Saturday, July 25, 2015

Updating Front Entrance With Flagstone


I've mentioned before that I live in a +55 community.  While the houses next to each other are suppose to look a bit different to get away from the usual cookie cutter appearance, there's still a lot of the same builder's grade amenities like the front concrete walkways and entrances.  Most of our homes have a brick or stone façade and I noticed a few of the home owners started having their concrete entrances and steps covered in the same material as the façade. This is being done by the guy who initially did the facades for the builder but now is making income on the side doing this.  It has become somewhat of a conversation piece as to who would be next to jump on the bandwagon.

My next door neighbor is from Portugal and came to the states when he was in his early twenties as a stonemason.  After a few years, he opened his own custom pool and landscape business, from which he "retired." Shortly after he and his wife moved next door, he created a beautiful stone walkway, patio and waterfall, and stacked stone wall at his home.  It was all handcrafted and really showed off his skills and craftsmanship.  One day, my hubby and I were talking with this neighbor about how some of the other neighbors were having their front concrete entrances covered and he started talking about and showing us some of the flaws in the workmanship -  like not using the same color grout in the mortar joints, uneven bricks and leveling, etc.  He then compared the flaws to his work.  In other words, he is very proud of his creations and a perfectionist in what he does.  And the best part, he offered to cover our front walkway and entrance in whatever stone we wanted!  Yay!

I jumped at the offer since I had been concerned about a crack around the step getting bigger (the builder said they wouldn't fix small cracks such as this) as the house continued to settle.  The crack was the first thing I look at when walking to the front door and considered it an eyesore.




     Since our siding was gray and the stone front had lots of gray in it, I decided to go with gray flagstone.


The workmen took precautions and covered the driveway in plastic.


They started covering the sides with flagstone, first.


Next, the top pattern was laid out:




Making sure every flagstone is level, well-fitted and the joints are even and consisted. 

The area was cleaned and the flagstones washed allowing for set-up time before grouting. 

I really like the bullnose edging!


Grouting the flagstones:



Washing - making sure the flagstone is clean and free of excess mortar.


 The finished look creates a warm welcoming feeling.  I am so thankful and grateful to my neighbor!  It's great to have wonderful neighbors, don't you think!

Now to add more flowers and mulch!

 





The flagstone sure does add a visual interest to the front and serves as an welcoming entrance to our home!


Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Crafting Updating!
 
  




57 comments:

  1. What a transformation for the front of your house. Love the color you chose. Much better than the starkness of the concrete.

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    Replies
    1. amazing natural stone cladding makes the front so inviting, I agree the colour sets the tone.

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  2. Yes, what a transformation of your front walkway...it came out beautifully. I love your urns with the gorgeous cascading ipomoea.

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  3. That turned our just amazing Gail. I love how it looks with the darker grays of the house. It's beautiful!

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  4. Beautiful. I also live in a 55+ community and am limited to how much we can do to the exterior of our homes. We have a stucco home, so had brick pavers put in...driveway, walkway and porch. But I love your flagstone. Had we not done the driveway, this would have been a beautiul option for our style home. What a great neighbor to have.

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  5. Gorgeous work!! and the whole front of your home is BEAUTIFUL!!

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  6. Oh Gail it's so beautifully done! Excellent choice of materials. I'm so glad you didn't use the same material as the facade because it would offer no distinction from the house and frankly be boring! He really did a beautiful job on this!

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  7. Gail,
    Your front walkway and entrance look amazing! I bet you are thrilled with it...I know I'd be. How nice of your neighbor and you got quality work to boot. Win-win! :)

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  8. What a beautiful entrance you have...your neighbors must love it!
    JP

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  9. WOW That looks fantastic Gail!!!! What a beautiful transformation.

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  10. gorgeous! and i love the edging too, the curves are like the perfect companion to the newly done walkway/steps.

    b

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  11. Oh, you don't know how lucky you are to have found a reliable stonemason. Your entrance is beautiful - they did an outstanding job! I just had my walkway and entrance done and it has been & still is a nightmare. Cracked, chipped, thin, thick and uneven pavers, no bullnose edging, just rough cut with a saw. Plus, the original mason skipped out with money that was supposed to pay for more stone! We are on mason #3 and I am still very unhappy, especially after seeing your gorgeous walkway.

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  12. Your entryway looks lovely. What a nice job and it's sure to give others some ideas! Thanks for sharing on Snickerdoodle Sunday.

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  13. It is amazing! Love the flagstone! What a huge difference it made to your home. Just beautiful! xxx Maria

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  14. It looks great the the color of the flagstone pulls out the grays in your stone. I'd like to do something like that on our porch one day down the road. Heather

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  15. Absolutely gorgeous. This totally changed the curb appeal factore to 100 +

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  16. It looks wonderful, they did a great job!

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  17. Your home is beautiful. Love this! They did a great job!!

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  18. My, I love how that looks Gail. What a big difference. I know you must be so happy. Your home look beautiful with all the flowers and urns. Thanks for your sweet visit and prayers.

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  19. What a difference that makes Gail! Such curb appeal that adds. So pretty!

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  20. It looks beautiful Gail !!!
    And I did a post last week on stone cottages - and there's yours - what beautiful curb appeal you have !
    xox

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  21. Gail, It really did turn out beautiful! Your neighbor is a very talented craftsman. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  22. My dear Gail, I am loving the new look! It turned out beautifully. Thanks for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. Hugs to you!

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  23. Your walkway and porch looks amazing Gail. I really like the outside of your house...it all looks so welcoming.

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  24. Gail that is so beautiful. I bet you feel better not seeing that crack each day. What a great neighbour.

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  25. Hi Gail! Wanted to let you know that the Weekly Feature Series is live for one more chance for you to shine. Here is the link so you can check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/08/weekly-feature-series_15.html Have a lovely Sunday! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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