How to lay out a garden path. How to make a path at your dacha with your own hands? Path made of round river stones
Garden paths have long ceased to be a necessity and are one of the decorative elements of a summer cottage. Let's try to understand the variety of materials for their manufacture. We’ll also talk about the basic principles of making tracks on our own.
Design Features
The shapes of the paths largely depend on the area of the site, its functionality and the cost of making it yourself. For a small summer cottage with a vegetable garden and other buildings, they try to make small, inexpensive paths from scrap materials, but taking into account that they can roll a cart. The shapes of such paths are usually rectilinear, without winding lines.
If the area allows, there is strength and time, then It’s better to make curved paths at the dacha, the overall composition of the site will only benefit from this. With the help of paths, you can create an artificial or beat the existing terrain. It will look even more interesting decorative bridge, the pond can be real or “dry”.
Materials
You can make garden paths from anything, it all depends on your imagination, time capabilities and financial resources. But before choosing a material, you should consider the following factors in advance:
Vehicle driveways and main entrances are the most commonly used, respectively, and the materials must be strong and durable (eg concrete, stone). Paths among garden trees can be lighter and more airy - gravel, wood cuts, plastic tiles are suitable.
Now let's try to list all the most commonly used types of materials for creating garden paths on suburban areas:
- Stone. The most commonly used stone is flagstone, which is produced by sawing large stones into flat slabs. The variety of shapes and sizes of flagstone allows you to create different configurations of paths. They will serve you for decades and look very impressive and noble. Among the disadvantages of this material, it is worth noting its high cost; it can become slippery when wet, and when sub-zero temperatures covered with ice.
You can use round river stones or pebbles to pave paths. It will look very original if you post a drawing or ornament.
- Brick. For street paths It is permissible to use brick, but not the usual one for walls, but clinker brick, it is more durable. Using bricks it is possible to create different patterns. The color scheme has several shades. Among the minuses, we note the considerable cost of one unit, as well as the complexity of installation (bricks need to be placed on concrete mortar, a simple sand pillow will not work).
- Concrete. Concrete paths are already more a budget option than stone and brick. Modern technologies make it possible to make concrete paths colored, using various construction forms to create imitations of stone and other textures.
- Paving slabs. Paving slabs are becoming increasingly popular as an option for decorating garden paths. The reasons for its universal popularity lie in the wide variety of shapes and colors, and installation is not as difficult as with brick and concrete.
- Tree. Wood, as a very environmentally friendly and widely available material, will always be in demand among any construction work. It is convenient and pleasant to work with him. Wooden walkways are usually made from regular boards, terrace boards or round timber cuts.
It is better to treat the latter with special solutions to protect against the aggressive effects of the sun and water.
- Plastic and other materials. There are special sets of modular plastic coverings on sale. If this is a set of tiles, then their installation is very quick and convenient using special clips. But this coating is more fragile than those listed above; it should not be used in places with high functional load. However, it is perfect for the area in front of the pool, in the recreation area or on the playground.
- We also include in this group garden parquet. This wooden elements or plastic imitating wood, at the base of which there are special fastenings like modular plastic plates. The assembly of such a covering is very fast, and it looks very impressive. However, during operation it should not be subjected to heavy loads. This covering is perfect for decorating gazebos and verandas.
Handy items sometimes find a second life in the form of covering paths in garden plots. Resourceful summer residents use caps or plastic bottles themselves, fragments glass bottles And ceramic tableware, old car tires.
- Bulk paths. In suburban areas, where there is only a lawn and trees, where you only plan to walk around the territory, you can organize embankment paths. The material for filling such paths is crushed stone, gravel, brick and marble chips, sand, sawdust or Kara, a combination of bulk materials with solid elements (boards, flagstone). Making such paths is much simpler than all the others, but maintenance will be more complex and constant (constant addition of material will be required).
- Rubber cover. This is one of the “youngest” types of coating. IN last years Modern playgrounds are covered with rubber coating like this. Rubber coating is a mixture of crumb rubber, which is obtained by shredding old tires, and a polyurethane connector.
Last the new kind flooring has a lot of advantages:
- Easy to install and dismantle.
- Can be installed on any surface (wood, stone, metal).
- Resistant to environmental influences.
- It is environmentally friendly, has no odor and does not acquire any other properties during operation.
