If you’ve been thinking about an outdoor space remodel and you enjoy the look of natural landscapes but worry that your landscape will look unkempt, don’t worry. Here are the three best finds at a stone supply for rustic landscape designs in York and Lancaster, PA, areas. You can have a beautifully put-together landscape that still looks both rustic and relaxed.
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Stone
Stone is the first thing you want to think about in landscape design because just like in the home, it’s the foundation. You don’t have to fill your landscape with decorative boulders or even have a single rock garden. Natural stone can be your material of choice for patios, walkways, and retaining walls.
Bluestone and sandstone are types of natural stone that have the most rustic look thanks to their distinct colors and sometimes pronounced textures. And these textures are nothing short of stunning in the low light of morning or late afternoon! Bluestone comes in a dramatic slate-gray color with incredible shading variations that may include chocolate, tan, green, purple, rust, and gray. Bluestone will give your landscape a more refined/rustic look reminiscent of old Adirondack lodges.
Sandstone is typically available in many shades of tan, reddish, and gray. It often has pronounced textures and veining, which give each stone amazing character. Sandstone is great for “country manor” homes or if you want to impart a bit of Tuscan countryside charm to your patio.
Today, you can find concrete paver alternatives to natural stone. Why choose pavers? You’ll get more color variations, so it’s easier to match your home; a wider range of finishes including non-slip; and more size options. High-end concrete pavers and natural stone are comparably priced, so ultimately the choice comes down to style preferences. While you won’t get the incredible uniqueness of natural stone in concrete, you might be able to find a color that’s exactly right for your space, without compromising.
The best tip for choosing paver colors is to take cues from the landscape. Are there any natural rock outcrops nearby? Matching your patio to the surroundings could give it a rustic look. In general, you want to avoid too much contrast: very light colors might make your patio feel more spacious, but it may stick out too much against the greenery. Mid-tone colors are typically the safest choice when going for a rustic naturalistic look.
Stepping stones are a great choice for rustic walkways. These can be set in a bed of pebbles, or laid directly on the soil and surrounded by grass, moss, or creeping ground covers such as thyme.
Walls
Stone walls also contribute to a rustic feel. Dry-stack fieldstone or flagstone, or mortared stone, or manufactured stone (concrete) wall veneers can all give you the rustic, hand-built look you want. If you love the look of dry-stack walls but want significantly more structural stability, you could recess the mortar an inch or more from the face of the stone, so that it looks dry-stacked but is actually held together with mortar.
Choose natural stone or manufactured stone veneers according to the surroundings so that your retaining wall, seat wall, raised planter, bench, or water feature blend in.
Instead of straight linear walls, you could opt for gentle curves for a more organic and relaxed look. Use smaller stones for curved applications—which could be a beautiful contrast to large format pavers!
To finish the look of your retaining walls (or seat walls or pillars) use cap stones with a smooth top and a rough-hewn face.
Outdoor Lighting
Rustic light fixtures such as sconces can be installed directly into masonry walls. You’ll get all the ambience and safety without the clutter of exposed light fixtures.
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