How We Built It

A fieldstone fireplace and patio, in six panels.

1 · Layout. Coffee, a tape measure, and strong opinions.

Eleven feet, four inches.

Measured twice.

Once more.

THWACK!

2 · Footing. Concrete: the one ingredient you can't un-pour.

Four feet down. Frost doesn't negotiate.

This wheelbarrow has opinions.

SPLORCH

3 · Stonework. No two fieldstones alike. All of them heavy.

A little to the left.

That's a forty-pound "little."

THUNK

4 · Chimney & hearth. Granite goes on top. It's the part everybody photographs.

Cap's coming down. Nobody stand there.

Bubble's centered. So am I.

CLINK

5 · Pavers. The last stone goes in. The cleanup crew is also the crew.

Straight lines. Always.

Do not walk on my joints.

THUD

Want something like this in your yard? Get in touch.