Installing a paver patio has been on our “to-do” list all summer. The paver patio was always part of our original backyard plan, but we just hadn’t made it happen yet. We wanted to add the paver patio because of the beautiful view over the valley. Even without the paver patio I find myself lingering at the top of the yard enjoying the view.

In the picture below, you can just make out the arc shape of the future paver patio. We played around with several ideas about how to get the paver patio installed. As much as we wanted to do it ourselves, we really just don’t have the skill set or time to make it look the way we wanted. So a few months back we were talking with our neighbors about our dilemma, and they recommended a guy named Carlos who owns Pacific Pavers and Hardscapes.

It’s certainly more expensive to hire someone to do the work, but it’s also piece of mind knowing that it’s done right.  In order to save a bit of cost, we agreed to dig out the area in preparation. We had to dig approximately five inches down from the bottom of the retaining wall to make room from the gravel and sand that would serve as the base for the patio.

It was a lot more digging than I think either one of us anticipated. Thankfully we have plenty of places in our yard for the dirt to go!

Here is a before picture of the yard. You’ll notice that when this picture was taken we still had honeybees at the top of the yard. We moved the honeybees a few weeks back when we processed the honey in anticipation of the paver patio construction. We didn’t want anyone to get stung or the bees to get agitated from the vibratory plate compactor.

All summer it felt like we waited and waited, always explaining to guest that “here is where we’re putting the paver patio,” and on September 23rd, the work finally began!

The Renaissance Man took a week off from work to coincide with the paver patio construction; it was a busy week for yard improvements. I was at work all week, so The Renaissance Man did his best to take progress pictures. And everyday I eagerly awaiting leaving work so I could go home and see the progress!

Pallets of pavers…

Laying the gravel and getting everything level.

For the patio, we decided to go with a gray blend of pavers so it would both  match and contrast the existing retaining wall.

We had a difficult time deciding what sort of shape we wanted on the edge of the patio, but after much discussion we went with an arc. We have so many right angles in the backyard already that adding a new shape with some movement seemed like a good idea.

In addition to the paver patio, we also had some other areas hardscaped around the house using the same materials. Including this “gutter area” along our fence line.

We are both so happy with how the paver patio turned out, and I think it’s better than either one of us could have imagined! The color and pattern are perfect. The one thing we did realize though, is that we’re now living in a world of “gray.” Gray house, gray retaining wall, gray patio, gray shed…we’re thinking about painting the shed this coming Spring to throw in some contrast. Any ideas for a color? I’m leaning toward brick red to really make it look like a barn.

Even our cat Whiskey was excited to check out what’s been going on outside all week. In the picture below she’s hanging out at the top of the retaining wall. She loves to explore the backyard and follows me around like a shadow.

We also had Carlos prep and install grass in our backyard. He had some personal connections and was able to get us a great deal on the grass!

The grass really finishes off the backyard and we’re so happy to have everything come together so quickly.

In the dirt area at the front of the bottom of the picture below we’ll be planting a few blueberry bushes!

And now we have the perfect place to rest and relax. I just need to start hunting for outdoor patio furniture on Craig’s List! We also need to plan a backyard party before the rain sets in.