- Moisture does not retain and does not slip.
- Wide color palette, variety of shapes and types (tiles, paving stones, borders, rolled, seamless).
But a couple of disadvantages significantly hinder the widespread use of rubber coating: high cost and fire hazard near an open fire.
Site marking
To country paths lasted for many years without collapsing or violating the planned geometry, It is very important to carry out preliminary work on laying the material:
- The first stage in preparing paths is drawing up a site plan with laid paths, thinking through the design, preliminary calculations for the number necessary materials and preparation of tools.
- Then you need to mark the paths on the site. To do this, draw width-wise paths on the ground; for greater clarity, the boundaries can be sprinkled with lime.
- Most materials will need to be removed for installation. upper layer soil. Please note that the trench will need to be slightly wider in order to install barriers on the sides for the material being laid.
- If the shape of the paths provides for certain verified dimensions, it is more convenient to do the tracing using driven pegs and a rope stretched over them.
Having completed all the preparatory work, you can proceed to the most labor-intensive stage - laying the material.
Execution of work
Do not rush and lay your future paths in a trench without a prepared cushion. Otherwise, after a few years, the tracks will lose their shape and the material will lose appearance or begins to collapse (for example, wooden blocks without special treatment and without drainage of water, they will begin to rot, and the stone will begin to be covered with moss).
The preparation of a special pillow must be approached with special care:
- Install temporary or permanent curbs on the sides. They have both aesthetic value (they give a finished look to paths made of brick, stone, concrete), and help to level each layer of the cushion, and are also needed if you plan to pour concrete.
- Pour gravel or crushed stone into the prepared trench; it is better to use a finer fraction.
- Lay a geotextile fabric on top; it will not allow sand to seep through the gravel bed and will reduce the germination of plants that can destroy the path.
- A layer of sand should be poured over the geotextile so that the top edge of the finished path is slightly above the soil level. The sand layer must be well compacted and leveled.
Try to achieve a perfectly smooth and dense surface of the sand cushion; you may have to level and compact it several times, but the result of such work is worth it.
It is advisable to make this kind of preparatory layer before laying the path from any material. The exception is concrete, but for it it is described detailed preparation below.
When preparing the pillow, try to give it a slope. Depending on the selected base material, the slope can be in one or both directions. This technique is used even when laying asphalt roads and highways so that water does not linger on the surface and does not have its destructive effect. This becomes especially noticeable in the off-season, when daytime above-zero temperatures give way to nighttime below-zero temperatures, and freezing water destroys Construction Materials. An exception is paths made of rubber slabs; they do not require a slope, since water will easily seep between the gaps of the slabs and go into the soil.
Stone paths, as well as paving slabs and bricks are laid on a sand bed. They are driven in with a rubber hammer or mallet.
Do not use a regular metal hammer, as even a wooden one can damage the track material.
If you have chosen brick paths, then it is better to start laying from the curb rows, and then move towards the center. Try to think through the design of the path in such a way that one row is along the curb and the other across, this method will add strength to the entire masonry. When the laying of bricks is completed, they should be fastened together with cement-based adhesive designed for outdoor work.
In addition to the main function of holding the material together, the glue will not allow grass to grow between the bricks. Then the seams between the elements should be filled with sand using a long-bristled brush. Then the formwork is removed, crushed stone is poured in its place and compacted well. To achieve beautiful color brick and increase its service life, coat it with a penetrating primer and, after it has completely dried, seal everything with varnish for street work.
Paving slabs and stone are laid according to the same principle. Installation and installation of rubber slabs is similar to working with brick, except for bonding with glue, primer and varnish.
Working with concrete paths has several nuances:
- Boards are installed in the prepared trench as borders, and they will also act as formwork for concrete. WITH outside the boards are secured with pegs or reinforcement. Where the path bends, it is better to use pieces of plywood or plastic for formwork.
- Next, sand is poured, moistened and compacted. The thickness of the sand layer must be at least 60 mm.
- The penultimate layer of the pillow will be crushed stone; its thickness should be approximately the same as sand - 60 mm. Don't forget to compact it tightly.
- The last to be laid is the reinforcing mesh or any other suitable material to create additional strength of the track. Reinforcement also allows you to save concrete consumption; without it, the concrete thickness should be at least 15 cm. It is also necessary to install metal or plastic dividers along the entire length of the future path in increments of no more than 1.5 m.
