Brick mason is done with his part....

17 years ago

Here are the finished photos of what the "pros" did.

The existing walkway was covered with the brick :

this is the landing and step down from the french doors:

Now this is where I am going to put the rest of the bricks. I need to get from the end of the landing to the "little house" and around to the other gate. Any suggestions for blending the before/after are REALLY welcome !

And then a patio off of the landing so I will have a place for my old willow furniture. I have a swing and two chairs and a coffee table.

Marylu : yes I am going to do the screenings . It is known as "1089" here. My brick guy has volunteered to supervise my efforts and also to let me hire a couple of his willing workers for cash on the weekends. He suggested we do the screenings and then get a grout bag and make up the mix and pipe it between the bricks ( like cake frosting) so that the finished result will not look too different from what he has done. I don't want my work to look like amateur night at the brickyard ...LOL. It going to be a challenge. I am having the rest of the stumps ground on Monday. I have cleared every rock and he is coming back to fine tune the area on the hill. Then the fence guy is coming in a week or so to erect a privacy fence between the neighbors and my area. He will also add more picket fence around the "little house" and mend the old fence and gates.

Whew !! Memo and Holly : oh yeah I am compulsive about getting this done . My DH's 60th B'day is May 10th and I want it to look great for his party. Good motivation.

We are expecting huge storms today so it will soften the ground and I can dig to my heart's content on Sunday....Caroline

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Comments (25)

FlowerLady6
17 years ago
Great job and I think you will do fine with the brickwork you are going to do yourself. Just think 'I can do this'. You do have a nice incentive, your DH's bday to work on this project. Have fun, and don't stress!

Happy brick laying ~ FlowerLady
mary_lu_gw
17 years ago
Looking good! Don't you just love the look of old brick? You have really gotten going with it and such a large project as well. I am sure you will do fine with the brick laying and it sounds like you have help/direction as well. It is always nice to know there is someone to call if you have questions and the possibility of "for pay" helping hands is great too.

I wish I had some of your ambition today. Send some my way, please? Seems like mine took a vacation. Lots to do in the yard, but....
Have a great weekend.
Marylu
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JMO, but seems lucky to me if he is only 2 days or even 2 weeks behind. Also seems lucky to me if he split the bill to fix a previous person's mistakes. We are not DIY'ing but I am GC'ing it, and as such, having to deal with the schedules, etc that normally the homeowner wouldnt have to deal with. I just had to accept that it is part of the job I took on. I know it is frustrating when ppl are late, but I try to understand that things come up on a job that can't be helped, both professional and personal. Professionally, I want it done right, so if something comes up that needs the attention and therefore will make a delay, I would just as soon it be done right, but then that pushes back the schedule, and sometimes the cost. Sometimes personal issues cause delays. Workers are people with lives outside of work also and my crew is giving me 110% but my main guy's baby came up very sick, with issues to his brain, and he needs 4 days of treatments in the city. My framer thought he was safe to wait until we at least had the roof on, but I told him this house can wait, he needed to get that done as soon as he can. I could never live with myself in my nice dry house if I tried to force him to stick to a schedule and his baby had brain damage for the rest of his life. So not only does that make my job later, it pushes back their next job also, but it is the right thing to do. I am new to this whole process of building and bids, but one of my bids, which happens to be the foundation, one was considerably lower than all the rest. I don't know much, but I could tell that the math wasn't right. So I went with another person, as I was afraid of what else might be wrong, what else this guy might hurry through on the job that I would have to pay for, one way or another. I had a hard time finding electrical contractors that would even talk to me. They said they only deal with General Contractors for a couple of reasons. Usually the GC can tell them what exactly is needed, without them losing a day(s) per bid to come up with a supply list and costs, and also due to people adding/changing this or that, and then not wanting to pay for them. The concrete in the wheelbarrel, seems like could have been cleaned out, but then again, if he was doing something time sensitive on your foundation, the basis for your whole house, the last thing on his mind might have been to rinse out the wheelbarrel. I tend to give too much anyways, probably to a fault, but if I have something that anyone can use that will make the job go easier, especially these guys working on my house, it is ultimately to my benefit so that wouldn't be a big deal to me. I understand those items werent yours and you were borrowing them so they were in your care and responsibilty. I guess he borrowed them too, which probably saved some time of having to go and get one, or not doing something that needed to be done because he didnt have the tools available at that moment. I dont know, I am just yakking, and not awake yet but seems to me like this is what most everyone who builds, talks about in terms of cost overruns and being over schedule. But I do agree that it would be nice if everyone was on time and stayed on budget, and it seems like a person should be able to get a bid and that is what it costs, no more, no less, but unforseen things come up and I would sure hate to scrimp on the fundamental things. Maybe when we get closer to the end of the build (and end of the money) some items may have to be adjusted. But I tried to inflate the schedules at the beginning, both time and budget, as these seem to be the common thread that everyone talks about, so I just tried to plan for it from the beginning. Every bid I rec'd, I added $ to it. If it was a 2 week job, I tried to schedule in 3. I thought it might be a little less stressful and maybe not so many surprises that way. So far so good with this method, as it has been really nice when I have been able to adjust my spreadsheet in my favor. It helps to offset those that still went a little over. :-) But I certainly can understand and appreciate your frustration. Seems like a bid should be a bid. I guess if it were a Doctor, doing a scheduled surgery that should cost X amount and take X amount of time, but then he got in there and found something else that needed fixed or something unexpected happened or he could see another doctor's screw up, but it would take extra time and extra money to fix it that wasnt in the "bid" and he had another patient waiting who was also expecting him to be on time, so he just closed me back up and went on cuz it wasn't in the bid or in the schedule.... I dont know, two sides to everything I guess. But I do like it better when it is working in my favor :-)
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User
Original Author
17 years ago
My DH laughs now when I preface a sentence about the garden with "my friend in ....Wisconsin, Portugal, Fl. ...N.C says " ....he thinks it is great that I have so much support and ideas. I really love posting to you all as it keeps me going . So Maru Lu get out there and dig and then post pics so we can oooh and aaah. Your garden is WONDERFUL. I need the inspiration from you all .

