Update on My Big Landscape Design Project - Finally a Private and Useable Outdoor Space!

 

At long last, I have an update on my crazy landscape design project.  If you haven't been following this project - I have a Victorian home was built in the 1880's.  It sits on a quarter acre of land, the majority of which had a steep slope and was not useable.  The only space we had to sit outside was our front porch.  The porch is really not private and I like to sit outside and enjoy nature - not watch cars and neighbors go by.  We also did not have anywhere to entertain outside.  This new area is private on three sides!  I am thrilled with it.  It met all my expectations.

We are fortunate that our neighbor has a commercial landscape contracting business and offered to do our residential project.  He has great experience on building retaining walls and doing things the right way so they drain correctly and last.  Based on the slope of the yard, we had to do a five foot above the ground retaining wall.  We fenced in the new area with a lovely white picket fence.  We also did a two foot high upper wall for our patio area, leveled it out and filled it with rice stone.  We put sod in the lower area.  I love the lush look of the green grass!  So cozy and private!

This project took about two months total to complete.  I'm just thankful that there are still a few weeks of decent weather so I can enjoy it before it gets too cold here in New England.  Although, I can picture sitting out here in the fall with a hot cup of cocoa and a gas fire place to warm us up.



A before photo of the area taken many years ago...

The new space!  We kept some of the Rhododendrons for privacy.  They make a great natural screen.

We had to do a lot of digging and leveling in this upper space.  We exposed some of the foundation bricks that needed repointing.  My husband repointed the bricks and I painted this new silver color that goes with the house (much better than the old bright red color - yuck).



We have a lovely lattice screen that will be going on the back up the upper patio to cover the ugly basement window.  My husband has put it together and now we just have to paint and install it.

This is an antique porch swing I restored that was in my barn for over 10 years.  I purchased the swing frame online and put it together.  The lake is down the hill behind those trees.  We get a great lake view after the leaves fall.  We're going to trim out some of them to try to get a little view during the summer months.

 

 These are the urns that I found at Brimfield Antique Fair this summer... 

 

LOVE! LOVE!  LOVE!

I planted boxwoods across the front of the upper patio area to separate the space.  I love the smell of them.  They make me think of an old estate.

It's so nice to swing and look up at the pretty old house.


 This was the upper patio area "before."  Overgrown and a totally useless space...

AFTER... much better! The house has a lot more curb appeal and this extra useable space will definitely help with resale in the future.


Here's an updated photo of the space!  I've been searching high and low for patio furniture to go into the upper patio area.  I finally found this set below for half price at Lowes!  Sometimes it pays to wait until the end of the season!  I'm going to be covering that ugly window behind the screen so it blends in with the foundation.  I was hoping the screen would cover it but it's come up a little short.

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing this project with me.  Hope you have a wonderful day and can find time to do the things that you enjoy!


Great parties that I'm linking with...
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
Thursday
Creative Things Thursday @ The Vintage Farmhouse
Inspiration Gallery Link Party @ The Golden Sycamore
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch To Yours 
The Humble Brag Link Party @ One Project Closer/The Better Half
Paint Party @ Start at Home
Throwback Thrusday @ Glitter Glue and Paint
Create It Thursday @ Lamberts Lately Show Me Extraordinary Thursday Party @ The 36th Avenue
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage
100 Ideas Under $100 @ Beyond The Picket Fence
Creative Things Thursday @ The Vintage Farmhouse
Blog Stalking Thursday @ The Crafty Blog Stalker
The Weekly Creative Saturday Party @ The Girl Creative and Reasons To Skip The Housework
Friday
Fabulously Creative Linky Party @ Jennifer Rizzo
Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous
TGIF Linky Party @ A Peek Into My Paradise  

Saturday
Any Link Goes Party @ Bacon Time With The Hungry Hungry Hypo 
Weekend WrapUp Party @ Tatertots and Jello 
Serenity Saturday @ Serenity You
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal
What To Do Weekends @ Crafts A La Mode
Sunday
Get Schooled Saturday @ Too Much Time On My Hands
Overflowing with Creativity @ It's Overflowing
Sunday Showcase Party @ By Stephanie Lynn 
Sundae Scoop Weekend Wrap Up Party @ I love Nap Time 
That DIY Party @ DIY Show Off
So Darn Crafty Party @ Sew Many Ways
Think Pink Party @ Flamingo Toes
Let's Get Social Sunday @ My Turn for us 
Sunday Show Off Linky Party @ Twigg Studios
DIY Sunday Showcase Linky Party @ VMG206
Get your DIY on Fall Party Challenge @ Confessions of a DIYer

DIY Paver Walkway Project Completed!