- When pouring concrete, they will create barriers and divide the continuous layer into sections, and after drying, these separators are removed, and so-called expansion joints are formed in the paths.
- Do not forget to lubricate all elements in contact with the concrete, which will subsequently be removed from the final structure.
When the pillow is prepared, you can start pouring the concrete mixture. You can cook it yourself; there are many recipes for this:
- Mix cement and sand in a 1:3 ratio and dilute with water to the desired thick consistency.
- A more complex mixture of cement, sand and crushed stone in a ratio of 1: 3: 3, and water.
Water should be added to the dry mixture gradually, The concrete should not be liquid; achieve a consistency so that it flows smoothly. To increase ductility in concrete mixture It is permissible to add a little clay. Another option is to purchase a ready-made solution and work with it. But do not forget that ready-made liquid concrete must be used within several hours, otherwise it will dry out.
Garden paths - part landscape design. They make the dacha area well-groomed and attractive and make it easier to move around the area.
In our article we have collected detailed instructions, photos and videos on how to make paths with your own hands.
Economy options for paths in the countryside with your own hands
Used for arranging garden paths different materials, but there is General requirements, to which they correspond:
- Aesthetics
- Safety
- Moisture resistance
- Maintainability
- All-season
- Strength
- Easy care
Gardeners and summer residents make paths from concrete, wood, natural stone, paving slabs and other materials. Look what they look like.
Concrete path using ready-made forms
Path paved with natural stone
Wooden garden path
Path made of concrete and paving slabs
Path made of concrete imitating natural stone
Gravel path
Combined garden path made of stone and crushed stone
Another option for combining crushed stone, stone and paving slabs
Path made of paving slabs
Clinker brick path
Path made of stone
Ideally, garden paths are combined with exterior decoration home and complement the landscape. The material for the paths is selected taking into account the expected load.
Decorative paths are rarely used for their intended purpose. Bulk materials are suitable for them: gravel, sand, crushed stone.
It is better to move along the paths from durable concrete, brick or paving slabs. It is recommended to pave the parking lot with concrete, paving stones or stone.
Do-it-yourself concrete paths at the dacha
Concrete garden paths are practical, durable, and can withstand heavy loads. Rough surface concrete coverings doesn't slip.
Such paths are arranged in two ways: using formwork or special forms.
Pouring with formwork
First prepare the base: remove the top layer of soil and compact it. Then proceed according to the scheme.
Gray concrete looks boring, but there are ways to elevate it.
On small areas build winding paths with smooth turns and bends. This will visually expand the space.
Add pigment to the concrete mixture to color your walkway. desired color. Add coloring pigments at the stage of preparing the filling mixture.
Show your imagination, and gray concrete will turn into an imitation of wild stone, as in the photo below. This requires a sharp knife and a steady hand to make stone-shaped grooves on the surface when the concrete has set but not completely hardened.
Pouring into special forms
Plastic forms for pouring concrete are sold in construction and gardening stores.
Prepare the base for the path. To do this, go 10 cm deep into the soil. Next, compact the soil and lay a cushion of sand and crushed stone. If you add crushed stone to the concrete mixture, make a sandy base.
Moisten the prepared base with water, and treat the filling molds with a special lubricant on the inside.
Then place the molds in the sand bed, press them so that top part protruded above the ground by 0.5 - 1 cm.
Prepare a concrete mixture, add a plasticizer to it to give the path strength, add a colored pigment (optional) and pour it into the molds so that the concrete is evenly distributed over the entire area. Level the top layer with a spatula or trowel.
After 30 - 40 minutes, when the concrete has set, carefully remove the forms and cover the path with film for 1-2 days. You can walk along the path after 5 days.
Video of a thematic master class will help you
Do-it-yourself tile paths in the country
Paving slabs are used for garden paths different designs, color and size. It is laid on a prepared base with a sand base, as in the diagram below.
Tiles of 40x40 cm are often used for installation. Big size reduces the time for arranging garden paths. The tiles are laid so that the distance between its centers is no more than a step.
The gaps at the junction points are filled with sand, and the edges of the path on both sides are limited by curbs.
The advantage of paving slabs is that they can be combined with country houses and dachas of any style and fit into simple and complex landscapes.
