Have you ever noticed that the last mode of creating outdoor spaces was a segregated point of view? The pool and surrounding pavement was not part of patio designs but a separate entity. Backyard landscape design used to put every little function and use into its own little space. Like we don’t get enough of the cubicle treatment at work! Maybe it is the innovation and creativity that paving stones have brought to our landscape as a design tool. Perhaps it is more about tossing out black and white separation and a melding of the wonders of nature into our daily lives.

Whatever brought about the alteration, pavers for pool decks open the doors to fabulous outdoor living designed spaces. More versatile and easier to maintain than any other form of pavement material, paving stones are also a lot classier in appearance. That inherent beauty is an inspiration in itself and seems to draw out the creative and imaginative use of space in relation to plants and our lifestyles. Today’s pool deck can be any destination your heart desires and take shape right outside your backdoor.

The close resemblance to natural stone that paving stones impart make them the perfect partner to natural stone retaining walls and other backyard living room attributes such as waterfalls and boulders. Working closely with an artistically talented pool deck designer is the best way to create the most stunning outdoor living patio and pool deck combination built around the foundation of pavers. A sumptuous scene that could be found at a favorite resort that you can immerse yourself in every day is a wonderful way to enhance your life and the value of your home.

Because pavers lend themselves so easily to the creation of curvilinear design, the pool deck can follow the outline of the pool with such an exciting effect. No other form of pavement created with small pieces allows such imaginative pattern to be easily designed and installed. Destination getaway has never before been so easy to create on residential properties. Nor has outdoor living had so much to offer as it does with the latest technology in water features and paving stones.

Now pool decks can be made in so many colors and styles, you will find it hard to decide which paving stones design you want around your pool. This is where your paving stones designer can be a huge source of help. Pavers for pool deck are going to be permanent, so picking a pattern and colors it is important to get a look that is timeless yet beautiful. You’ll have a harder time when it comes to selecting the pool deck furniture and patio set.

Here you will have hundreds more options than with pavers for your outdoor living area. These pieces are far easier to change and give a fresh look to with new cushions and accessories. The same can be said of your container gardens and annual flowers or perennials planted in the gardens throughout your new backyard resort. Without the paving stones though, none of this would turn out anywhere near as fabulous and visually rewarding.

Driveways are a bit like women. The younger they are, the better they look.

However, the beauty secrets for keeping a woman looking ageless have come a lot farther than erasing time and stress from your driveway. Poured concrete driveways that are given a fresh face with a painted on finish are about as long lasting as pancake makeup. These are temporary measures that require repetitive reapplication and touch ups to remain looking halfway decent. The best beauty secret for driveways in Los Angeles is interlocking pavers. No pancake makeup necessary … EVER.

Wrinkle creams are really popular for women and even men of all ages. Most of them are completely useless and a major waste of money. They don’t get rid of the wrinkles that aging produces, but do, while present on your skin, fill the wrinkles and deflect light so they are less noticeable. Repairing cracks in your driveway does look better than leaving the ugly fissures in the concrete slab surface, but they are still unsightly and NEVER blend in with the rest of the surface. Interlocking pavers flex with the earth and don’t need any cracks or wrinkles repaired … EVER.

Asphalt driveways can be resurfaced much easier and more permanently than poured concrete. This is something like having a chemical peel in reverse to remain looking youthful due to a complete lack of dead skin cells on aged skin. Both processes must be repeated every so often to keep up appearances. Every time resurfacing is needed, the cost of maintaining good looking face value becomes more cost intensive. Interlocking pavers don’t need resurfacing and can remain as beautiful as they were the day they were installed … for up to 100 years!

Cheap makeup is very damaging to a woman’s skin and can increase the development of aging along with creating acne by blocking the pores. Cheap pavers never give your driveway the long lasting always youthful beauty that quality paving stones will. Clay pavers are not going to hold up to the stress and wear of time and the earth’s movement. They chip easily, crack readily and cannot be resurfaced to correct the problem. Interlocking pavers are four times stronger than concrete slab driveways. Driveway pavers don’t chip, the surface will never erode away and when properly installed they don’t need replacing … EVER.

