Monday

Stone-Look Concrete Walkway

Stone Look Concrete Walkway, Bliss-Ranch.com
We have lived at our home for 20 years.  We built it ourselves and being young and agile at the time, we never thought much about maintenance down the road.

Stuff wears out.  Like our young agile bodies.  But the house still needs to be kept up.  As we update I'm going for maintenance free so I don't have to paint every other year as my body gets older and older and less agile.

The weather takes a toll on cedar decks and walkways and it was time to paint for a quick fix (like the year before that and the year before that) or rip the small walkway out and do better.

Stone Look Concrete Walkway, Bliss-Ranch.com
We ripped it out and did better.

Pretend you see a whole wood walkway still there.  Brawn is not on the same schedule as me and my camera, so when he wants to start on a project, he does.

If you have been reading Bliss Ranch for a while you know my least favorite thing to do is paint.  I don't like painting outdoors anymore than indoors.  But as you can see, the cedar color of the post on the left was in need, as was touch up on the spindles and white gate to the right.

Stone Look Concrete Walkway, Bliss-Ranch.com

They were especially going to need to be painted after Brawn finished the concrete walkway he was making to match the landscaping stones.  Who could have peeling paint next to something new and looking good?

No that is not my hairy leg.

Every bag of concrete is approximately one faux stones worth, and each bag is approximately $2.00 on sale.  We used quick set concrete.  No mold was used, just a man and his trowel to shape and form the way he wanted.

There is approximately $40.00 worth of walkway now in my yard.  Much cheaper than a poured walk.

Stone Look Concrete Walkway, Bliss-Ranch.com

This is his work station.

He used empty sheet rock buckets, a drill with a mixing attachment, the broom part was just laying there and so was a jug of something that likely was on it's way to the trash.

Stone Look Concrete Walkway, Bliss-Ranch.com

He mixed, poured, troweled, and cut in the edges to prevent the stones from cracking in the winter.  He had no rhyme to what he was doing, and said he was making it up as he went.

Stone Look Concrete Walkway, Bliss-Ranch.com

When he was done, clouds moved in to rain on his new concrete.  He covered it with some plastic which bunched up and stuck to the wet concrete.  But this was not an OH NO, it was an OH YES

The bunched up plastic gave the new concrete a textured look, like stone would have.

Stone Look Concrete Walkway, Bliss-Ranch.com

Brawn put rocks from the surrounding landscape on each faux stone and used concrete stain to color it and mimic those real rocks.  He has four colors of concrete stain.

If you look you can see the rocks on each stone - he did a pretty good job copying the colors - they are hard to see.

Stone Look Concrete Walkway, Bliss-Ranch.com

After the stain has dried, a wet look concrete lacquer goes on.

I will have more on the staining process in a future post with walkway #2.

Stone Look Concrete Walkway, Bliss-Ranch.com

The lacquer dries fast, and when it's dry you can start painting the posts and railing.  

Unless you are me, then you wait a week because you hate painting and then pick the hottest day you can to start.

Stone Look Concrete Walkway, Bliss-Ranch.com

You do the whole gate and then only do one part of the rail and spindles because you are going to melt painting them when it's 99* out.

Stone Look Concrete Walkway, Bliss-Ranch.com

You also debate on putting long shots of the walkway up because you don't want to show where you stopped painting the railing (and secretly think you may never come back to painting it). 

Stone Look Concrete Walkway, Bliss-Ranch.com

Look at the nice freshly painted white post and spindles, next to those fine looking concrete stones.

No those are not my feet but they are not Brawns either, and those ones are not hairy.

Stone Look Concrete Walkway, Bliss-Ranch.com

I have repeatedly told Brawn how much I love how it turned out.  Bonus on the maintenance thing, the walkway will never have to be painted like the cedar did.

And if I am lucky I won't be the one to repaint the spindles and rail.

That is if I ever finish those in the first place.

