We're building a 3,500 square foot paver driveway! It's a tall order, especially in Yorktown, which often features groundwater issues among a host of other things. We had to approach this one knowing we could find a solution, even if we weren't sure exactly what it would be at first.

To solve the groundwater problem we decided to utilize geogrid, a material that can be used to reinforce soil and other materials like it. We used open grade construction with a combination of woven fabric, different sizes of round gravel, geogrid, and pavers laid on top for a solid base. Along the way we had to remove an aggregate walkway and add a condensation line with plenty of drainage.

But we couldn't stop there, because we knew this driveway needed a little flair...

We wanted to create a backyard paradise at this home in Yorktown, but with 1200 square feet of pavers, we had a lot to do - and a lot to work with! The first step was to add some additional privacy with a fence and landscaping that includes green giant arbor trees to create a little separation from the neighbors.

The main event is the River Pools swimming pool, where we added some curves, colors, and textures to make the space pop. Since kids will be visiting this backyard a lot, we added a water wall both for beauty and to create a 'natural' diving board - we can promise it will be used over and over again! On the side for the adults is a hot tub surrounded by a stone wall, so the grown ups can relax while the kids play.

And believe it or not, this is only phase 1...

This backyard design in Yorktown is going to feature almost everything: columns, walls, outdoor lights, and a fire pit, all in about a 450 sq foot space. The key with smaller spaces like these is making sure that the elements are both cohesive and unique, so we set about making that happen within the constraints we had.

One day we did this was by laying the pavers at different angles to highlight the fire pit, which you can see below in the video and slideshow. We added a few other touches as well...