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Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 3:26 pm
by danstan
Hi all
We often get phone calls from customers looking to see Bradstone Panache and Old Town Chelsea Cobble. In conjunction with Bradstone and a local Contractor we installed a display area last Summer to help with this.
With the paving used, the garden has a Contemporary theme - an interesting design feature is the use of Refinement as a Cladding material. Sorry about my video editing skills and my shaky hand!! SEE VIDEO LINK BELOW
Now it has over-wintered, it is not as prestine as when first finished but gives you a good indication of how some of these popular ranges will weather. We shall probably blast if off at the end of Feb to get it looking A1 again.
These ranges are what you would class as Premium range but there are similar alternatives available for less dollar.
Seeing & listening to the reaction of customers, it is still imperative that people see the products in the Flesh before making a Purchase. It is amazing at the amount of people who part with their well earned money by falling in love with a picture perfect brochure image, of a beautifully honed and polished paving somewhere in Monte Carlo - then turning to me and saying ' Thats not that surely, it looks nothing like whats in the brochure ' .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJC9f-c90cA
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 4:37 pm
by lutonlagerlout
looks good Dan,
but surely you could edit out the busy road?
the editing looks fine but you would be better with a tripod.and cameraman's shadow 
oops
I am pretty sure you can use free musak files for stuff when the original sound isnt that great.the gaffer does
cheers LLL
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 4:57 pm
by danstan
Thanks mate... your right, perhaps i should av searched for a nice bit of classical music as opposed the A38, no wonder i'm deaf
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 5:43 pm
by mickg
it looks very good Dan, i never used to like the Old Town Chelsea Cobble style of paving but over the years i have warmed to it
I agree the road needs to be edited or turn the sound off on the camera when you video the paving next time
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 7:50 pm
by jonnyboyentire
Perhaps sweep the leaves off first too?
I love that sawn planking.
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 7:55 pm
by Mikey_C
just curious, but are those slabs butt jointed?
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:08 pm
by danstan
Hi again
yes, no noticeable joint and no pointing, but as with most imported stone, some variation of size to allow for when laying....
I did have a good sweep off before shooting but to be honest, i didn't intend it to be a full professional presentation, just one thing led to another when playin' about..... I may get it done properley a bit later in the season..
anyway, adds to the authenticity of how it will look in the garden 
Dan
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:30 am
by London Stone Paving
Also when people are buying sawn paving they are a lot more particular about what they want and will be much more critical of small chips and colour variation. The stone is so clean cut that any chips or blemished will easily stand out.
We've been importing sawn paving for a few years now and we have to spend loads of time with the suppliers working on the quality and packaging etc in order for the stone to arrive in the UK in tip top condition. Most foreign suppliers dont understand the requirements of customers over here. (apart from our German suppliers, but no surpise there)
Dan, I am assuming that the two tone paving has been part honed and part sandblasted?
What do you think of this stuff? Is it popular?
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:51 pm
by haggistini
I have installed the Brett panache sawn and the Marshalls argent beveled both with 10mm and 6 mm joints respectively and to be honest found they both stain easy but the look is modern opted for polymeric sand on both and they need regular pressure cleaning to keep them looking fresh still nice down though, you might want to look at some kind of adhesive when butt jointing?
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:47 pm
by lutonlagerlout
nice work there hagi
i went to install a hearth saturday on a house in hitchin where I laid a saxon 600 by 600 unit patio 4 years ago
the whole thing has that minging green hue
I tried a bit of bleach but told the guy to get that mouldbuster mentioned on here
LLL
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:38 am
by danstan
Hi London
I must admit, whenever you speak to some of the large national suppliers, they all say that the premium range is growing in popularity, and they continue to add to the range each season - i think its their move away from trying to compete on the standard Indian flags which as we all know, has been killed in terms of making any money.
We keep around 4 or 5 colours of sawn and honed paving, and it is popular (popular enough to keep stock) but don't get me wrong, its not something we sell every week. We keep a couple of colours that we bring in ourselves in which the customer can expect to make a saving of around £10-£15 per m2 compared to some of the products widely seen in the popular brochures picked up in most merchants. I would also imagine that there is more of a market for these products in your location London?
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 9:44 am
by London Stone Paving
Nice work Hag, looks tidy.
My suppliers have been offering this type of material for a couple of years now. I have seen all sorts of various designs using sandblast and polish to achieve the two tone effect. One supplier has been offering me a waved effect.
Not convinced by it yet to be honest. I respect thte fact that people aree out there trying to create new stuff but it seems like innovation for the sake of innovation to me.
I have got this supplier over in India and everytime I go over to see him he has got all these crazy ideas to show me.
One was paving with polka dots on it (I kid you not, will, try and dig out a photo). The other one which was pretty cool and chavvy in equal measures was a map of the world made from hand cut Indian sandstone.
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:05 pm
by Tony McC
London Stone Paving wrote:I have got this supplier over in India and everytime I go over to see him he has got all these crazy ideas to show me.
You think you get presented with some crazy ideas? Did I tell you about the fish-shaped interlocking paver that some bloke had invested 50 grand in developing and pestered me with for much of last year?
Which part of "you're a nutter" did he find difficult to understand?
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:40 pm
by danstan
Fish Shaped Block Paver ...... I shanna be investin', I'M OOOT!