Stone Look Concrete Walkway, Bliss-Ranch.com

Mo is on the left side sticking his doggy face in the picture because that spot is one of his favorite places to lay outside now - the concrete is shaded there and stays nice and cool.  Sure wish he knew how to paint and I'd lay in the shade and watch him, then that part of the rail above on the left would also be bright white.

Stone Look Concrete Walkway, Bliss-Ranch.com
Coming soon the playhouse/potting shed/Brawn's work supply shed/ gets a makeover with walkway #2.

Stone Walkway Featured at:
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47 comments :

  1. Wow, that man's a star, mad skills with tools and a paint brush.
    Doesn't Brawn mind the heat too, or is refusing you just a step too far !!
    Loving the wide shots Mrs. B x

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  2. Wow...
    Awesome Idea...
    Looks great!
    (Plotting where I can use the same idea in my yard...)
    (=

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    1. Thanks Jen, you could so do this - it's a mix and dump type thing, be creative.

      Did you know that you are a no reply blogger? Here is a simple tutorial on how to fix that, then when you leave comments folks can respond right via email to you. http://www.turnstylevogue.com/2012/02/replying-to-comments/

      Bliss

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  3. Wow...that looks fantastic.
    I can't believe there are no concrete forms in the way of 2 x 4's or anything like that...he just dug that out and poured... amazing.
    I like the coloring he added to the concrete too. Nice job.
    ~Corn

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  4. Oh Bliss that is just awesome!! I love it. We are doing something very similar in our back to come from the patio to the driveway. By the way... guess who got the stone for the front flower beds...yup I won :)

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  5. can he come do mine next? I love the stamped look but we just couldnt pay for it with everything else with the house....maybe we need to fake it!

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  6. That looks fabulous! Too much work for my taste though, I'd rather wrestle with 60 lb 24x30 concrete sidewalk slabs than drag home bags of cement mix and sand and then mix it and pour it and level it and paint it and stain it... holy woman, what a job!!!

    Thanks for all the feet commentary, I was beginning to wonder. LOL

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  7. This will be awesome! You are so talented.

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  8. WOW! it looks amazing!!! you rock! pun intended.

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  9. It looks great Bliss.. now go get one of those 15 kids to help you paint the fence!
    Great job Brawn and Bliss!
    Susan

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  10. I love it! Brawn does great work and I know you'll get that painting done soon! It looks fabulous!

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  11. Love this walkway !
    The finish is clean and crisp.
    Who doesn't like no maintenance. ;)
    Rose

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  12. Great job! Concrete makes such an attractive walkway and it seems fairly easy to do! Did the ground have to be completely level or is it a bit forgiving? We don't have a level spot in our whole yard! Still, I'd like to give it a go. Thanks for sharing! Hugs. Leena

































































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  13. Way to go Brawn! That looks fabulous...now grab that brush and finish painting Bliss!

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  14. Fabuloso!! How come Brawn doesn't melt in the heat working concrete, but you do.You must be so much more delicate. Tell Brawn he did a fabulous job!

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  15. I'm all for no maintenance, especially when it looks as good as this! That was a lot of work but will be worth it when you aren't staining wood next year.

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  16. Whoah! That came out really nice! I saw some concrete workers do a trick once that I thought was neat, they sprinkled salt (like for water softeners, big rock salt) all over the top and pushed it in. Then once it was dry you could dissolve the salt out either from the rain or hot water. Makes a neat texture!

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  17. Looks great! We did that at a previous house..watch out, it gets slick when it's wet and you will bust your butt like we all did. Have you ever used Trex for building? It will never wear out or splinter. We built a deck with it and it was wonderful. That was in the late 90's and it was really expensive, but I bet the price has come down. The benefit is you have NO maintenance...ever.

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  18. I have always, always wanted to do one of these stone walkways. This turned out fabulous. I'm inspired. If I ever get a house rather than townhouse, than I'm down for one of these walkways for sure! How cool that Brawn matched up the stain color to random rocks and nice going on the plastic bag trick!

