretty and a great way to save money and use something that might have gone to waste. I really like this.

Michelle said...

It looks like something a designer would got paid a lot of money to do. It is absolutely beautiful!

Corinne & Damo said...

Ohh..you've just started something here! That is so beautiful! We have a rose here called 'double delight' ~ I think they would be just right, soft but with just enought brightness to lift it during the cooler months :) Enjoy making the garden...I'm off to ask my hubby for one of those ;)

Bonnie K said...

Great job it is beautiful. I am so impressed. Especially by the cost. Thank you for sharing such an inspiring project.

Janice K. said...

Wow! This is simply wonderful! Don't you LOVE a man that has a vision and has the skills to complete it???? I, too, am blessed with a many skilled husband...

Tilly's Nest said...

It came out beautiful!! I would do creeping phlox near the wall directly and a 3 foot flower bed behind with assorted perennials and roses too:). Congrats!!

Unknown said...

Boz sends a BIG THANK YOU to all the ladies of Dandelion House for your kind words about his handiwork!

Tilly's Nest, I love your garden ideas!

Damo Corrine Jacob, I'm going to research the " double delight" rose you suggested too!

HIBISCUS HOUSE said...

That is beautiful work! That is hard work! I love it.

Athena at Minerva's Garden said...

This is absolutely stunning! Working with rocks always seems like a good idea when you start out, especially if you get some for free, but man oh man, is it ever hard work when you are in the midst of it. My husband put stone and concrete retaining walls throughout our backyard, and it was a ton of work, but really lovely now and makes the space so much more useable and liveable.

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