I spent a couple hours clearing all the rest of the brush from the hill behind the little house and had DH get out the chain saw and cut several scrub things that were on the fence line. I dug up the last of the rocks...LOL at least it is all I can find til he grinds the rest of the stumps. I taped the stumps and short sticking up roots with blue painter's tape so he will see every one that I want ground.

Now I am going to get a shower and watch "Under the Tuscan Sun" and have a beer. We went to the movie rental place just now.

Come on MaryLu get going !! C.
DYH
17 years ago
WOW! That looks so wonderful! I can't share any brick laying tips (I work with flagstone...and polymeric sand as I've never been good with cake decorating bags). You'll do fine. Keep on posting!

Hope the rains aren't too bad for you. We're expecting torrential rain, too.

Cameron
lorinscott_1
17 years ago
Great looking brick work....good luck with the rest!
Steveningen
17 years ago
This is an amazing transformation. It's going to be a picture when it's all finished and planted up. My heaven's but you are a dynamo. Have you got your plantings all worked out yet? I love the color blue against brick like yours. It just has a Cape Cod cottage feel somehow. I really can't wait for the next installment of pix!

Steven
bloominganne
17 years ago
trailrunner,

Your brick path is awesome. I don't have any advice for the rest of your bricks but whatever you do, please post photos!

bloominganne
rett
17 years ago
Love the pictures! We're getting ready to put in a patio this weekend (now that the rains have stopped) and we're a bit nervous about it, since neither one of us have ever done anything like this. We're using brick pavers. When we bought this house there was nothing off of the house in the back. You just stepped out the door onto grass and mud. The erosion has been terrible so this is our way of trying to stop that. I also want a brick path to lead out to my trellis and raised rose beds.
I was curious, how do you go about finding building materials from old buildings etc? My aunt actually got old glass doorknobs and a few light fixtures from an old building, but she lives in a very small town and was friends with the owner so they just called her up and said, "hey do you want these?" But for the rest of us, is there a website or an organization that I'd call? Because I think it would be neat to have old brick or lighting fixtures from an old building that's being torn down.
It's always great to see pictures of other similar projects. Thanks for sharing!
Rett
curlykat
17 years ago
Caroline, it all looks wonderful!
mary_lu_gw
17 years ago
trailrunner....so, how's it going? I must have heard you yesterday, because I did get busy.

