Curb Appeal – Just for You
By Charissa Farley
This is the time to make all the little moments counts. To squeeze the happiness and joy into and out of the mundane that was previously missed or wasted.
After a busy day of running around, taking phone calls, getting to the next appointment, and hundreds of other activities during the course of a day, my car gets close to home, my home, and just the site of it brings a sense of calm. My sanctuary, my oasis, my beautiful little piece of tranquility, a beautiful meal, and relaxation.
And it all started with the driveway, a thoughtful hand-crafted, piece of art, created with individually set interlocking pavers, that have warmed with an aged patina that has improved over time, and that I know will be there as long as the home. Draping Bougainvillea with bright pink flowers arch my approach and the flowers dust the pavers as if carefully placed to create my own timeless image of a countryside pavement that could have been placed many generations ago.
The interlocking pavers in Southern California are almost all made in Southern California, made by local family businesses from local dirt and rock within 100 miles of and are almost always installed by local craftsman most of whom probably learned this trade in one of the first jobs out of high school. Many of our employees have started by carrying pavers and learn each next skill step by step. Many of our employees have been with us for over 10 years.
They may be learning this trade very similar to the Ancient Egyptians 5,000 years ago, the Ancient Greeks, and the Ancient Romans. The 350 mile Appian Way built in the year 312 BC used virtually the same methodology and much of it is still there. We are proud to still be here and to carry on this ancient trade and tradition.
If your beautiful pavers need maintenance or restoration, of if you have yet to have your own masterpiece, we would love to be of service.
Q&A with Owner, Charissa Farley
- What is your proudest professional moment?
Being recognized by Palm Springs Life as Corporate Business Woman of the Year and receiving the Grayse Philanthropy Award.
- What innovation in the field has helped you most?
The Interlocking Concrete Paving Institute has collected data and performed studies from all over the world as well as historically. Their tracking of innovations, failures and developments in our industry has been invaluable.
- What do you like most about your job?
I have over the years got closer and closer to “work life balance”. My version of that is do what you love and love what you do. With the development of web based systems I can work at the beach, or the mountains or the desert. Our company has expanded so that we work for some of the largest commercial contractors throughout Southern California so I can travel to work or develop work in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Newport Beach or San Diego.
- How do you hope to describe your career when you retire?
I never want to retire. I hope to be like Harold Matzner and just get busier but to do it just for fun.
- What do you try to accomplish in your first meeting with a client?
What will make them happy? What do they value? What do they need and want?
- What advise would you give someone entering your field?
Start with the end in mind.