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!