Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Driveway Ideas: Cobblestone & Crushed Stone

With the build of the new carriage house (happening within the next eight weeks), we'll also be installing a 300 foot driveway. It's a major project that I'm simultaneously dreading and eagerly anticipating. We'll hire out some of the work, but the majority of the labor will be done by us.  So, after vigorously researching driveway materials over the last few months, Dave and I have both settled on obsessed over the combination of cobblestone and white crushed stone. I LOVE THIS COMBINATION, and I can't be swayed.  I think it could be the perfect look for our 1890s home.

While researching this subject, I've officially become the neighborhood stalker.  It's only a matter of time before someone calls the police on me (I swear).  Here are some driveway photos I've snapped and shared on Instagram this week...


cobblestone apron + crushed stone = total driveway perfection



another lovely cobblestone apron (this time, stretching into asphalt)



white crushed stone

round cobbles with white crushed stone beyond


And, then I found even more inspiring images on Pinterest, to really seal the deal. 

I like the pattern of the cobblestones, where it meets the crushed stone.  Very interesting.


loving this cobblestone edging.  I wonder if we can do this?


pretty cobbles, up close.


white crushed stone.

Gwyneth Paltrow's Los Angeles house with a stunning crushed stone driveway.


more cobbles...


love this sweeping drive, trimmed in stone.



What do you think?  Do you like it?


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12 comments:

  1. LOVE IT. I too am obsessed with crushed stone. Perfect choice. Loving the first stalker-shot the best. ;)

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  2. I think it's absolutely beautiful, but I would not want to shovel it in the winter! Having lived in a house with a gravel drive I wouldn't install one.

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  3. I LOVE (LOVE LOVE) the look but have always worried that it gets destroyed the first time you have to shovel/snowblow/plow it!

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  4. I love this look, too! I live in upstate NY though and our winters are brutal, so I'm not sure how it would hold up...how are your winters?

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  5. Thanks for the comments!!

    Both Dave and I have experience using gravel driveways, and they aren't a problem with the Philadelphia snowfall. The few times a year that it snows, we use a snow blower. Set it one inch above the ground level, and you're good to go. It doesn't disrupt the gravel too much.

    xx
    Kelly

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  6. Just a thought..... IF there are ever young ones around, it's difficult to ride bikes or play ball!!! I grew up in a sort of similar setting and it was a problem at times!
    Then again, the look is gorgeous!

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  7. Love the crushed stone. It will be absolutely perfect with the 1890's home and the new carriage house.

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  8. I vote for the first option, I love the mix...

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  9. over here for the first time from my notting hill, love your blog and this topic.
    GO for it!
    i lost the battle with my husband, my wanting crushed gravel with cobbles. just love the crunching sound as you walk or drive over the stones

    so, one day hubby comes home and a huge swath of the gardens became pea gravel (i am a landscape designer with a crew). he hates how he has to slow down to walk through it to get to his outbuilding, but the grumbles have stopped as time goes by!
    debra
    (your newest subscriber)

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  10. Hi Kelly

    I would be happy if you post a credit to our photograph # 6 (the one with the granite edging which you admired) from our landscaping portfolio. The project was completed in 2009 in Greystones, Co Wicklow, Ireland. I would be delighted to offer you any advice on deciding on design criteria or installation.

    Best Regards

    Owen Chubb
    www.owenchubblandscapers.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Kelly

    I would be happy if you post a credit to our photograph # 6 (the one with the granite edging which you admired) from our landscaping portfolio. The project was completed in 2009 in Greystones, Co Wicklow, Ireland. I would be delighted to offer you any advice on deciding on design criteria or installation.

    Best Regards

    Owen Chubb
    www.owenchubblandscapers.com

    ReplyDelete