Another competition and another incredibly difficult decision.
Year after year, the standard of entries to our annual photographic competition has left us gobsmacked here in the Simply Paving office. This latest competition has been no different - we were in awe of the level of skill in both design and workmanship on show in the photographs - because of this we have chosen one outright winner who will receive a cheque of £500, a second place entry who will receive a cheque of £200 and nine runners-up who will each receive a cheque for £100.
Enough of us telling you how good the entries are, see for yourself below!
The first prize of £500 goes to Mrs Zoe and Mr Craig Lewis of North Yorkshire with this stunning entry, which really displays an incredible level of workmanship and demonstrates the clean lines and subtle tonal variations of the Bradstone StoneMaster Block Paving range. Using a mix of the three colours in the Buff shades; Dark Buff Cast, Dark Buff Washed and Light Buff Washed they have produced a very attractive driveway that perfectly replicates the look of natural sandstone block paving, which works perfectly with the brickwork of the house.
This year, for the first time we have chosen a second placed entry who will be cashing a cheque for £200.
Second place in our competition has been awarded to Mrs Jane Morris from Surrey who has created an absolutely beautiful outdoor space using Bradstone's Woburn Rumbled Block Paving Graphite. Using three sizes, the customer has created an eye-catching concentric circle design which adds interest, whilst we think you'll agree the Graphite colour works superbly with the wooden building, fencing and decking and also the planting scheme.
Our nine runners-up, each winning a prize of £100 are:
Mr Kevin Paterson from Kent who has used Bradstone Textured Paving Grey 600 x 600's to fantastic effect, creating this stunning contemporary outdoor space. Although, this product is part of our Value Range the finished job is clearly of very high quality, underlining just what can be achieved with any of our products.
Here, Mr Daniel Jones from Shropshire demonstrates how using a combination of materials can produce a very effective modern look. The decking, trellis and pergola work incredibly well when used alongside the StoneFlair by Bradstone Vogue Paving and the StoneFlair by Bradstone Polished Natural Sandstone Paving Fossil Buff.
Mr Darren Ayres from Cambridgeshire has produced a stunning outdoor space using StoneFlair by Bradstone Polished Natural Sandstone Paving Fossil Buff. It looks a wonderful place to enjoy a relaxed summers evening, perhaps even with a few beers or a bottle of wine!
In this photograph, Mrs Jennifer Floutier from Derbyshire shows that practical can be beautiful. Using Bradstone Woburn Rumbled Infilta Permeable Block Paving Rustic they have been able to create a driveway that is not only pleasing on the eye but also conforms to the legislation regarding paving the front of your home. For more information on the laying of Bradstone's range of Permeable Block Paving click here.
Mr John West from Cambridgeshire again demonstrates how one of our Value Range products can transform your outdoor space without spending the earth! This is more of a traditional feel than the earlier entry and uses Bradstone Weathered Riven Paving Weathered Cotswold 450 x 450's to create a stunning patio incorporating an access ramp.
Another example of how mixing materials can create a superb contemporary finish. Here Mr Martin Markcrow from Oxfordshire has combined wooden beds with Bradstone Decorative Aggregates Nordic Spar and StoneFlair by Bradstone Panache Long Aspect Black Textured to create both a dining area and pathways between planted areas. I think you'll agree, this photograph could have been taken straight out of Bradstone's new brochure.
Mr Mike Ellis from Flintshire has used StoneFlair by Bradstone Polished Natural Sandstone Paving Rainbow to create a charming outdoor dining area. The paving, decking and furniture work perfectly together and you can just imagine enjoying a summer salad here, unwinding after a day at work.
Ten out of ten on our next entry for both effort and Photoshop skills (we want that number plate)! Mr Phil Sutton from Cornwall has created a stunning driveway using Bradstone's Woburn Rumbled Block Paving Autumn. First impressions are important and the customer has given his property an extra touch of class and real kerb appeal.
You could be sat somewhere in the Mediterranean, but in fact you'd be sat in the garden of Mr Ray Lane from Kent. Using Bradstone Tile Paving Mellow Terracotta 300 x 300's the customer has evoked all the spirit, charm and warmth associated with true terracotta tiles.
Congratulations to all of our winners and thank you to everyone who entered the competition. The entries were all of an incredibly high standard and we here at Simply Paving had a very tough time reaching our decision. You will find many of the images entered into the competition will be featured on our website and in our gallery hopefully proving to be a source of inspiration to all of our customers.
Make sure you keep an eye out for more fantastic competitions from Simply Paving over the coming months.