Because a compacted gravel foundation extends throughout the courtyard, the same installation method used for the gazebo worked well here. A layer of leveling sand was spread over the gravel, the pavers were carefully set in place, plastic edging was installed to hold everything securely, and the joints were filled with paver sand.
Unlike the gazebo project, no additional border pavers were needed. The base had to be sized carefully—wide enough to support the fire table, yet small enough to allow the Adirondack chairs to remain comfortably positioned around it. Since there were not enough leftover pavers to cover a larger area, keeping the footprint compact was both practical and visually appropriate.
The project was completed in a single day, including power washing the pavers, resulting in a stable, level platform for the fire table. It was another satisfying way to repurpose the old walkway pavers.
One unexpected consequence, however, is that the straight, level paver base now highlights another project waiting for attention. The nearby Zen garden wall, which has gradually leaned over the past 17 years, looks noticeably more uneven by comparison.
Repairing it will require a more extensive reconstruction than this project, so for now, that improvement will have to wait.
