Durham, NC · 2024
The Waverly Patio
Checkered stone patio with formal garden feel
The Story
The Waverly homeowners wanted a patio that felt like a European courtyard — structured, elegant, and timeless. We designed a checkered bluestone-and-limestone pattern that transforms their plain backyard into a formal outdoor living room.
The Challenge
The existing yard had poor drainage and an uneven grade that pooled water near the foundation. Any patio design had to solve the drainage problem first.
Our Solution
We installed a French drain system beneath the patio base, regraded the yard to direct water away from the house, and used a permeable joint system between the checkered stones for additional drainage.
4 weeks
Build Time
24×32 ft
Patio Size
Stone Patio + Drainage
Features
768 sq ft
Total Area
Construction Timeline
From ground to glory.
Site Assessment
A bare backyard with patchy grass and visible drainage issues near the foundation. The homeowners envisioned something far more refined.
Excavation & Grading
Removed the topsoil layer and regraded the entire area to slope away from the house. Installed French drains along the foundation wall.
Base Preparation
Six inches of compacted crusher run base, leveled with laser precision. The checkered pattern demands a perfectly flat foundation.
Stone Setting
Alternating bluestone and limestone pavers laid in a precise checkered pattern on a screeded sand bed. Each stone hand-placed and leveled.
Jointing & Edging
Polymeric sand swept into the joints and activated with water. Aluminum edge restraints installed around the perimeter for long-term stability.
Furniture & Landscaping
Elegant outdoor furniture staged on the patio, boxwood hedges planted along the borders, and string lights installed overhead.
Final Reveal
The checkered stone patio glows under string lights at dusk — a European courtyard in the heart of Durham.
The Transformation
Before & After
BeforeAfter
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