Thursday, August 30, 2012

Driveway Update: Cobblestone Apron (Progress)

Last Friday, Dave & I took the day off and got to work laying our cobblestone driveway.  The fact that we are delusional enough to do this project ourselves just shows you how crazy we actually are (and let me tell you, we're nuts).  This D.I.Y. ain't for the faint of heart.  It's really hard work.  We've prepped for this project over the last eight weeks-- excavating, laying down gravel, and building our retaining walls.  We've also spent a great deal of time sorting these reclaimed cobblestones by size.  Why sort them by size?  Well, every single jumbo block is a different size (they were salvaged from an old Philadelphia street).  The irregular sizes will give the finished look even more vintage charm, and we like that.  But, if you want the rows to line up and create a smooth installation, you need to sort them.  We had groups of block measuring 6" wide, 6.5" wide, 7" wide, 7.5" wide, and so on...  The length doesn't matter.  Just as long as we could control the width of each row, we were happy. 
 
So far, we've finished about eleven feet of our cobblestone apron.  Three days of work, and eleven feet of cobblestone.  It's slow going, but the finished product is BEAUTIFUL and we're so proud of ourselves.  Here's what we've done over the last week...
 
 
Friday, August 24th -
 
 
 sorted cobblestones, ready to go.
Spirits are high and we're ready to begin work.  I've promised to be a good assistant and let Dave run the show (can't have two bosses on this project... and I tend to be very bossy.  So, on this project, Dave is the manager and I am the helper).  We're hoping for a productive day.  :)


the first row is complete.
We decided to run one decorative row of vertical blocks, then the rest of the driveway would be done in a running bond pattern.
 

progress
 

more progress
 

Dave, following the string lines and making everything level.


end of the day-- six feet of the driveway, done.
 
 
 
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Sunday, August 26th -
 
No photos of this work day.  We worked a half day and installed three more rows. 
 
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Wednesday, August 29th -
 
Dave installed about fifteen feet of our raised edge. 
This simple trimming has turned into our favorite detail.
 
 
 
I busted out a new pair of Tuff Chix...
 

And, we continued to lay ten more rows of cobblestone...
 
 

 
at the end of the day, we were left with this!
We've completed 11 feet of the cobblestone apron.  Only about 19 more feet to go.


close up of the cobblestone block and the retaining wall (made of Pennsylvania fieldstone), just after we hosed everything down.
 
 
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We'll be making more progress over the next week.  I think we have about 2-3 days of hard work ahead of us, and then the apron will be complete.  God, I look forward to that.
 
 
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7 comments:

  1. Oh. My. God. Kuddos to you- that is a TON of work!! It's going to look stunning when you are done!

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  2. Wow, Kelly. It's looking beautiful! I can't wait to see the final results of all your hard work. Just think of the satisfaction that awaits!!

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  3. This will look amazing! Looking forward to seeing all your progress. Have been longing to do this in my own house for the last three years but the garden/drive will have to wait til hubby finishes university:( I admire your ambition and determination to take on such a huge task yourself. Good luck with the rest of it!

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  4. You guys are amazing! I'm loving watching the progress on your home!

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  5. Wow! Looks great, I know how heavy those cobblestones are, you guys are getting a good night's sleep at the end of the day, love to watch the progress, thanks! From one PA historic home owner to an other.

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  6. Wow! Looks great, I know how heavy those cobblestones are, you guys are getting a good night's sleep at the end of the day, love to watch the progress, thanks! From one PA historic home owner to an other.

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  7. Love it! All your hard work is paying off. It really looks beautiful.

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