Do-it-yourself wooden paths in the country
Wooden paths in the countryside look natural, stylish and durable. Garden paths at the dacha are made from ordinary boards no less than 5 cm thick. You will have to tinker with them less than with laying individual cuts one by one.
The advantage of such wooden paths is quick installation and neat appearance. Manufacturing begins with the selection of materials and tools. Inexpensive and common lumber - boards from coniferous species tree. It is better to choose larch, but the cost in this case will be higher.
The wood is treated according to the standard procedure: with an antiseptic, and then covered with varnish or paint for further protection. Clear varnish highlights the wood grain, and colored paint adds accents. The boards are cut into pieces of equal length. For paths of complex shape, the length of each plank is selected individually.
The base of the paths from natural wood, as for a wooden path made from saw cuts, it is made from a sand-crushed stone cushion. Preparatory work performed in the following sequence: marking, foundation pit, geotextiles, crushed stone layer, sand layer, compaction.
Then the boards are laid on the base or placed on a raised platform - a specially constructed frame. Boards laid in the ground look natural and relaxed, but this wooden path spoils faster. The structure on the frame will be stronger and more durable, in a word - capital. This idea requires more effort.
Watch the video on how to make garden paths from wood at minimal cost
The construction of a garden path from wooden saw cuts resembles paving stones. Instead of stones, flat wooden dies of the same height are laid. To create a dense path, large cuts are alternated with stumps of small diameter, and the free space is filled with large branches.
Ordinary stumps or tree slices make nice winding paths. Choose the right material, understand the installation techniques, and you will be able to make garden path from wood cuts with your own hands in the garden or at the dacha.
Pay attention to preparing the wood. Untreated wood will quickly become unusable, and the path made from tree rings will have to be redone. First, choose the type of wood. Suitable:
- pine
- larch
- birch
The difference between hardwood (larch, beech, oak) and other types is the service life. Larch will last 25 years, pine will be in use for 5 - 7 years.
Use dry, pest-free wood. Arrange the logs into dies of equal height. Optimal size— 15 cm. For convenience, use a template. If you do the workpiece yourself, make sure that the cut is made strictly perpendicular to the log. Sort the sliced “pancakes” by size and remove any cracked ones. Clean the rings from the bark.
Next, treat the wood cuts for the paths to protect them from rotting and destruction. An elementary method is treatment with drying oil. Bring the drying oil to a boil, then dip each stick into the hot oil. The boiling substance seals the pores of the wood and prevents moisture, the first enemy, from getting inside. wooden products. Disadvantages of this method: long and dangerous. Hot drying oil can burn you.
Another option is special formulations. Arm yourself with a brush or spray bottle and treat the wood with an antifungal agent. After preventative treatment let the wood dry.
After preparing the material, proceed to constructing the path. Take your time when laying a path from wood cuts. First, do the preparatory and excavation work:
- Mark the path in the garden
- Remove the top layer of soil
- Dig a trench
- Arrange waterproofing
- Prepare the base.
Now you can take up the shovels. Don't make the trench deep. Add 10 cm to the height of the dies - this depth will be optimal.
Place a waterproofing layer in the trench. Some people use film or roofing felt, but in such cases it is better to use geotextiles. This material does not allow water to stagnate and weeds to grow.
Place a 10 cm layer of gravel on the waterproofing - this is drainage to drain water. Compact and cover with 5 - 10 cm of sand.
Wet the sand to better compact and level the base of the stump garden path. When wet, sand is compacted by hand.
The wood is laid in accordance with the pattern or in a random order. The logs are placed on a sand cushion, then they are compacted and leveled. Sand or crushed stone is poured into the gaps. Mulch, sawdust, pebbles, and moss are suitable for seams on top.
Friends, in this photo selection of ideas for country paths, I would like to introduce you to 35 economical options for their design. Budget does not mean bad, because even without a large sum on hand, you can create an ideal plot and equally ideal paths and paths at your dacha.
We all know that old paving stones and bricks left over from buildings usually go to landfill. But if you clean them and put them in proper shape, then all the paths in your dacha can be paved with such materials.
Simple stone pebbles, found in abundance in rivers, can also become the basis of your country house path. We also add rectangular cement step slabs here and get a beautiful, gracefully curved path.
