Under Construction

The first picture I have included was the homeowners inspiration for the project.  They both liked the larger stones and the mixture of colors on this home. 

On the first visit to our showroom the homeowners picked out this sample panel as the closest match to the look they were trying to achieve.  They did not like the orange colors in the panel below and they did not like the chiseled look of the stone. 

 

 

We shipped a sample pallet to the jobsite for a mock up approval by the homeowners shown below.  The homeowner approved the mock up by the stone mason on site and decided to go with the Weathered Fieldstone Squares. 

 

Here is the house before any exterior siding or stone.

 The pool contractors were on site getting ready to pour the pool.  Which as you will see soon will also have stone incorporated.

The material arrived on site.  For this project the homeowner decided to use full bed veneer stone.  It took us 5 full semi-loads to get all the material on site.  Had they decided to use sawn back natural thin veneer the amount of loads would have been reduced to two.   Something to think about when you plan out your project.  However, the owners felt that the look feel and insulation (energy saving) properties of full depth stone was important to them.

This gives you an up close look at Weathered Fieldstone Squares with a joint.  The mortar is still dark because it has not dried.

TO BE CONTINUED

Fireplace featured in Charleston Style and Design

Walking around the interior of this newly built Daniel Island home, Darryl Cobb points out the, "dry stack fireplace as the rustic focal point of the family room, where furnishings and finishes reflect comfortable livability. An abundance of French doors parlays the porch space into one extravagant living area."  Cobb goes on to describe all of his design touches as finely crafted art or sculpture in the Charleston Style an Design article.  The Turner Residence in Smythe Park has become an impressive showpiece for Cobb Architects as well as the builder Steven Kendrick of Structures. The homeowners visited the Fieldstone Center showroom several times in the construction of their home to hand select the Dry stacked Smoky Mountain Fieldstone on the fireplace as well as the Full Color Natural Cleft Pennsylvania Bluestone material for their hearth in the living room.  The Turners also decided to incorporate a thermal bluestone surround for the fireplace on their exterior porch. Click here to see the rest of the article.

ASLA CEU on Permeable Pavers

 

 

 

Thanks to all who came out in the rain to learn about Permeable Paver systems.  We were privileged to have a representative of Belgard Hardscapes come and speak at our office on December 12th. Ashley Snead has been with Belgard Hardscapes for over 12 years.   In his discussion Ashley addressed design and construction of projects as well as features and benefits of permeable pavement systems. Below I have included some bullet points highlighting the advantages of permeable pavers. 

 

 

 

Advantages of Permeable Pavers      Managing runoff Permeable paving surfaces have been demonstrated as effective in managing runoff from paved surfaces.  Large volumes of urban runoff causes serious errosion and siltation in nearby streams and waterways. Controlling pollutants Permeable paving surfaces keep the pollutants in place in the soil or other material underlying the pavers, and allow water seepage to groundwater while preventing the stream erosion problems. They capture the heavy metals that fall on them, preventing them from washing downstream and accumulating inadvertently in the environment. In the void spaces, naturally occurring micro-organisms digest car oils, leaving little but carbon dioxide water. Rainwater infiltration is usually less than that of an impervious pavement with a separate stormwater management facility somewhere downstream. Trees Permeable pavements may give urban trees the rooting space they need to grow to full size. A "structural-soil" pavement base combines structural aggregate with soil; a porous surface admits vital air and water to the rooting zone. This integrates healthy ecology and thriving cities, with the living tree canopy above, the city's traffic on the ground, and living tree roots below.

Stone Furniture by Fieldstone Center

My Rockslinger is born!

Our newest addition to the Fieldstone Center team arrived on Monday, July 23, 2012.  Myers Henderson is ready to get his hands dirty.  I am now the proud father to my first child, a beautiful baby boy.  Every morning he stares out the window hoping to get a ride in daddy's truck.  For now, I think I will restrain from dipping his brand new monogrammed onesie into the pluff mud and let mom wine and dine him for awhile.  I am better at changing diapers anyway.  I will continue to post updates on my blog, because this kid is just to cute for words and his mom and I are so happy to have him in our lives.

Congratulations Tyler A Smyth, Architect LLC on winning 4 tickets to the 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, SC

Weekend Warriors

I usually jump at the chance to assist friends in weekend warrior projects, but this one was different. The project wasn't any more difficult but it was "HOT." The heat this time of the year makes most weekend projects take multiple weekends. Busy schedules didn't not allow for this so we put in two solid 12 hour days to finish up a beautiful bluestone patio.

Our friends John and Jessica Tabb have been staring at an ugly concrete pad for years and as a 8 year anniversary gift decided that it was time to spruce up the backyard. They stopped by our showroom and looked through countless materials like travertine, slate and coral stone. They decided on a traditional full color squared bluestone patio. Take a look below to see the before and after.

Luckily they already had a concrete pad, so the installation was slightly easier. 

I started in the corner and made sure the existing patio and house are square

As I worked my way out I laid stone to the right and left to ensure that water will run off with the correct pitch. 

As you can see I was in full sun most of the day and it was HOT.

I usually try and lay out 6-8 stones dry ahead of time to make sure that I don't have any "+" sign's or long joints. 

It is easier to bring the mortar over in buckets so you don't have to keep dumping a wheelbarrow or getting up to trowel some more mortar.

Almost there...

Finally there was some shade at the end of the day. 

I let John and Jessica lay the last couple stones

Hopefully he doesn't quit his day job.

Jessica uses the grout bag to fill in the joints

Trying to keep your joints consistent is a very hard thing to do.  Luckily the grout covers up most of your errors.

When grouting make sure you get plenty of mortar in the joints and wait to work the joint until you can no longer put your thumb through the mortar.

The finished product.