My partner and I recently finished a walkway in our backyard. We have a small backyard, about 18x28ft and the walkway is 3.5×18ft. The previous… More on reddit.com

I think you need some more practice. I will dm you my address where you can come and do so :) More on reddit.com

The terms Modern and Inexpensive are at odds with everything you listed in the body of your post. All of the options are on the expensive side for materials, and a herringbone pattern is not modern, no matter how many colors it has. Unless you have a truly MASSIVE space to fill with pavers, I cannot imagine a herringbone pattern using Calstone Linear that would look anything but cut up and lopsided once you were done, or a comically Charlie Brown zigzagged pattern. With only 3 stark colors, they don't offer enough options to get anything subtle. Look into different manufacturers for inspiration. I like the Techo-bloc 2022 line for colors. They have a few lines that have colors that are subtle and muted against each other within their own families, and tend towards multiple earth tones. The Blu 80 and Eva have a lot of color options. For linear their Linea line in Chestnut Brown and Champlain Grey is very subtle and (if done correctly) looks great together. You look like you are set on the herringbone pattern (which to me is the antithesis of modern), but Techo's Diamond and Hexa lines are truly modern and have good color choices https://techo-bloc.canto.com/direct/document/rl32etjfih1932o6d8r2cj3s1m/24udUkjz_F-FVGaqzu_n41Kifm0/original?content-type=application%2Fpdf&name=TB2022_CATALOG_EN.pdf Also dont get stuck with a single "line" or "family" from one manufacturer. Mixing and matching different lines is what can really transform a patio to a modern look. I follow this guy's youtube channel for really inspired mixing and matching of different pavers https://www.premieroutdoorlivingllc.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRn5-n1VoeYVEqvaKNEhTzg More on reddit.com

Even 1 foot per 8 feet is enough. 1 in over four feet is aggressive, but works well. I like your style. As far as class 5: 9” is too much, unless you mean total excavation, not just gravel. Shoot for 5 or 6. Total excavation from top of paver to bottom of gravel should be 8 or so. Maybe 9 or 10 if you really need a solid base. 5 inches of gravel, two lifts, tamp it good. One inch of sand or 1/4 inch chip rock, two inches for pavers. Getting the base flat and having flat screed bars is key. Use string line. Cheers. Fwiw, the red bricks are nice against bluestone. The manufactured pavers are okay. More on reddit.com