Returning to bricks, I would like to note the red clay pre-revolutionary brick, it’s just a treasure! And if you pave your paths with this material, then your path will last for centuries. Previously, bricks were made conscientiously.
Crushed stone mixed with cement rectangular stepping blocks can also be an excellent option.
basis budget track The broken brick can also serve, the main thing is to connect it beautifully with each other, to create some semblance of a common outline.
Round stepping blocks can also look beautiful, which can be placed as a passage through a pond or just on the lawn. The base is cement and leftover building materials.
The boundaries of brick paving can be uneven, this will give your economy path a special decorative effect.
Sometimes you can buy broken flagstone at a fairly attractive price, and use it to make a real work of country art on a cement base.
Having a grinder on hand, you can cut old brick into squares and create a combination of rectangular and square blocks.
An original solution for the design of a path in a country house can be a brick border and a central embankment made of crushed stone.
I deliberately do not show completely dubious options for cost-effective paths made from boards; after all, there must be some kind of rationality. In areas where stone is found in abundance, even ideas such as those in the photo above can be implemented without any investment at all.
It is important to understand that even flagstone can be found at an affordable price, if you have the right attitude.
Returning to the old red brick, it can be “mined” from the ruins of former collective farms. Or you can buy it cheaply from stalkers - villagers who make their living by dismantling these buildings.
Well, river pebbles can be washed in any river or stream, not at once, but on the rifts similar material complete.
And I generally consider cement walking tracks made from squares to be the most in a simple way creating a design at the dacha.
Even an imitation of flagstone is obtained from simple cement with some artistic taste.
Various dyes mixed into cement will give your economy path completeness and attractiveness.
If you have a large tree growing on your property, then for a couple of seasons you can make paths from the cuttings of this tree. Beautiful and economical.
By combining fragments of flagstone and small crushed stone you can get this stylish country path.
You can plant lawn between the slabs to add artistic appeal to your path.
In general, all unoccupied territories in summer cottage I would advise seeding it with a lawn. Cut grass is better than dirt, in my opinion!
An interesting idea - the base of the path is made of cement, and on top there is a decor of flat large pebbles.
In some cases, even impregnated boards can be a wonderful option for an economical country path. The same applies to timber and old logs, only they will have to be treated first.
In this article we will offer several original ideas for arranging with your own hands original, beautiful and at the same time inexpensive and convenient garden paths, which will become one of the decorations of your local area or cottage.
1. Gravel, just gravel
Let's start with one of the simplest and least expensive ideas - creating garden paths from gravel. The advantages of this option include a wide selection of fractions and shades, as well as the ability to get by with a minimum of cost and effort.
If you are creating such a path, you will have to take care of the presence of a curb or other limiter so that the gravel remains within the boundaries of the path
In this case, enough gravel was covered big square between neat flower beds where vegetables grow, not flowers
2. Large stones or slabs on gravel
A slightly more expensive, but also more comfortable and original option is to lay out a path of flat stones or concrete slabs, and fill the space between them with the same gravel.
Large slabs of stone or concrete will become the basis of the path, and so that grass does not break through between them and the path looks more attractive, the space is covered with inexpensive gravel
Stone slabs You can scatter the gravel in any, most chaotic order - this way the path will look even more unusual
3. Stones and lawn
If you don't mind green grass, allow the lawn to grow freely between the flagstones of the path. This combination of greenery and stone will look very natural and harmonious in the garden.
Stone slabs literally “grow” into the green lawn, becoming an integral part of the garden
Why destroy your lawn when you can create something like this? beautiful path, walking along which will be no less convenient than on ordinary paths, completely tiled
We can confidently say about such a path made of massive stone slabs - “made to last.” And the moss growing between the slabs gives it a natural look, as if the path appeared on its own
4. One plank, two planks
The result may not be a ladder at all, but a convenient garden path. Just remember to treat the wood, which will have to withstand moisture and temperature changes.
It is not necessary to use quite expensive ready-made boards; you can purchase ordinary pallets, which are quite inexpensive. All that remains is to disassemble them, treat the resulting boards with a special compound and lay out the path
Another advantage of such a garden path is that if necessary, replacing one of the boards will not be difficult
5. Boards and gravel
From wooden planks It is not at all necessary to lay out a continuous flooring. You can use gravel and create a harmonious combination of stone and natural wood.
