Maybe it's because more than a foot of snow fell yesterday, but in the midst of a very white winter I'm dreaming of spring. Not in the traditional sense--thoughts of crocus and daffodils poking through the snow drifts--but in terms of the ground being covered in anything that's not white!
Anyone who has read previous posts through the years has discovered that I have an obsession with stones. Maybe I was a geologist in a previous life! More likely, as my interest in landscaping grows, I've started to understand how vital non-growing things are to beautiful garden designs. Rocks, stones, wood, soil, mulch. All play their part in the mixing and matching of a miraculous outdoor setting.
One interest I've always harbored, but is now bordering on the obsessive, is the idea of incorporating pebble-stone mosaics into my walkways and patios. My husband is skeptical. I'll have to do a lot of convincing because, let's face it, he'll be doing a lot of "helping out" in this creative endeavor. Creating stone or pebble mosaic patios are not for the weekend-project set, unless you plan on stringing a number of weekends together. It takes a good deal of stone gathering to create even a small patio, so I've decided to start small, focusing my energy on a mosaic stepping-stone walkway.
The first thing to do is collect stones. Since that won't be possible if the stream beds around you are frozen and snow-covered, I suggest checking out drain rock. I have a bulk-stone supplier in my town. He has handy sample boards of every stone he carries displayed in the office next to his desk and three Boston Terriers, who accompany him to work each day. I'm not gonna lie, I go there to visit with the dogs as much as to see what's new in stone style. The best thing about this setup is that he will bag any variety and amount of stones I want. This makes for easy transport as well as allows me to play around with different types of pebbles and stones. If you don't have a local stone supplier, there's always good ole Amazon, which offers bagged decorative stone in all shapes and sizes.
For beginners like me there's an even easier option: pre-laid pebbles and stones on mesh backings (see photo, above). For those experiencing a time-crunch, or are unsure of their creative abilities, the prepared 12"X12" tiles may be the way to go. They're available in a variety of stones and finishes and can be found at Lowe's, Home Depot, Amazon, Wayfair, and a number of other online stores. They're a bit more expensive, but the effect is guaranteed to be more uniform.
Why would anyone want to go mosaic? Like anything else, it's a matter of preference, and a chance to get creative. Stone and pebble mosaics have a long, rich history which, to me anyway, is charming. Dating back centuries to many areas of the world, some of the most impressive examples can be traced back to Portugal and Spain. Lisbon sidewalks boast swirling pebble patterns and the Plaza de Espana in Seville offers great examples of this art, in the form of acres of pebbles set to resemble undulating waves.
As for my efforts, I'm gathering the stones. I'll document the process as I prepare and lay the actual walkway. Stay tuned, more to come!
No comments:
Post a Comment