Patio paver decisions

[fela]

Hi all,

We are getting ready to embark on a large backyard project - new retaining walls, putting in sod, pergola, and creating 2 paver patio spaces which total about 1300 square feet in total.

We need to pick our paver materials and have narrowed it down to 2. One is a mid-tone gray with some lighter and darker areas, as well as these... orangey splotches. It’s Belgard Catalina Grana in Victorian.

The other is the same product in the Aspen color way. It’s a more sandy color, again with some darker areas thrown in but no other color introduced.

www.belgard.com/products/pavers/catalina-grana

We are having such a hard time deciding! I really like the Aspen, it looks clean and neutral (will go with any color walls, furniture, paint colors, etc). But I’m worried that such large expanses may be really bright to the eyes when in full sun, The Victorian seems “safer” in that it’s a medium tone so less bright and it’s still fairly neutral, but I really hate those random brown/orange bits.

Does anyone have opinions or advice? The great news is that literally ANYTHING will be better than we have now (our backyard is largely unusable) but I’d still like the get this big decision right ☺️

[mrsukyankee]

I put both into google images. I personally prefer the look of the Aspen in the larger spaces, even if it's light. I agree about the random orange. Not my fav.

[fela]

Mar 15, 2021 16:06:30 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

I put both into google images. I personally prefer the look of the Aspen in the larger spaces, even if it's light. I agree about the random orange. Not my fav.

Thank you! The Victorian is very popular so it must not bother most people, but to me it’s all I see lol

[fela]

Mar 15, 2021 16:51:58 GMT -5 kellady said:

I don’t mind the random orange, but if it is bothering you now, I’d be afraid you’ll hate it when it’s down.  By the time you get patio furniture on there, maybe some plants, flowers, would the expanse be broken up a bit?  What about an outdoor rug?  Not that I think you would have to “cover up” either of those choices.  

Good luck,  l hate to make decisions, but love to look at the finished pictures!

Thanks! If I can ever figure out how I will post some before and afters☺️

[deadwing]

Have you been able to see samples in person? I feel like that would help. I kind of like the Victorian, but Im not a big fan of tan. Personally, I'd pick Riviera.

[fela]

Mar 15, 2021 18:02:17 GMT -5 deadwing said:

Have you been able to see samples in person? I feel like that would help. I kind of like the Victorian, but Im not a big fan of tan. Personally, I'd pick Riviera.

Yes, we've been able to see some samples in person, though it's very hard to get a good sense of what they would look like "for real" since the sample sizes are all fairly small.  Our contractor sent us to a house to see an Aspen walkway with a Bella border, so we did get a better sense there. 


 

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[fela]

Ok I think I may have figured out how to insert photos!  If this works, here are a 2 "before" photos so you can see what we're working with.  The upper level will essentially all be pavers - there will be a large pergola and furniture (at least a dining set to start) to break things up.  The lower level will be basically 1/3 pavers on the left, closest to the house, and then grass.  The retaining walls will be rebuilt with new wood and posts, and pushed out farther into the hill.

Crossing my fingers that these work!

[sandandsea]

I also like Aspen the Victorian looks kind of cool but I think it would drive me nuts in my own yard.

[aprilsails]

I’m not an adherent to the current trend of all things grey all the time, especially when it comes to outdoor finishes where a stark grey seems pretty unnatural. So I would be ok with the orange splotches myself, but also really like the Aspen if you want a more consistent look. I think it’s a nice neutral base and will look great for years to come.