How to Incorporate Masonry in Your Home
Natural stone is one of the most durable and elegant ways to enhance your property. In addition to walls, fireplaces, and driveways, which are frequently used in masonry projects, there are several other ways to include stone in your home.
Here are a few inspired ways to integrate natural stone in your next project:
Porches and Porticos
Consider adding a front porch or portico with stone accents to dramatically update the curb appeal of your home. Bluestone and Pennsylvania fieldstone are two popular stone choices with natural variations in color. This range of color allows them to complement nearly every style and material, including brick, stucco, wood, and concrete.
Water Features
Natural stone is naturally water resistant, making it an ideal material for adding a waterfall or water feature to your outdoor living space. You can include urns or clear globes with cascading water or create a wall with a long flow of water into a pool or pond. Water features add depth and drama to your home.
Fire Pits
If you aren’t ready to build a permanent outdoor fireplace, consider a fire pit area. You can add curved stone benches, pea gravel patio, or stone pavers. Place a removable fire pit in the center that allows you to swap it out with other features at different times of the year.
Lighting
Stone bowls can also hold candles and gas flames around the perimeter of your home. Consider adding striking accents with large stone urns. The flames will also help keep bugs and outdoor pests away, while extending outdoor entertaining at night.
Irregular Steps and Paths
For a natural, organic look, large stones can be used to create paths or stairways dotted around your backyard. Place the stones with space between them to allow grass to grow between the boulders. This style works well with meadow or wildflower gardens, creating an effortless and genuine backyard that looks like it grew over time.
For more design inspiration, visit Esposito Masonry’s portfolio of artisan stonework here.