Storing replacement pieces for the funky sidewalk?

I love the arched door. Other than that, lots of room for repair/improvement.

Possibly the pavers were there to smother weeds???

That door! And the front walkway. Love.

I wonder if the pavers were put there for somewhere to step if access was needed back there (for trimming, weeding, etc)? Or they just had leftover pavers and didn’t know where else to put them.

Ask me how I know about the latter … :D

I always tell the clients asking why the previous owner did things the way they did is a waste of time. It's your house now. Make it work for you the way you want it to be.

My guess is weed suppression and/or keeping plants away from the house. it's not good to have bushes up against wood.

They were thinking what I always think: " Can I go inside now?"

They were probably used to access behind the foundation shrubbery. Here are some suggestions :

Rip it up and plan a nice outdoor area.

Gasp! Doug the photo you show has a purply tree at the top left. There is a overgrown one on the left side of sons house! All I could find online was that it is a Japanese Maple. Is it really or is it something else? I would like one in my yard but suspect they do not thrive in zone 5 at the base of Lake Michigan.

Here is some info on the Japanese Red Maple shown:https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=257201

And I thought you were talking about the sidewalk.

I love that sidewalk, they were common back then (especially with Tudor houses).

A similar one:

The OP’s son’s is much nicer. So charming!

I’m with Ci_lantro, looking for comments about the boldly painted rocks!

They aren’t painted, they’re flagstone. Comes in many colors.

A more modern application of slate (type of flagstone):

An old Tudor in Tuxedo Park, great patio and paths in it:

https://www.lohud.com/picture-gallery/life/2014/05/21/the-julliard-family-carriage-house/9397803/