Got all 100 strawberries planted and watered in the new raised beds. Then worked on the new bed along the sidewalk to finish it for planting. Moved 3 peonies over into that bed. Now I am off to start moving other perennials into the bed. Hoping to get done by the end of the day and maybe get mulch on that bed too. DH has plans to extend the picket fence all the way to the corner, so that is why the flower bed has been extended. He might not get the fence done until mid-summer, but I wanted to divide/transplant some perennials from other areas of the yard and spring is the best time to do it here.

Actually thinking of taking Monday off as the weather is supposed to be in the mid-60's and maybe I could get a lot of the mulch pile spread too. Oh yeah, need to prune the roses yet too. Oh...I have another bed to get ready for the 9 roses that are scheduled for delivery the week of 4/24 too! :-( That's it! NO MORE new beds. I AM done.

Keep us posted on your progress.
Marylu
User
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you all . It is such a great feeling to look out this AM and see what has been done in such a short time. I have NEVER ever done anything like this before so each step has been a personal journey.

Cameron : thank you for answering the questions about the sand. I think the grout bag will end up being the way to go. Please let me know any tips for that.

Lorin : thanks for the cheer !

Steven : nope that is where I am hoping to get a lot of help. I don't even know what the plants are that you have put in ! LOL. I LOVE blue flowers. I have plumbago ( white and blue ) and lobelia and ajuga and a moss phlox and some yellow lantana...all of these are sitting patiently in little pots WAITING for me to get a place to put them. I know that hostas and azaleas do very well for me . Also jasmines . I want roses on the new fence and have a list of them that do well out of full sun as I have no full sun even with the tree removal. I will post pics when the fence is in and then will ask for advice on the plantings.

anne: thanks for the compliments!

curlykat: thank you...are you near by ?

rett: I don't know where you are but I Googled salvage and that is how I started. I bought a lot of stuff for inside the house from Nor'east Architectural Salvage outside of Boston. They have a great website and Donna and John are very helpful. I had it shipped via Roadway Trucks to me here in Alabama.There are a bunch of places in the seattle area that have websites. For the brick etc if you are near any big city you will find salvage yards listed in the Yellow Pages. The brick came from 40 min away in Columbus Ga. It is way cheaper than new bricks or pavers and is in perfect condition packed 600 bricks to a flat. Good luck on the patio. I will need more help I am sure. Caroline
mary_lu_gw
17 years ago
trailrunner...I have a BIL in Columbus, GA. Several years ago we were there visiting/vacationing.
Marylu
Bamateacha
17 years ago
Oooo-la-la, Trailrunner! That brick is divine! I love watching your garden evolve--keep posting those pictures. If I ever figure out how to post pictures within my posts, I'll add a few projects we've got going for advice. ;)
FlowerLady6
17 years ago
Caroline ~ So, how is the 'digging' going today? Is the weather co-operating for you? Can hardly wait to see what you do with all of those bricks. I know it will look great!

I also love blue flowers, do you have spiderwort? They are so easy and they spread all by themselves. : -) Blue daze is another easy flower.

Looking forward to see your gardens surrounding your brick patio and paths.

How was 'Under the Tuscan Sun'? Sounds like it would have been good with a beer.

FlowerLady
allison0704
17 years ago
Caroline, I came over to see what you've been doing - it all looks great (although I can't get any photobucket links to bring up pictures). Our last house was built with old brick so when it came time do to the backyard retaining wall, we purchased old brick. I visualize hostas and holly ferns between the walkway and house. I second the vote for spiderwort - I had a lot of it at our last house. Can't be beat.

I'm going to start coming over here more often...which might not be a good idea! You're doing a great job!