 

I'm so thrilled to share some photos of our completed paver walkway project.  This has been a LONG time coming.  My sweet husband did all the work himself between his work schedule and while the weather permitted.  The month of June was a bust. We had so much rain!  I patiently looked at my pallets of pavers sitting by the walkway for over a month before he could get to the project.  Well, it was totally worth the wait!



 

Here is a photo of what it looked like before.  I shudder to think about it...  We had just replaced all the rotted porch decking and supports. This was before we painted and brought out some of the trim details on the house.  The poor old house looked so sad :-( 



But it's happy now!

 

  

I'll be posting the information on how my husband built these walkways in another post.  It is back breaking work but it can be done and it saves a TON of money!  I'm so thankful that my husband could do this project.  It really changes the entire curb appeal of the house.

 

If you are interested in more about the background of this project check out these posts:

 

New Walkway Project - a perfect way to ruin a long holiday weekend

 

Walk this way... DIY Paver Walkway

 

 

 Show Me Extraordinary Thursday Party @ The 36th Avenue

 http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/ 



Friday
Fabulously Creative Linky Party @ Jennifer Rizzo
Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous
TGIF Linky Party @ A Peek Into My Paradise  

Saturday
Any Link Goes Party @ Bacon Time With The Hungry Hungry Hypo 
Weekend WrapUp Party @ Tatertots and Jello 
Serenity Saturday @ Serenity You
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal
What To Do Weekends @ Crafts A La Mode
Sunday
Get Schooled Saturday @ Too Much Time On My Hands
Overflowing with Creativity @ It's Overflowing Sunday Showcase Party @ By Stephanie Lynn 
Sundae Scoop Weekend Wrap Up Party @ I love Nap Time 
That DIY Party @ DIY Show Off
So Darn Crafty Party @ Sew Many Ways
Think Pink Party @ Flamingo Toes
Let's Get Social Sunday @ My Turn for us  Sunday Show Off Linky Party @ Twigg Studios
DIY Sunday Showcase Linky Party @ VMG206
Get your DIY on Fall Party Challenge @ Confessions of a DIYer

Wallpaper Wednesday - Chinoiserie Wallpaper in Grey Gardens Style

Hello!  Happy Wednesday! 

I am so in love with Chinoiserie!  It first caught my attention when I was watching the 2009 HBO film "Grey Gardens" starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange.  It was based on the 1975 documentary film by Albert and David Maysles based on the life stories of a mother and daughter both named Edith Bouvier Beale but known as "Big and Little Edie."   After a rough period they become reclusive and would not leave their Long Island Summer Home, "Grey Gardens."  Big Edie was the Aunt of Jackie Onassis. 

If you haven't seen "Grey Gardens," I do recommend it.  It can be a tough film to watch as the two women deteriorate along with their beautiful "Grey Gardens."  Not only will you see the decorating eye candy but you will get to witness the great sense of personal style of Little Edie, socialite, former fashion model and cabaret performer.  She was very creative and came up with some stunning and sometimes quirky outfits.  She has had quite an influence on style and is considered a fashion visionary and style icon.

"Grey Gardens" itself was such a gorgeous property.  When I saw the 2009 film my jaw dropped at the decorating.  Please enjoy some of my favorite photos from the film.   You have to give a lot of credit to the set and wardrobe designers.  They did a fantastic job capturing the time period and the graciousness of the home and the personalities of Big and Little Edie.

Click this for movie info on "Grey Gardens"

 Big Edie's Bedroom

 

Love - love - love this hand painted Chinoiserie Wallpaper!

Dining Room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Exterior of Grey Gardens

Movie versions of Big and Little Edie looking fabulous during the good times...

Thanks for sharing in my love of beautiful wallpaper! 

 

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Have a wonderful day!

How to Plan Your Garden Landscape Design - Plant Selection

Hello!  I'm so happy to share our updates on our big landscaping project.  We've selected our plantings for the front of the retaining wall and have laid everything out in the space.  I'm also providing some "How-to" information on selecting plants and laying out your garden landscape.

Determine your style

You'll need to take the style of your home and type of garden into consideration when choosing plants.   Formal and traditional gardens have very different plantings than country or cottage gardens.  Do some research  and look through gardening magazines and Pinterest for inspiration photos.  You will probably find a common theme in the photos you like.

If you like traditional gardens, I have a post on how to create one that you may find helpful:  How to Design a Traditional Garden Landscape on a Small Budget

How to decide what to plant in your landscape

Once you've determined your style, you then have to consider the following factors.  A good local nursery can help you answer the questions on soil type and planting zone.

• Amount of sunlight.  If you have heavy shade this will limit your choices greatly.
• Space for planting
• Soil Type - what nutrients may be required
• Budget
• Maintenance Comfort Level
• Your Planting Zone - see image below

USDA PLANTING ZONE MAP

I had to take all these factors under consideration when planning my landscaping project.  We have an antique Victorian home so our garden style is traditional.  The area we are planting is partly shady.  It gets some morning and afternoon sun.  We are in Zone 5 so we need plants that can tolerate a long and cold winter.  My largest planting area is in front of a retaining wall which is under a large Oak tree.  It's a big area to fill with a limited budget.  My goal is to soften this area so you see less of the wall.  We've added some good topsoil to amend the sandy and rocky area around the wall.

The plants we've selected can handle our partly shady area and work well in a traditional style garden.  I also want a low maintenance landscape with some blooms that stays within my budget.

4 medium sized Dwarf Alberta Spruce
3 "Blushing Bride" Hydrangea bushes
1 White Hydrangea Tree (for the area that gets the most sun)
5 medium sized Hosta

Choosing the layout - basic layout

You'll save a lot of money planning the layout and planting everything yourself. 

Basic layout of my plants and shrubs:  tallest in the back - so my Spruces are against the wall.  The Hydrangea bushes are in the center front of the spruces and the Hosta are spaced evening along the front.   My white hydrangea tree (not seen in these photos) is in front of the hard edge of the wall to soften that area and make it less noticeable.




Don't forget to mulch and water, water, water until your plants get established.

Please stop back next week for more updates on this project.

Have a wonderful day!

Wallpaper Wednesday - Foyer and Hallway Wallpapers

Welcome back to Wallpaper Wednesday.  This week we are getting inspired to wallpaper our entryways and hallways.  This area of the home is one of the most difficult to decorate because it links the rest of the areas of the home together.  We need to this area to flow well with the rest of the house.  It is also the best area to make a great first impression and WOW your visitors with your great sense of style!

Please enjoy some inspiration for this week...

Calm and Neutral: 



www.housetohome.co.uk

 Love this monochromatic Parisian style hallway.  It is so warm and inviting and makes me want to see the rest of the house!  The wallpaper is not overdone and fits well with the style of the home and furnishings.

Chenonceau - Sage Schumacher Wallpaper Sch 5004120. 
This would be lovely in an entryway.

These two tone on tone beige damask wallpapers are definitely my style.  This look is great when you want to add some texture and interest but still keep the look understated and neutral.

 

        Photo - House Beautiful 

 

This pale yellow and tan combo is likely hand painted but you can buy wallpapers that look very similar.

 

     Neutral geometric wallpaper.

Grass cloth is always a wonderful choice.  It is so versatile.  It looks great in a traditional home as well as a modern one.

 

 The WOW Factor

 Photo

This navy and white wallpaper combination looks great with the picture frame wainscoting and beautiful moldings.

 

Some more bold choices:

 

              

Pinterest - Black and Tan                           House Beautiful - Black and White Stripe

                                        

Pinterest - Black and white floral             Yellow Wallpaper: The Vase by David Hicks

                                                                                          for Clarence House 









Photo - Better Homes and Gardens

A more modern geometric wallpaper. Love the color combination of green, white and black. 

Photo – lovehome.co.uk - A very bold choice but it works!

 

 

The sky is the limit with wallpaper.  Have fun with it!

 

 

If you've enjoyed this post please subscribe to my page, leave a comment or pass this along to a friend.

Have a wonderful day!