Having lived in the Midwest for most of my life, I've always had a different view of outdoor decorations and furniture than most people. There's rain, wind, elements — it's not a sunny California hide away that seems unscathed by nature. The idea of putting a rug outside hasn't really crossed my mind for more than a few seconds. But what if I made one from something more durable instead?
We discovered these at Fine Gardening, where they have a quick tutorial on making your own rock pathway. Although using small rocks and pebbles to create stepping stones and a nice walkway in your garden is appealing, what really caught my attention was the rug. That beautiful Persian-esque rug.
It would be the rug you'd never have to vacuum. It would be the rug that could get wet, take the ice and snow, and always receive compliments from your friends! Sure you'd be married to the idea once installed and it might limit furniture placement, but in many backyard spaces there aren't too many options for that anyway. It's a solid idea that looks fantastic and could work with modern and traditional furnishings alike.
Do you like the idea, or does it seem like too much work for you? Is it worth the hours you'd spend placing small rocks in a cute design, or is it work best left to the professionals? Let us know in the comments below!
More Info: Fine Gardening
(Images: Fine Gardening)
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I live in Missouri, and I can relate to not giving an outdoor rug more than a passing thought. Stonework would be far more practical!! The first picture is by far my favorite, and I don't think it would take very long to settle on a little design. I have a sizable yard, but it wouldn't be a huge commitment space-wise to work something like the stepping stones into one of my smaller gardening areas.
Wouldn't it heave in the first good freeze?
Beautiful but it would only last a year or two?
These remind me of stonework at Minster Lovell castle in England. What used to be the base of the stables is now exposed to the elements and it is amazing stone patterns in this manner. There has been no shifting and they have survived the centuries.
These are inspired and unexpected--love them! I'll be planning my own this evening :-)
Love. It.
Maybe this could be incorporated into the Florida-friendly garden we plan to do when the interminable house projects are done?
Lovely! Could definitely work with the moisture issues of south Louisiana (humidity, thunderstorms that drop two inches of rain in two hours, etc).
Looks like tons of work, even for a fairly small project, but really gorgeous! If I could just find suitable stones...!
I love the look of rock rugs but would leave it to those in the know. I bet it's painstaking work on your knees and back.
If you ever visit Portland, check out Lan Su, the classical Chinese garden. You'll see beautifully crafted rock rugs. I'd imagine they aren't the most comfortable to walk on and weeding would be very tedious.
@RECYCLEG, I looks like, and I assume, these rocks are laid in a cement foundation so you weed around the rug, not between the individual stones.
ok this is a GREAT post, and I LOVE the idea. I am totally going to do a stone rug by the outdoor fireplace/oven we're building
Since I love this look but only have a balcony, I'm thinking a shallow wooden box with a low lip, a design of smaller rocks and sand (maybe grout?) might be the next best thing!
I saw this in Fine Gardening and thought it beautiful too.
i would love to do this & the time wouldn't bother me a bit, BUT i doubt my landlord wants me laying mortor
These are super cool! Have to admire people with the patience and creativity to make something like this!
But, hey, they don't literally rock... unless they're maybe on a boat or in an earthquake
When people misuse literally, even just to make a pun, I, like, literally die inside
like it! seems like it would work in the VA clay/mud. thx for the inspiration. m
Absolutely beautiful. But having rocks majorly misplaced that are merely dumped in a contained place, I can't imagine the beautiful design remaining intact very long, and I would be sooooooooooooo upset if all that effort were ruined. I'd be interested in a follow-up report on your success after a full year's weather cycles.
I think I'll make one using concrete pavers - cementing the stones to the 12" square paver and grouting them into place like mosiac tiles then build the rug with the pavers so there would be large 12" squares rather than hundreds of small loose stones to manipulate in case I wanted to move it or the freeze/thaw pushes things out of place.
I can speak from experience as I am lucky enough to have had Jeffrey Bale create a 10' pathway in my yard 12 years ago this month. It has held up superbly through 5 degree ice & snow to 110 degree unsheltered heat. A handful of rocks have chipped or popped out, but I would be hard pressed to tell you where they are at without an inspection. People stop every summer to ask about this beautiful work of art I have. A bonus...Jeffrey also created a concrete and stone fountain and round concrete pavers! I raise a glass to Jeff every year to celebrate...I am a very lucky girl indeed!
hhmmm...interesting. I just did this same post last week as I am actually creating one of these rugs in my back yard. I am about 25% complete. http://shannonberrey.com/_blog/Shannon_Berrey_Design_Blog/post/River_rock_rug_ideas/