The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:04 am**

REPEAT OF RECENT MESSAGE -REALLY NEED TO MAKE A DECISION SOON -PLEASE HELP!

Hello, I could really do with some feedback on my patio ideas. The patio which will be outside my new conservatory. The size is 2.7 by 6 m. My house is a small cottage, white rendered, a slate roof, paths are Purbeck stone crazy paving style. I am trying to achieve a cottagey, informal look.

I have found some tumbled Indian limestone which matches quite well, but in order to get the colours I want I am restricted to two sizes - 275mm x 275mm and 275mm x 560mm - (I have found a very helpful supplier who'll let me sort through the crates, but only has these two sizes available for this).

I have drawn up a plan laying them as randomly as possible, using predominately the larger size. I'm planning to butt them up against each other - no mortar. BUT I am a little worried that the slabs are too small and might look a bit busy. What do you think?!

I have also considered brick pavers or cobbles, as a complete contrast. By the way I have looked at Purbeck, but new is still to be quarried and I don't have time to wait and reclaimed is extortionate! Sorry this is such a long first post. I am going round and round in circles and would really appreciate your opinions -whatever they are!

Thank you very much

Posted: **Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:10 pm**

hi there wren here,the reson no one replied is that you are asking for subjective information
there is no yes/no black /white
to your query
but in the interests of helpfulness i will give my tuppenceworth
1 you get what you pay for: if you buy very cheap the job will look cheap
2 for a cottagy effect ,lay the slabs with say 50mm gaps between them,and fill this with a local decorative gravel
3 the sizes you mention are very small,personally i wouldnt want to lay a patio in these 2 sizes,imo it would look mickey mouse; 560 by 560 and 900 by 560 would look more effective
4 dont forget to dress the patio with lavender, jasmine ,tubs etc.
5 look here for more ideas
hope this helps
LLL

Posted: **Fri Mar 09, 2007 12:03 pm**

Dear LLL

Thanks so much for your reply!

Really appreciate your comments. I think you are right about the micky mouse effect - I had this in the back of my mind, but was supressing it!

Am now looking harder at brick pavers, a contrast to the existing purbeck, and will hopefully achieve a more informal look.

Wrenhere

Posted: **Fri Mar 09, 2007 12:25 pm**

Just two sizes of the Injun stone will look awful. It's almost impossible to get a crazy/random look to it with only two sizes and laying them butt-jointed will virtually guarantee problems.

Now: if you were to go for the Injun Sandstone tumbled blocks, rather than flags, that would work much better as they are smaller units and the fact that there are only 3 sizes is less obvious.

Posted: **Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:52 pm**

Have today received brick paver samples from Chelmer Valley Brick and they look really good - nice mix of colour, and already aged appearance.

So thank you both for your advice!

Wrenhere

Posted: **Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:59 pm**

Luvverly stuff, them there Chelmer Valley bricks - a bugger to lay, but they don't half look smart when they're down.

Posted: **Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:00 pm**

Bugger to lay because they're a bit uneven? My expert and very patient builder will be doing it - anything in particular I should pass on to him?

Posted: **Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:54 am**

Bugger to lay because they aren't dimensionally accurate - no clay pavers are. Awkward to align, unless you're accustomed to working with them.

The Brew Cabin

Help with patio design - Please, someone give me their opinion!