LOL on the golf course views. I thought those might be okay but my parents live near one and when a stray ball goes through your house window there it's tough luck! STINKS!
more tomorrow....lil ones bedtime...
What does your front yard look like?
No golf course here, but I think the house builders in this area made an "A" in boring golf course landscaping 101.
Bwahahaha!
What do you all think of those pre-designed landscape bed kits the catalogs have? They run about $200+....since I don't know my plants well do you think it's a good option for my front landscape?
NO - they never work out, the plants are mostly duds they have left over... and they on the whole are for the North. Save you money, plan what you really want, and get what you love. If I dont love it I dont get it.. free, trade, or buying.
thanks for saving me!!!!
Guess I have lots to learn about plants then!
It will be well worth all the cost to take your time and really get what you want. I regret not saving some and getting what I wanted when I bought some Daylilies to fill a spot... not what I wanted and I ended up taking them out and giving the spot to a baby mountian laurel that I really wanted to start with.
a "baby laurel" now this isn't like the dwarf myrtals is it? you just mean the age of the plant right?
someone above mentioned having those dwarf myrtals. don't they look like large mum plants? so cute! and quite uncommon.
Mountian Laurel.. a texas native with purple flowers, not the same plant but names are very close. Ans yes I do mean a very young plant, from a wonderful friend of mine.
Be a pain to rip out the sidewalk because of sprinkler system but it will have to change, either rip out for new walk or extend walk on both sides and tile overtop so there is no curved wave to the walkway.
Wondering though...do I need the walk going to the street? This only is functional for the mailbox. And other homes in the neighborhood have sidewalks curving to their drives and mailbox at end of driveway...... Might mess up the symetrical formal look but otherwise people walk from drive onto grass to get to the front door which makes no sense either.
Opinions?
This message was edited Aug 20, 2007 9:47 AM
Everybody has such beautiful homes!
Tir, didn't I have a conversation with you last year about remodeling our kitchens? So this is a new house, did you finish the other kitchen?
We have a Georgian house too. We don't garden out front either. I think with the formal homes that less is more in a way. Here are a few ideas, IMO's, of course. Lol
I don't think there is any reason to change the color of the door or shutters. Green complements red. And the red color you can get through others accents.
I think the raised beds come too close to the front door and should end under the first set of windows.
I really like the idea of a brick path and think it should be enlarged near the door to create more of a "landing" area. You could put red benches and lots of flower pots.
I picture the raised beds massed with ferns (may not be possible in your area) but should be something en mass and not a lot different things.
Whatever you do, it's already beautiful, so have fun.
Cocoa,
Don't know on the kitchens. That's probably true. I've always got a million want-to projects floating around my brain. LOL! Moved FROM a new house and yes, this home is only dated inside by it's original early 80's kitchen. Still a far cry from terrible but not as current as I'd like.
You make a great point on the closeness of the beds to the door! Good grief I can't imagine moving them just yet but grrrr yes that's a great point.
This message was edited Aug 20, 2007 9:47 AM
Here is a shot of our front yard today. While front yards are never complete (lol), ours is doing better than most in this area. The extreme heat here in Texas, in addition to the recent rains, have left many plants dead or performing poorly. Personally, I like a lot of color, but the only things producing much color this year are the bouganvillias.
Sheral
Here is another shot of the path that goes between the front of the house and a large clump of shade trees in the middle of the yard. Eventually, I want this to lead into a 'Secret Garden' at the side of the house that can only be peeked at from the street.
Sheral,
(neat way you spell your name---I've never seen it like that!).
THANKS for the pictures!!! You have a unique and beautiful home there! LOVE the pathway to a secret garden idea. You've got a knack for creating nice curves in the garden. What is the roping off at the driveway?
I love that you have a fountain which seems to be in use! I see these to often left sitting with no water running.
Great ideas you've shared!
Here is the path from the other side, where the 'Secret Garden' will be.
You will certainly get many wonderful suggestions from the other, more experienced gardeners on this forum, but my first suggestion would be to add some kind of water feature to your front yard. Hardly a day goes by that someone walking or driving by does not stop and comment on our fountain. There are many houses around that have beautiful fountains, but few actually have constantly running water in them. Seeing and hearing running water enhances any area. They are worth the extra expense and effort to keep functional.
Sheral
I REALLY like how your yard winds through, what a beautiful space. And such sweet pups to share it with! I agree---fountains if installed NEED to be used.
The rope is an electric fence to keep the deer out of my yard. This is a very wooded area, and the deer here eat nearly everything. However, there are signs that they have learned to jump over it, so I am now considering taking it down. Few things in my yard are edible by the deer anyway. Most of those are hidden behind things that the deer won't cross to get to them. For instance, there is a rose bush growing at the front of the porch, but it is behind siberian iris and daturas, which the deer won't touch. Once in a while one of the long branches falls forward enough, and the deer will nibble on the ends, but will not venture past the iris or dats.
I am glad that you like the secret garden idea. I am thinking of either putting up a low stone wall across the open area to the street, or perhaps simply erect some kind of long free-standing trellis with a lovely vine that could allow a slight peek into the garden from the street.
Sheral
Thank you for your comments. Our house, like yours, has a bit of a formal, and square silhouette. I like the way that the curved beds help to soften it and give a more natural feel to the plantings.
We have five small dogs (two toy poodles, two chihuahuas, and a yorkie), and they all love the front yard. The winding path between two grassy areas make it a wonderful place for them to chase eachother or just lie down in the cool grass. There is always some shade in one area or another of the yard if they want to get out of the sun as well.
Sheral
Sheral,
You must not have an HOA? I've been through Austin many times but never got to venture into residential areas---I always see these beautiful Austin homes like yours on TV on magazines! Did you see the historic remodel on This Old House last summer? It was an Austin house.
