apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Wow! How cool is that?! Have you considered using a low growing moss to fill those cracks? I like the stones - even that one with the crack - has character!

I like the stone - I would fill the cracks in with creeping thyme, so when you walk, everything smells lovely!

I was going to suggest moss, too! My mother has filled bigger cracks in her patio with low growing herbs (a variety of thyme, I think ... ) which looks pretty.

Love your idea. go with your instincts.

The stones look nice and smooth so you probably don't have to worry about sealing them.

I'm with oceandreamer, a moss or any other low, creeping foliage would be really nice. There are a lot of different ones to choose from.

It looks like you have some dead space in between the pavers and the fence too. That could even be framed off and filled with dirt or some nice landscaping stone. Or you could do a combination of both like Joel and Maria did in their fantastic Miami townhouse: http://www.pirelabladedesign.com/blog.f/blog_pics.f/DSC00734.JPG

moss or herbs, like an English Garden!

Moss between the cracks. Looks so classic and modern.

Or maybe chamomile, which smells lovely and feels good when you step on it.

I once saw a clip on tv about a traditional house being built in france. They used some moss to fill cracks between planks on the outside. To do this, they took some moss and soaked it in a solution of water and yogurt. I guess the moss likes yogurt, because it's suppposed to help it grow. Now if you're in NYC, I'm not sure where you'll be able to find some starter moss... maybe an old church?

I have to get on the bandwagon and vote for the moss or creeping thyme options!

I wouldn't apply anything else over the stone. Chamomile, thyme or Irish moss--whatever would be best in your climate--would look great and smell nice.

There are resins you can apply to stone that bring out the colors a bit more.

You might also consider staining the fence a color (or just a nice brown or gray) to freshen up the scheme.

I was going to suggest plantings between the cracks, too, but so many others have apparently beat me to it.

Just be careful the moss doesn't take everything over!

If you'd like, you can have the moss from my back yard, trust me when I say: It's very hearty! :)

I've grown Camomile between slabs and although it looks great when the weather is mild or warm it looks scrappy in winter and high summer. I'd go with mother-of-thyme, it's a really low growing creeping thyme with lovely tiny glossy leaves and looks great all year round.

Here is a great moss resource:

http://www.mossacres.com/default.asp

I agree with planting instead of paving the cracks. Permeability is important. Water draining back into the earth instead of running off into sewers seems important.

OK, I was also going to suggest planting to fill in the cracks, but our unanimous panel beat me to it.

-or-

If you are not into the maintenance of plants, I like small, contrasting pebbles between the cracks also.

moss moss moss, i join the chorus (glad to see so many moss fans here!)

ditto creeping thyme--so beautiful, durable, and pretty much maintenance free.

yes, something that grows and is green!

ditto creeping thyme or moss
and since it's outdoors, better to keep the surface permeable to rain water (so no to concrete and glaze)

i think moss would be very pretty

That looks like bluestone -- if so there is no need to seal it. The old sidewalks in Brooklyn are paved with it and it was probably quarried in the Catskills. Try corsican mint in between the stones. It looks like moss, it doesn't grow rangy like most other mint and when you step on it, it smells heavenly. The only thing you need to do is to water it.

People who "age" clay pots and brick use a diluted buttermilk spray to encourage moss growth. Moss may be harder to grow on impacted soil between the stones, but creeping thyme will take over.

Anthea, I guess you can pretty much tell where we all stand! Rubyrae's idea of the mint sounds really nice, and that link that Art provided is really pretty. I think I'd be tempted to try some different varieties of lettuce in that strip along the fence, or maybe put up a couple of pieces of lattice and try some morning glories and/or moonflowers.

Do be sure to post some pics - I'd love to see what you decide on.

Green-between-the-stones is a fab solution, but if for some reason you're not onboard with living plants, consider pea gravel as the filler.

Mint is a good solution plat- it grows like crazy, and smells nice! You can also make a wonderful iced tea with it as well.

Please don't paint it. Gravel is a good idea.

I think your space has the potential to be quite lovely. Way to see the "good bones" of a space!

Recently I read an article about propagating moss in an area. Since moss's "leaves" are technically cells, it's possible to "seed" it by putting live moss in a blender with some water and sour milk, then pouring it over the surface you desire to grow the moss on. You can find instructions under the "Making a Moss Garden" heading at this link:

http://www.gnps.org/Massie.htm

According to the article it will take about 5 weeks to begin to see results. Good luck! We'd love to see the finished product!