Vernon and Lisa Decossas had a decision to make: How to give their house more curb appeal. The couple had already added a 1400-sq-ft expansion, which included a new roof, so their West Chase house itself was beautiful. It was the front yard and driveway that needed a bolster in landscape design, especially since their corner lot offered an exposed view of their property.
The driveway was a dull cement and the front walkway was red pavers. In other words, the front landscape needed cohesive TLC to make it attractive. “We had finally decided to put pavers on the driveway. We found Paramount Stoneworks in a magazine and called (owner) Ben Rossett,” explains Lisa. As with most projects, this grew from a new driveway to a revamped walkway and back patio/pool surround.
For the front elevation, Lisa says that, “Originally we just had a patch of grass. Ben suggested we build up that space and put in a flowerbed or some kind of design with the pavers.”
The couple also decided to tear up the tile around their pool and replace it with the same granite pavers that were being used on front project. “My husband wanted everything to match, so it made sense to do both areas at the same time,” says Lisa. “We looked at photos and decided on the granite pavers. It is more durable than the tile we had and is mold and mildew resistant.” They chose Paramount’s Summer Blend pavers with a chiseled edge for the main areas, and the Winter Blend pavers for the edges (see sidebar for more information about the granite pavers).
Lisa points out that if they kept the tile they had, it would have to be resealed often and would eventually wear out and lose pigmentation. With the new granite pavers, they will retain their color and pattern—a definite plus! An even better advantage is that water beads up on the granite pavers, but they are not slippery at all, which is a benefit when getting out of the covered pool.
The couple had put in an outdoor kitchen three years ago and had a dark red tile with black and blue overtones that Lisa loved. After she saw her patio furniture on the new granite pavers, she was sold on the decision to replace. “I was missing my other tile, but now our red furniture cushions just pop and look beautiful.” In fact, she laughs that their cars even look more beautiful on the new driveway!
“My husband is a CPA, but he really has an eye for landscape design and color. We really love the new pavers and feel like the house finally looks finished,” concludes Lisa.