Adding a Flagstone Path
Since the day we moved into our home, I haven’t really loved our curb appeal. The walk runs right up against the front window and the pavers have sunken into the ground…It just looks like yuck. I decided it was time to start adding a flagstone path.
I’ve dreamed for years about doing something about our front walk,I’ve dreamed for years about doing something about our front walk,but there were always so many other things to do, it kind of took a spot on the back burner. This last spring, I thought I would play with how I liked it with a curved walk, So I got my shovel out and started digging. I always figure it never costs anything to dig and it’s great exercise.
I curved it and moved some of the sunken pavers just to see how it would look. I also added landscaping by dividing Hostas. I liked it! Now it was just waiting for the right time to do a full blown walk of some kind. My mom called me a few weeks ago and told me her neighbor had a ton flagstone she wanted to get rid of. Bingo!
So I loaded up our mini-van as much as I could without blowing out the shocks, many trips later and a very sore back I started digging again, and digging and digging for the start of adding a flagstone path! One of my neighbors gave me an odd look as he drove by.He kind of did that slooooow roll by thing while he gaped.I think he thought bodies were going in there. You think he would be used to the craziness around here by now. #myneighborsthinkI’mtheweirdneighborwhogoesthroughtheirgarbageandstealstheirbrushpickup
This is after I’ve dug the base,added edging and put landscape fabric down.I have to admit, I have no clue what I am doing.I’ve never laid a flagstone path before. I watched a couple of what I like to call “The school of Youtube” videos, like I did for tiling at the Oak House,but other than that.I am kind of winging it. I am a winging it kind of gal.
This is my progress so far, I hope to finish it up over the next few days. I’ve learned how to chisel and break the rock, how to level each one,and that those stones get flipping heavy after a while. It’s been amazing out working in the beautiful weather we have been having! Someone had a leaf fire going today and the smell just made it feel like fall. Once the path is done, that entire area will be a planting bed and I am going to line the entire thing with Hosta’s and flowers. And, I want to put a bench in front so I can drink a beer,watch the cars go by,and nurse my broken back.:) I’ll be so excited when it’s done though, and I just had to share my progress with you.
Flash forward to the future and see how this flagstone path became a concrete one.
OMG girl! You are a dynamo! My hubby laid a flagstone path (and patio too) at our cottage and that is HARD work. But you will love it in the end. You go girl!!!
xo
jeanne
Thanks Jeanne! I can’t wait until it’s done!
Get it, woman!
Those stones are totally heavy. Watch your back.
Looks great 🙂
-Angie
I know it! And they don’t looks as heavy as they are!
Looks amazing! That is back breaking work..so take it easy!
Thanks Cheryl! I am taking a little break this morning..I’m just a little sore 🙂
Wow! Amazing ! Can’t wait to see it finished ! #that’salotofdigging:)
Thanks Priscilla! I love your hashtag 🙂
My favorite kind of work, breaking back and all! I LOVE what you’re doing – it will add value well beyond what your labor and that flagstone WOULD have cost! Go girl!
I hope so! I can’t wait to see what it looks like when I’m done!
WOW! JEN!
I think you just raised the DIY workout bar!
No rest for you with this hard rock jigsaw puzzle!
w/L
My back hurts for you, but it looks amazing! You defiantly deserve that drink when you are done 🙂
Looking good! Admire your ability to take things into your hands and get ’em done! I have a flagstone walk in my backyard which I hired done. Love it and hope you love yours as well.
Wow! You really lucked out getting all that flagstone! It’s definitely back breaking work, but it’s going to look so great when you’re done. It really is nice to have the satisfaction of a do it yourself project. 🙂
OH my gosh! You are so hard working. You definitely do not have to go to the gym. This is so amazing. I can’t wait to see how it turns out. Everything you do is always so pretty and I’m sure this will be the same.
Ahh, I feel your pain-we did a huge install of flagstone in our front yard one summer. My advice is to use Polymeric sand to sweep into the gaps-it gets watered, and then it hardens like cement.
No weeds/etc etc to ever deal with 🙂
Here’s a link to see our FS( which we found on Craigslist! 75 bucks for three pallets worth).
http://sharingourpath.blogspot.com/2012/06/before-and-after.html
Thanks so much! That is my next step!!!
wow! it looks fantastic! xoox
That looks great, when you are finished come on over, mine needs to be done next!! Di@Cottage-wishes
It looks great! We picked up some river rock on Freecycle about a month ago and I LOVE how it changed the house!
Looks fabulous so far! Can’t wait to see it all completed! Remember to bend at the knees when picking up those stones!! LOL!! ~~Angela
Your personal hard work will make this space even more enjoyable! That is back-breaking stuff, looks great!
Whoa how cool to have all the flagstone.Thanks to your Mom! I can’t imagine…that is hard work girl.But your home is going to rock….no pun intended!
xx
Anne
LOVE IT! I’m tired just looking at the pictures, do you have to take out the muscle rub gel, I can only imagine what your back felt like. My neighbors BTW have a similar opinion of me, I’m always getting the comment, “you’re so crafty”, I suspect it’s not always meant as a compliment. LOL Nice work!
You are my hero!!
Leann
Wow I’m itching to do a similar curb appeal upgrade. Yours looks great. Way to go!
I can’t believe you did all the digging and heavy work by yourself! You are awesome. I can barely dig a hole to put in a big plant!
You could do it!You ares just sore for a day or two after!