Regarding your question about the patio renovation, I think we should stick with the bluestone pavers rather than going with stamped concrete. The natural variation in the stone will give the space a more timeless feel, and from what I recall, bluestone doesn't get as hot underfoot during the summer months. We looked at a few samples last weekend at the landscaping supply yard and the charcoal gray with subtle blue undertones was really striking. I also spoke with the contractor about drainage and he mentioned that a slight grade away from the house with a hidden french drain would handle any runoff without needing visible gutters or downspouts near the seating area. For the perimeter, I'm leaning toward a low boxwood hedge rather than a fence, just to keep the sightlines open. Let me know if you want to swing by the yard together this weekend to see the full slabs in person before we place the order. I think they're open Saturday morning until noon.

So about the compost setup you asked about, I finally got mine going in a way that doesn't smell at all. I'm using a three-bin system I built out of repurposed cedar fence boards with about half-inch gaps between slats for airflow. The first bin is for fresh scraps and browns, the second is for material that's been cooking for a month or so, and the third is for finished compost that's ready to use. I started layering kitchen scraps with shredded cardboard and dry leaves, and I water it lightly every time I add a new layer. The trick is to keep the ratio somewhere around two parts browns to one part greens, and to turn it with a pitchfork every five or six days. After about eight weeks I had dark, crumbly material that smelled like forest floor rather than rot. If you want I can send you the rough dimensions I used, it's a pretty simple build.