You can pour different gravel between the boards - large, medium, small, it all depends on your desire
By the way, with the help of boards and gravel you can create stepped paths in areas with uneven terrain
6. Pebbles
An ideal option for those who want to bring a piece of the sea beach into their garden is pebbles. You can use it to lay out unusual compositions or simply fill the path, making sure to take care of the limiters.
Very nice option pebble paths. Children will especially enjoy jumping from one laid out piece to another - a real playground
It will be pleasant to walk along such a path barefoot, imagining yourself on a pebble beach somewhere on the Black Sea coast
7. Wooden cuts
If boards seem too banal to you or you just recently got rid of a large tree that was cluttering up the area, you can use wooden saw cuts to create a garden path. The beauty of natural wood does not need additional decorations, but to protect it from external influences have to.
Wooden cuts can be of different sizes - this combination will look no worse
Of course, finding large wooden cuts will not be easy. However, smaller round pieces can also be laid out in this way - on top of each other, in steps
8. Boards and grass
As with flagstones, it's okay to allow green grass to grow between the boards. Experts note that boards lying on gravel last longer, but your garden will look like a corner of almost untouched nature with a lot of greenery.
Old boards on a green lawn are both a retro option and a very natural part of a garden that has preserved its natural charm
9. Stone mosaic
This option for arranging a garden path will require a considerable investment of time and effort, but the resulting result will be so beautiful, durable and original that it will be worth all the effort.
From pebbles, large and small stones you can create amazing garden paths, real mosaic panels
This mosaic is laid out on concrete or sand. If you decide to lay stones on sand, you can additionally secure them with wood glue so that the paths last long enough
The process of laying out such a stone mosaic is very painstaking and requires attention to every stone.
10. Mosaic made from broken ceramic tiles
Everyone who has ever made repairs using ceramic tiles, there are bound to be unclaimed pieces left. Don’t rush to throw them away - with the help of broken or cut tiles you can create a beautiful and reliable garden path.
From pieces of a wide variety of broken tiles you can create garden paths that will definitely be one of a kind
You can create small individual panels from small pieces of tiles
11. Plastic covers
A very interesting option for arranging garden paths. The more plastic lids you have different colors, the more beautiful and brighter your garden path will turn out.
Plastic is not afraid of moisture and temperature changes, so such covers can be called unusual, but quite suitable option for creating garden paths
The only thing that can delay the implementation of such a project is the need to collect enough a large number of plastic covers. Although, if you turn to friends, acquaintances and neighbors for help, it will not be difficult to cope with this task
12. Plant-based concrete slabs
Concrete is truly universal material, from which you can make amazingly beautiful things. To create a garden path from unusual concrete slabs, you only need cement mortar and an ordinary large burdock, which you can easily find under the nearest fence.
It turns out that even a child can make such a garden path! So you can definitely handle it
These are the concrete mugs you should end up with:
13. Casting mold
Special forms for creating concrete garden paths can now be purchased at many hardware stores. With their help, you can create comfortable paths throughout your garden or local area with your own hands.
The appearance of your garden path will depend on the chosen shape.
You can add color to the solution and your path will sparkle with all the colors of the rainbow
14. Decking board
Of course, this option can no longer be called cheap, because ready-made decking boards are quite expensive. However, such a path will not only look beautiful, but also respectable, and will last for many years without losing its original parameters.
A path made from terrace or deck boards is one of the most expensive options
Larch deck boards will cost less depending on the type of material
15. Brick
Remember the girl Ellie who walked with her friends along the yellow brick path to Goodwin? Why not bring such a fabulous path into your garden by creating a solid and beautiful brick path with your own hands.
Bricks for the path can be chosen in different shades, and the process of laying it is similar to paving slabs
Most economical option- create a garden path from old bricks left after dismantling the outbuilding
16. Paving slabs
There seems to be nothing original about this idea. Indeed, paving slabs have now become one of the most popular options for arranging garden paths. But tiles are different! The diversity that exists today allows you to create original patterns from paving slabs and turn garden paths into a masterpiece of landscape design.
And in this case, the path made of paving slabs is surrounded by areas covered with gravel
As you can see, there are many options for arranging garden paths, and you can choose very inexpensive, if not free, options that involve the use of such “available” materials as wooden cuts, old bricks and plastic covers. Choose the idea that you like, implement your options and let your paths on the site be the most beautiful!