Help with Paver Stone Pattern/ Hardscaping/ Landscaping

27 days ago

Hi There,

Is it better to have the black paver accent stones go around the steps by the front door or under them? See the last picture sample. Or does it matter? The other stone is Mareaux Beige (tan/beige). Our house has black windows, red siding, and mixed medium stone.

Any other comments on the design are welcome. We are supposed to start next week and I have no idea what I'm doing. These plans are from the landscaper.

Thanks for your help!

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Comments (4)

3onthetree
27 days ago
Are the stairs existing?

Unless the stairs contribute to the design and pattern of the patio, I would say that in many cases "picture framing" around a small obstacle can be distracting to the overall pattern, especially if they combine with other "visual noise" like intricate railings, multiple styles of stone/brick, multiple colors, multiple closely adjacent picture frames, etc.

Realize that in the proposed scheme the border of your square-ish patio reinforces that this is a landing for both porch circulation routes, giving them equal importance, instead of a front vs back door. There is not a wrong way, just choices.

If it were designed wholistically from a blank sheet of paper, the stairs could align with the border, or the stairs might be better being the width of each of their respective porches.
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chispa
27 days ago
KISS!

That photo is a mess. Too many materials, colors, sizes, etc.
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dani_m08
27 days ago
I don't think it really matters - it's more of a personal preference.

I had a new patio built a few years ago - and I was pretty sure that the dark charcoal gray colored accent pavers went under the two sets of steps that go out to the patio - but I still had to double check before posting my comment (and I was right - they do go under both sets of stairs).

Both of my sets of stairs are on the back side of the house - they don't provide access to the front porch - and a simpler design makes sense.

I've seen it done both ways - however, I like the "cleaner" look of having the accent pavers run under the stairs - regardless of whether it's the front or back of the house.
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Leanne
Original Author
27 days ago
Thank you all for your comments! @3onthetree The stairs will be new, similar to the photo attached in this comment but a more natural colour and wider.

@chispa I actually liked it but I think I'm just drawn busier patterns. BUT I have made many many mistakes like my busy backsplash. I appreciate hearing this as I didn't see it! My exterior has quite a bit going on already so I'm hoping the Margaux Beige and Black look alright, I narrowed it down to just two colours!

@dani_m08 Yes, I wasn't sure if it would look cleaner or if it would look like we forgot to go around the steps. Thanks for sharing what you did!
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