The masonry used in your landscape will be there for generations. It will help your home achieve a specific look that brings back fond memories and sets the tone for your further landscape renovations. When selecting the right masonry products for your landscape, there are few more beautiful and useful than natural stone. Ask yourself: have you got an outdoor living project pending in Bergen County, NJ? Here are four impressive ideas for using bluestone and other natural stones.
Maximizing Your Landscape
There is so much that can be changed with a simple choice in masonry, but in modern design, there are plenty of options. There is no rule in the playbook that says a single patio must make up the majority of an outdoor living space. In fact, many landscape designers recommend using interconnected patios to maximize your landscape.
Each one of these mini patios will have a specific purpose, whether it’s relaxing by the fire, enjoying the view, hosting a hot tub party, dining with friends and family, or playing games with the kids. If you can’t decide which natural stone to use, no problem.
Even if you have one patio, you could use a variety of natural stones to add interest: for example, combining large format stone slabs with smaller contrasting accents and borders.
Choosing the Perfect Stone(s)
Several types of stone are consistent favorites in landscaping: sandstone, limestone, and bluestone.
Sandstone is an incredibly versatile material that comes in a range of warm, earthy colors such as reds, browns, yellows, and tans. Sandstone is especially advantageous in areas of high moisture such as pool decks or in shady areas behind the house. It is naturally water-resistant and has a strong grip for both shoes and bare feet. In order to best protect a sandstone surface for many years, it is recommended that you seal it every couple of years. The sealing prevents spalling (flaking) from water infiltration. Once this is done, the hardscape will last for many years.
Bluestone is a favorite stone for walkways and patios. This type of flagstone features gorgeous steely blue hues that add serenity and complexity to any outdoor living space. In contrast to the warmer and earthier tones of sandstone, bluestone has tones of gray and subtle blues that can complement any modern home and landscape and make them look spectacular. It can even have little flourishes of browns, rust, and tans that make for a beautiful color and texture.
Limestone is a finely-grained stone that typically comes in a range of gray tones. Its sophisticated appearance elevates your outdoor living space and creates a gorgeous backdrop for your outdoor activities.
Tying It Together
If you choose to go with the mini-patio idea, you can use several kinds of stone, each making up a different mini patio to give each patio its own character, and tie the look together with a consistent border such as brick. Brick is a versatile material that looks good with a variety of natural stones. Whether you use it as a border or as a decorative accent, it’s like the “little black dress” - that goes with everything.
Stone Accents
Staying within the same color family is the best way to combine different types of stone. For example, cool grays and blues (such as dark charcoal limestone as an accent for bluestone) go well together, as do warm browns, reds, and tans (for example, reddish sandstone paired with clear or pink-toned quartzite).
Related: BLUESTONE, LIMESTONE, AND OTHER STONE OPTIONS TO CONSIDER IN ULSTER COUNTY AND SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY
