Before you do it beware gravel is not as low maintenance as you think.

For the first few years you'll get very little weed but after say 3 years dust particles will collect in the gravel and it will be a seed magnet you'll have to weed or spray regularly.

Not as much work as a lawn but certainly not zero maintenance.

I would recommend planting some winter flowering heathers through the gravel. They require zero work,will spread to 3-4 feet across in about 5-7 years ,provide colour in winter and interest the rest of the year and will reduce the area of gravel you'll have to weed in later years

Here's one I did several years ago

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31559373@N00/8704796974/in/photolist-egdmSs-Mhrps-7kbSNa-6nQ2y6-57S75t-8Dafga-57MYZq-Mb6Zc-dwEARi-e7fC5J-6nQ2ie-6m1AV1-dwKMyu-69GuZ1-6m1A6E-dfbXoP-sUJdx-areWK-bULAqD-4UTLEn-d2GmKh-6q8JA7-cwqgRU

I spray that one three or 4 times a year

and an aerial view( rear garden)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31559373@N00/4155276029/in/photolist-7kbSNa-6nQ2y6-57S75t-8Dafga-57MYZq-Mb6Zc-dwEARi-e7fC5J-6nQ2ie-6m1AV1-dwKMyu-69GuZ1-6m1A6E-dfbXoP-sUJdx-areWK-bULAqD-4UTLEn-d2GmKh-6q8JA7-cwqgRU

Plus, some perennial weeds can push through membrane. I would spray of the grass first. A double membrane, and your base layer needs to be a few inches thick, whacked down and compacted well prior to putting on the gravel/chipping finish. Done properly like that will stop the top layer from gradually mixing with the base layer and spoiling the look. It can all be a bit harsh on the eye, especially in the sun, and A's advice re heathers (I happen to like conifers and grasses) is to be heeded. It enhances the look of the gravel, and the plants love it.

Presumably what you really hate is cutting the grass? Why not do a costing on the membrane and gravel idea then put the money aside to pay someone to keep the lawn tidy for you.

Lateral thinking. Cost - bulk bag of scalpings is about £15 and that'll do about 8 - 10 square metres. Don't forget the hire of whacker plate, (£30 - £40). The final gravel/chippings layer will be more expensive than the scalpings, varying between £40 an £180 a bag depending on choice of finish. That'll cover a few metres though. The membrane is cheap, but you'll need a roll. You can never buy the exact quantity of everything you need, so there's always excess of membrane, scalpings etc). Then there's your time, too, although you'll see that as free, but it isn't really.

Why not re-think and have something that will both look good to your eye every time you look out of the window and be able to use a different gardening skill,

A knott garden,
you'll still come away from the grass cutting and you'll not be having to hope both the weather and the grass hired people work in sinc, But you'll have a nice place to just sit and read !
a few small statues can turn this space into a real different garden space for you to enjoy instead on being such a pain ref grass cutting.
You will have the initial cost but for your enjoyment dont you owe it to yourself to have a place to relax and be nice on the eye's?

www knott gardening.

Dungy, I think 'knott gardening' is his aim!

Ouch!!!!