Decide what size patio you need. 50 pavers is (7 x 7) +1 -- so an area about 14 - 14 1/2' square (depending how much space you leave between the pavers). 50 pavers can also be (6 x 8) +2 -- so about 12 - 12 1/2' by 16 - 16 1/2'. If this amount of space isn't enough, you can buy a few more pavers or stepping stones at a building supply or home renovation store (take into consideration any needed walkways, as karinl mentioned). If your same pavers aren't still available, keep in mind that a good contrast is better than a bad match. (You could also use four 12" pavers instead of selected 23 1/2" pavers; I don't know how well that would work, though.) You can have a different color border, or a design in the middle. For instance: M O O O O O O M ..... O O O O O O O O ...... O O O O O O O O O O O M M O O O .... O M M M M M M O ..... O O M O O M O O O O M O O M O O ..... O M O O O O M O ..... O M M O O M M O O M O O O O M O ..... O M O O O O M O ..... O O O M M O O O O M O O O O M O ..... O M O O O O M O ..... O O O M M O O O O O M O O M O O ..... O M O O O O M O ..... O M M O O M M O O O O M M O O O .... O M M M M M M O ..... O O M O O M O O M O O O O O O M ..... O O O O O O O O ...... O O O O O O O O [On the left: 48 original pavers (2 left over) and 16 new pavers. The other two use 44 original pavers (6 left over) and 20 new.] Here's how v1rtu0s1ty did it (begin at the back of the thread to find the paver design more easily). http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/design/msg0802193616658.html?76 Make mock-ups of the designs you're considering. You can color on graph paper, or make your own graph paper in Microsoft Paint and fill in each square with a click of the mouse. (Paint is part of every Windows operating system; you'll find it under "Accessories" -- though it's been pointed out to me before that if you've never used Paint, it takes a while to learn.) Or take contrasting colors of construction paper, cut them into 1 or 2" squares, and lay them out on a tabletop. Or take two colors of 3x5 cards and cut them into squares.

cjcj... honestly I can't remember any answers to your questions. Looking at the tile I know I used gray portland/sand/water and maybe some of the liquid acrylic admix they sell at lowes (and everywhere else). The proportions have escaped my mind entirely but one part gray portland to 2 and a half parts sand would be close. I think any recipe you would try would work fine. The irritating thing about hardibackerboard is that at first you don't think the concrete is going to stick to it. The board has concrete in it so you know it has to adhere but it just doesn't look "right". go experiment a little. Any technique I have used has worked. I have "painted" the surface with slurry first. I have just slapped a glob on and waited and that worked. I have brushed the board with bonding liquid first and that worked. I have sprayed the board with water first so it won't suck the moisture out of the concrete and that worked. I have used quickwall with fibers - my mix of portland with fibers.... both worked. I have used the board as a substrate for a mosaic of odds and ends by laying on a thick coat of concrete and embedding metal, glass, tile, mesh, etc objects in for a test. The only thing that didn't work there was the leather I added on top and I never had much hope for that. The colors were very watery washes of the typical little plastic bottles of 79 cent waterbased hobby paints. I hope any of this helps. Please go make a bunch of tiles. I need the inspiration of seeing some more ideas!! Laura

Yes, I understand ... concrete contractor for remodeling job made a big mistake pouring my front concrete porch, the shape is wrong. The angle does not lead to the front door, as planned. Here are some options I'm considering...1) covering it with flagstone- you can use any pavers- need to consider the thickness. They can be set in with sand mortar. 2)covering it with tongue and groove porch material called AERATIS- AERATIS looks like wood, can be painted with porch flooring or ordered in wood tones. 3) DIY acid etching or staining. You can stain it solid color or semi-transparent. Box stores carry them , like paint in price. Basically you just apply them like paint. If you did not seal the concrete , that is even better. I searched the internet and saw some very beautiful finishes. You can also be creative. A light and dark color together created some lovely effects as per the pics. I figure if it chips I can keep the gallon on hand for touch ups. (this will not help me b/c it is the shape I am changing) but I am considering this for other areas of concern. You did not say what you don't like about your concrete porch. For what its worth ... it may not be perfect or as you imagined but in the scheme of things... the boxwoods around it, hanging planters and whatever else you put on the porch it'll dress it up so that I wonder if others will notice what you are seeing. I'm at the age and with enough been-there and done-that experiences that since hubby did all that work for you no matter what you can be proud of him and show it off for that reason. It might help if you let us know what you don't like about it OR what you finally decide to do.

Put a few retaining walls, nice steps to the back yard and few short columns of flower boxes with some sitting area between them and you will have a beautiful raised patio. There are many ways of doing this best way to get a local landscaping company specializing in hardscape designs and based on your budget they will put something together for you. Here is a few examples just to give you an idea what you can do Good luck