PROJECT: Slate Party Pad

These homeowners are notorious entertainers and needed a space to reflect that.

We converted an informal decomposed granite patio, which was long ago the site of a tiny lawn, into a slate stone patio for a better surface to entertain guests. We removed a low growing branch of their beautiful Magnolia tree to open up the space more, allowing us to expand the patio space, which we defined with new moss rock edging. Black slate stone is contrasted with gold granite path fines in the gaps. The paving stones were left as natural as possible for a looser feel.

In the side entrance, we converted an old garden bed into a narrow flagstone patio, using stone from the old patio as a hard surface to support new stock tank raised beds for growing edible plants. We brought in some oversized ceramic pots which match the slate, to give a better home for some older potted plants. We audited the irrigation, updating the system for better coverage. We added a valve for the new container garden and split the back garden into shade and sun zones. With all this done, we added fresh mulch, and they were entertaining the very next day! Oh, and most importantly, we installed low voltage string lights to keep the party going into the night!