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  19. LOVE how that turned out! And your hairy leg is beautiful. It'll clean right up with a quick shave. :)

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  20. It looks amazing!! Great Job!!!

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  21. It looks amazing!! Great Job!!!

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  22. I love your walkway! It looks so good. My husband and I want to give this a try in our own yard. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  23. oh my gosh, that looks amazing, especially when you colored it in. so natural looking!

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  24. Your walkway looks amazing! You are SUCH a good supervisor ;-)

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  25. It looks amazing Bliss - I love it - thank God for rain right???
    XOXO

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  26. Wow that is awesome and I love the rain/plastic texture look that you got! You two are a great team!!

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  27. This fabulous! I love the look and the color you used.
    Great job, team!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  28. That is AMAZEBALLS! That really sums it up...WOW!

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  29. I love any post that has a glimpse of Mo. 10 years in the same house...I am impressed. There must be so many happy memories in your welcoming home. The $40 walkway looks great. I can't wait to see the playhouse/potting shed.

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  30. That turned out great! I love how he made plain concrete look like real stepping stones. Can I borrow your husband to do some projects around my house? Yours really knows what he's doing.

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  31. This is such a wonderful project! We have an area that needs something like this...pinning! Great hometalk feature, too!

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  32. Amazing work! I can't believe how well he matched the stone colors. I wish the guy who repaired our brick chimney had matched the original concrete color. Brawn could give him a few lessons!

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  33. So smart! And cost effective to boot!

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  34. My husband would like to know more about the concrete stain. Did it go on before or after it the concrete was set and dry? Is it a wet stain or a powder you use before the concrete is dry? I think this is so cool and I am trying to talk my hubby into doing some for me! He says your hubby has some real talent - that looks great!

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  35. That Brawn is so talented! I love that he just winged it and it turned out amazing! Now get that paint brush Huck Finn and paint that fence!!!

    :) Linda

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  36. Really a great job on that walk.

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  37. Your post is one of my top 3 favorites and I'm featuring you tonight on our Home{work} Wednesday link party and on my fb page. Have a great day!

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  38. Great job Mr Braun! Love the stain matched to the rocks. Hope it lasts a long time!

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  39. As great a project as this is, I loved your writing about it even more...so clever!! Congrats for this being featured over at "Savvy Southern Style" blog party!

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  40. Brawn did a great job Bliis. Love how it turned out! I hear ya about the body not quite as young as agile as before. We have a rock wall that runs clear along the back of our yard. Being too lazy to walk clear around I find myself climbing up and down quite often. Not such an easy task. I told hubby that I think we need to pull some out in a couple places and make me a few stair ways. Thanks for sharing with SYC. Can't wait to see the next path!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  41. Stopping by to let you know I will be featuring your walkway tomorrow on Made in a Day! Thanks so much for linking up!
    Kim

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  42. LOVE, love, love it I say! I have a step to my porch that is in need of repair, heck--the whole porch looks like crap! I need a brawn. :)

    it's on my to do list..in the very near future. Maybe he could give me some tips!

    catching you!
    gail

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  44. Anonymous4/12/2014

    Great walkway! Especially good part is that weeds won't grow between the 'pavers.'
    Genius!!!!!
    It's nice to know I'm not the only 'lazy' woman. I am putting off going up on the roof to replace the gutter covers the MEN installed wrong……and charged me for…….At what age do we get to actually be lay-abouts and watch others work and re-work???? ….still waiting for that age to arrive …….. LOL

    Painting is not so bad for me, if it's furniture…..if not, maybe it will get done and maybe not…mostly not….welcome to my world!!!!!

    Brawn is a keeper for sure…and, too, those adorable grands….they are so lucky to have you both in their worlds……..

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  45. Beautiful! I need a walkway just like this from my house to my shop. Do you know what brand concrete stain was used and where it was purchased? Thanks!

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    1. The stain used on the walkways is a liquid stain, not a powder like we have used on other cement around here. The brand is Colorfast and we bought this right at the lumber yard.

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