Poured concrete driveways lack any form of character and are about as lacking in the ability of expression as is found following a Botox treatment. Rigid and inflexible. The same can be said about mortared brick pavement surfaces. There is no mortar used with interlocking pavers, which allows them to move and remain in place whenever the soil reacts to flexing planetary muscles. The swell and fall of expansive California soils, as well as the tremors from earthquakes never leave your driveway looking worse or under stress. At least not when you have a paving stones driveway, they remain beautiful and timeless for decades on end.

Another week gone already? Our apologies on not getting this week’s paver stones grill recipe posted on Wednesday, somehow the days got away without noticing they were gone. If your week has been half as busy as ours, you’re probably ready to spend some time just lolling about doing nothing important at all. There is no better place for relaxing and gathering peace of mind that your paving stones patio. Kicking back next to that roaring fire in the outdoor fireplace is one of our favorite spots, despite the chilly weather. Warmth from the fire makes rejuvenating quickly great with the music of the new waterfalls nearby.

Now what are you going to do about dinner?

Something delicious, but quick and simple to prepare and whip on the grill is most tempting. After a week that whizzed past so fast, Wednesday up and disappeared, no one is in the mood for cooking a 5 course meal. This is it! The perfect gourmet treat to toss on the paver stones grill and everyone from the kids on up is definitely going to thoroughly enjoy. Plan on grilling and that fire on the paving stones patio for Sunday, this weekend it’s going to rain Saturday.

Easy and taste balanced sides with this delightful entrée will lean toward accenting the oriental kick of perfectly seasoned meat and fruit skewers. Plan on serving steamed or stir-fried rice and generous helpings of fresh broccoli or asparagus all around. It’s going to be a bit chilly for dining on the paving stone patio by late afternoon, just grill it up and retire indoors to enjoy this fast and easy meal.

Mango Tango Chicken Kabobs ala Stone Patio Grill
Serves 4.

Meat
4 Chicken breasts (boneless)
6 bamboo skewers

Marinade Ingredients
1/3 cup Sesame oil
1/2 cup Honey
1/4 cup Dark molasses
1/4 cup Dry sherry
1 cup Soy sauce
1/4 cup Dark brown sugar
2-3 cloves Fresh garlic
2 teaspoon Fresh ginger root

Grilling Ingredients
1 Ripe Mango
1 cup Fresh Pineapple
2 tablespoons Sesame seeds
1/4 cup Hoisin sauce
Salt
Pepper

• Rinse your chicken breasts and cut into 2 inches cubes. Chop up the garlic and ginger for the marinade, then mix it with the rest of the marinade ingredients well. Pour half of the marinade off into a small sauce pan to reserve it for keeping your chicken moist while it’s on the paver stones grill.
• Add your cubed chicken to the marinade left in the bowl, cover with saran wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours. You might want to stir the meat a couple of times during this important flavoring/tenderizing phase to ensure all the meat is well coated with the delicious mixture.
• Be sure to soak your bamboo skewers in cold water for at least 30 minutes before you’re ready to cook. Dry wooden skewers will quickly burst into flames on your paver stones grill. Not a real desirable event!
• To thicken your grill basting sauce, place the saucepan on the stove and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer to finish the thickening process. Set your grill ready basting sauce aside.
• Peel the fresh pineapple and the mango. Cut into cubes and set aside til ready to put together grilling skewers..
• Preheat the paver stones grill to medium-high and coat the grill rack lightly with oil to keep your Stone Patio Gourmet masterpiece entrée from sticking to the rack.
• You’re ready to build the kabobs. Thread marinated chicken cubes alternated with the pineapple and mango chunks onto your skewers. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
• Reduce the paver stones grill heat to medium-low and get the loaded skewers onto the grill rack. Close the lid for cooking. Every 3-4 minutes baste the top and sides after turning them.
• It will only take 15 minutes to completely cook these delicious morsels on the flames of the paving stones patio grill. Pull them off the grill onto you serving platter and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
• The rest of your basting sauce can quickly be warmed in the microwave and served with the rest of your Stone Patio Gourmet meal.