Pavers are actually quite easy to install and really only require one tool to be rented, a plate compactor. The heavy work is in excavating the area to about 6 and 1/2 inches below grade and moving the dirt. Then you build up the base with crusherun/crush&run which is a crushed stone. Build it up in 2 layers running the compactor over the area. A homeowner can use a 4 foot level and a 2x4 board to help get the crushed stone base to a proper pitch and close to even. Remember that the base should extend about 6" beyond the last paver.

The exact level surface is then done using 3/4" iron pipes. You will need at least 2 pipes. Lay the pipes across the base and check with a level to see if you have the proper grade. Use a little sand to adjust the pipes. With the pipes set, you begin shoveling the sand into the area and with a straight board, you screed (drag) the sand. You are left with a perfectly level surface of sand. As you move along, remove the pipes and fill the gaps with sand. Remember to not walk on the sand once it is screeded.

For a larger patio, we usually work in sections laying pavers as we go so that we can then work off of the already laid pavers. The chosen pattern will dictate any cutting. For a few cuts, a grinding wheel on a circular saw will suffice. For lots of cuts or cutting curves on a patio, a large gas powered cut-off saw with a grinding wheel or diamond wheel is necessary. We also use a large sliding table tile saw to custom cut some pavers.

Once the pavers are all laid, install the edging strips. Then, run the compactor over the pavers to bed the pavers in the sand. You will have a perfectly level and smooth paver patio/walk. It does not require setting each paver individually. While compacting, you will sweep regular sand or polymeric sand into the joints. If polymeric sand, follow the manufacturer instructions on sweeping, compacting, and wetting.

See the following photos for the process. As an example of how fast pavers can be installed, 3 of us installed the paver walkway seen in the photos in one day. We followed the same path of an existing paver walkway that was improperly installed. The one day included all excavation and all installation and clean-up.

if these two plants are just attractive weeds, a variety of phlox or something else? Either way, I wanted something to spill over the wall. Thanks so much for your help!

re-used the furniture I had & made it work for the short term.

Slowly, I began adding in the pieces that I wanted & finally bought the sectional a few months ago. I don't think I am alone in saying that, sometimes we want so much for our home to look a certain way, the way we see in magazines but we forget that these

things take time. A room that is layered & filled with items and details that you LOVE evolves, over time. I had to tell myself this a few times:).

This family room makeover was done on a ridiculously SMALL budget.

I do believe that making your home pretty doesn't have to break the bank.

I shopped thrift stores, flea markets, outlet stores,I repainted, recovered, sewed, re-purposed, made and built things myself

to save some $.

Click link below for FULL post with source guide.

build what I wanted), but he should have mentioned water run-off. when it rained hard, the mulch would wash out of the bed between the two patios. So I installed metal edging, added gravel. Two hard rains, and no mulch moved. The only water in the bed has to fall directly on it, so it is doing great. I like the metal edging, very easy to install, looks better than the vinyl rolls, I started with that, but ripped it out and returned it, as it looks so bad, plus it would not be strong enough to hold up the gravel/rocks. Plus a added photo of my front garden for others to get ideas, still need to work on the front garden to the right of the steps though, but it's getting there.

and decided to use landscape timbers. We bought a pond liner first and then built the outer dimensions to coincide with the liner dimensions. He used carpet reminents to line the bottom of the pond and then bought an in-expensive roll of attic insulation and lined the inner edges. Then he added the liner. He used an extra row of landscape timbers on top to help anchor down the stapled liner on top. We added water, a fountain bubbler and a "spitter." Here is the end result. I think he did a great job! We still plan to add pond plants, koi, stain the wood and add plantings around it.

Rather than try to research each one, I found this article in the New York Times that seems to cover several good ones.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/05/garden/new...