Yes, we have an HOA, but it has less than 40 houses, and is not very active. The fees are only $100 per year, and they want to disolve the HOA in 2010, and sell off the common land.
No, I have not seen the show that you mentioned. Since I am addicted to those kind of shows, I will surely see it soon. There have been many segments featuring Austin property. I have seen several house flipping, and a couple of house hunter shows in the area.
Our house was built in 1996. The design is ageless, and very simple, with just a few nice large rooms. The back yard was a nightmare, but is slowly being transformed into a nice private retreat. The area that we live in is west of Austin, and was established as a lake resort area that now has many golf courses, marinas and even a small airport. We have thousands of acres of green belts and dedicated park lands as well. The presence of so many deer has made gardening a bit difficult, but I am slowly learning what works, and what does not work with this climate and clay soil.
Like you, I love to see pictures of other homes, and see what they have done with their spaces. Sometimes I think that many people are a bit shy about posting pictures of their gardens, but I love to see them all, from most humble to very extravagant. They are all expressions of love and devotion to Mother Nature.
This message was edited Aug 17, 2007 11:47 PM
lily, I couldn't have said it any better! I LOVE to see homes, inside and out. It's never to compare---oh I want that---or---oh mine's better. It's ALWAYS to see new ways I can do my spaces. I love the home shows!!! Lovely that your home IS timeless---it looks brand new!
Decided I WILL be buying the pediments to dress up the windows. Will only need 4 for the bottom windows (not enough room up) and they will match the door.
did you move recently...................I remember you posting pics of the interior of your house and it was very contemporary ......................i thought you were in san Antonio????????????
Wishing you good luck..............but I would never ever throw away Sago palms that beautiful ............maybe you could move them???????????
Teasing you..............if you paint your door red, you won't have a formal house anymore..........gail
hi! you have such a good memory gail! lol---yes, was in SA! Not going to throw any plants away if I can help it. Just rehome them is all.
This message was edited Aug 20, 2007 9:48 AM
Tir,
I'm one of those non-conformers. There are NO RULES. It is your home. You pay the mortgage. Whatever, whatever makes you happy is just right. Go to it, girl.
LouC
Well, let's put it this way..............my cousin lives in Houston and they sold their large home in Bellaire when all the kids were gone and bought a 3 story townhouse close to downtown Houston........painted the front door orange red and their townhome is furnished with a very funky look.............a little from the past mixed in with David Marsh furniture from Surroundings down on Sunset Blvd...............
When I think of formal homes like the facade of yours I think of homes in River Oaks and how the doors and shutters are painted...............pretty much a traditional dark green black shutters and natural finished door or Wedgewood blues and grays............
LouC,
Thank-you. :) You know I constantly say to myself, "I wonder what the next homeowner will think if I do a, b, c????" I really do! But I am interested to know if a red door is informal. Though...at least on this change I think I gotta do it!
This message was edited Aug 20, 2007 9:49 AM
Thanks for the elaboration gessie.
I'm going to go with paneled shutters. Also going to get those pediments for over the windows. These changes will have to go slow (pocketbook) because I have to save and pay cash for my next car (dave ramsey method).
Tir, I forget not everyone lives in the same home for 41 years. Didn't intend to when we first came here. Just never found a reason to leave. Everything has always been for our own pleasure....never thinking about another tenant.
Tir, I think red doors can be formal as an accent color. I'm seeing it transforming into a bit more eclectic style. You already have a warm tone brick, the reason green was used in the first place is to complement it. The red door on warm brick in addition to red mulch, red myrtle, red flowers may be a bit overwhelming.
I think it would be best to consider carefully editing some of the red. If you take 8 color swatches of different shades of red your eyes are only going to pick up on one of the shades as a true red, the others will look purplish to orange. Just something to consider. Please keep the red, I think it will look fantastic, maybe just focus in on what's the most important focal point to you instead of the entire yard.
On the flip side of my own statement. You can saturate the entire yard and house with warm red tones, but your eyes will train themselves upon orange, yellows and whites in the garden. And those colors will become the focal point, muting your red.
Gessiegail, what street did your cousin live on? I grew up on Palmetto street.
lou, we would LOVE to have one of those "forever" homes, but til it's in the country (when we can afford a nice sized land with house what we're used to, we never plan on being somewhere long. we're on an 8 year plan here.
Good morning, Tir....and all.
One nice thing about paint....it is not permanent. Currently my door is black. I have had muted red. Sophiticated green. cranberry. can't remember what all. Some stayed for years. others for a season as it didn't quite fit.........I also move the furniture all the time.
LOL Lou! I had a friend whom every month I'd go to her home her furniture was ALWAYS rearranged! My home (with windows/doors) doesn't allow for many different layouts but I enjoy a new look to.
I've only recently noticed many black front doors and wow I think it looks awesome! Do you have a pic to share?
Will try to get that done later today. My husband of 46+ years has always said he would need to turn the light on before he came back to bed if he were to get up in the night because I might have moved the bed. Keeps life from being boring. One of my absolute favorites is Mary Engelbrite. I have her books and magazines and anything else I can find. She is worse than I am. One of the books is of her present home.....she changes houses pretty often as well.......there is a picture of her great room with three different looks.....all with the same furniture. If I only had her talent.....just this other quirk.
i've read that book!
I like the green door and green shutters. The more I think about it, a brick walk up would look great, sort of like a continuation of the house into the landscape. Enlarging the landing area (threshold) is an awesome idea (difficult diy, but doable). Would make the house look even bigger. You would have sort of a front patio area for seating/water feature/whatever you like.
hmmmm yes yes thinking on this....good idea collin!
Here's my mansion on the hill. You asked for it.