{{gwi:653372}}
User
Original Author
17 years ago
Marylu I sure hope you get to visit again. We are so close to Columbus. There are some beautiful restored areas near the river. We are going to the RiverCenter tonight to see Lily Tomlin.

Bama : I love your photo of the arbor. Your garden is beautiful.

Flowerlady. Nope it is so windy and cloudy and cold today that I am taking the day off. Didn't get to the movie yet but I have it for several days.

allison : what a glorious garden you had. I have a fountain that I am going to move to the back brick patio. Also plan on nore white azaleas . I had forgotten about spider wort. It is everywhere around here. Seems to grow wild.

There is a plant sale at a friends house on 4/22. It benefits Habitat so I always go. She will have hostas and ferns Maybe Spiderwort too. I will see what I can get. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
keesha2006
17 years ago
soooo pretty..sooooo cottage...looks great..I am with the others, looking forward to continued pics and progress as it "greens up".
mary_lu_gw
17 years ago
One word of caution on spiderwort. It spreads by roots underground. Be careful where you plant it. For my gardens it was invasive. I have worked for 5 years to get rid of it. I THINK I have it gone.... Best to plant it within some sort of boundary that it can not spread beyond. Like concrete! At least that was my experience. YMMV
Marylu
rett
17 years ago
Caroline--thanks for the tip on the salvage! I'll have to give it a try.

Allison--the pic of your garden was awesome. Looks like something in a magazine!

Rett
allison0704
17 years ago
My last posts reads weird - the links that I couldn't get to open are in another thread.

I do miss all the azaleas and the fountain, but the lake is a nice replacement. I had several varieties of spiderwort - some from a nursery and others from the roadside; those had smaller/thinner leaves. I didn't find it to be invasive at all. It did spread but wasn't aggressive. I need to put it on my list for next week when this cold front moves on.

Thank you, rett. We lived there 20+ years, raising three children. I thought I would miss the house and yard but it's been fun starting over and doing something different.
natal
17 years ago
I'd never heard of spiderwort, but after reading this and checking Floridata I think I'll try some in one of my new beds. I have an area similar to yours Caroline ... a narrow bed between a brick walkway and the house. I was planning on filling it with plumbago, dwarf gardenia, false indigo, strawberry begonia, and maybe some Indian Pink, but I'll find room for a little spiderwort now.
fammsimm
17 years ago
Rett,

Defintely look up Architectural Salvage in your phone book or on line. Another source would be your local historical society, or if you have sections of town with historical designations contact their homeowners association for referrals. Archit. salvage stores are great places to browse. You never know what you will find.

Allison,

What a peaceful area. I would love to curl up with a good book and enjoy the day in that corner of your old garden. Change is good, and I hope you are enjoying the creation of something new. :-)

Caroline,

It's looking really nice! What a great transformation, in such little time. I'm really enjoying the ride along the way! :-) Please keep posting pictures!

Marilyn
angelcub
17 years ago
I'm lovin' that brick, Caroline! I'm really enjoying following your progress so please keep posting those pics.

Alison, I agree with Marilyn - what a peaceful looking area. And welcome! : )

I've grown spiderwort for many years and have never found it invasive. But I am in a dry area and since this plant can be grown in water gardens, I suspect in areas with abundant rain/snow it would spread readily.

Diana
allison0704
17 years ago
Thanks everyone. I wish we had owned a digit camera while living there. We did so many things to the yard, front and back. Maybe I'll take pictures of pictures and start a thread.

The only problem I've had with spiderwort is during the hot/humid summer - too much rain and it would rot, but it always came right back up and bloomed again. That's one reason I love it so much - in my area it blooms from spring thru fall.

I'm looking forward to seeing the progress in your garden, Caroline.
DYH
17 years ago
Hello Allison! :-) Yes, you need to check in here more often, we're having fun! These gardeners are just fantastic!

Tradescantia is the name to use to try to find spiderwort at a nursery. 'Sweet Kate' is an interesting variety. I had spiderwort ages ago at another house and it never got out of the bed where it was planted. I gave some of it to a friend and she still has it, so I hope to get a sprig from my original plant and add to a moist area in one of my current borders.

Cameron

Brick mason is done with his part....

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