This is also a project from the little house I rented in Pasadena. When I moved in there was really no usable space in the fenced in side yard. It was covered in mulch, had a sidewalk to nowhere running through it, and a small paver patio. Having a dog, and a love to relax and entertain outdoors, I had to transform this space into a little sanctuary. I took it from unusable, to a space that was used every day.
For this project I purchased some larger flagstone pieces, and used a sledgehammer to break up basic patio pavers as fillers. I covered the existing sidewalk with a layer of topsoil before eventually covering it with sod.
Before and after picture 
First the ground was leveled and sand was laid as a base for the flagstone 
The larger flagstone pieces were set in place first.
This chain link fence was later removed
I thought this one looked like California : ) 
I left some space for planting shrubs 
My constant helper 
The stones were set and leveled 
They were hard set with a product called power lock sand 
I left an area of open space for the dog to play and potty 
The first attempt at grass was with seed Sod was laid 
The Starving Yardist 