Blank slate and new style...need HELP please!

11 years ago

I recently lost my 2 story colonial to a tornado and now have a brand new ranch home. It took 17 years to finally get the front yard gardens perfect before and now I am faced with a big, empty, very rocky area to beautify again. I am at a loss where to even begin. I lean towards "cottage garden", but don't know how to incorporate it with this style house. I would love to add 1 or 2 small flowering trees since they were all wiped out. I live on a Main St in a very rural area where most are older 2 story homes that have plain lanscapes. There aren't any landscapers/nurseries nearby to get ideas from either. The front will soon have a small porch, so the doorway will be dressed up more than it is now. The house faces west, and gets 5-6 hours of sun each day. I am open to any and all suggestions. THANKS!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

PRO
Yardvaark
11 years ago
Could we agree that, in the picture, the house lacks a nestled in look? Though the background certainly helps, there are no plants "framing" it at its sides and no plants of size interrupting the expanse of roof and house face. Likewise, there are no street trees providing shelter, framing and a sense of protection from the street view. it would be good to resolve these landscape considerations before moving on into cottage gardening as a panacea for the landscape. Here's some suggestions in pictorial form. I'd leave the view to the entrance somewhat open. You could start minimal with garden beds and expand them as you have will and resources (to the point where you run out of space!)
snackie
Original Author
11 years ago
Yardvaark...I love it! This is the general look I have been trying to achieve. I love trees and I had many throughout my property before they were ripped up and thrown, ultimately destroying my previous home.I would like to use smaller ones with some color. Dogwood or something similar is probably a good start.
I would like to edge the property line to the right with something soft instead of fence. I am not sure whether to go with privet hedges or possibly Rose of Sharon.
Thank you for the drawing (I couldn't seem to figure out the 3d design tools to save my life), and I am still open to suggestions if you have them.
Thanks again!!
Related Discussions
Please help with 'blank slate' layout
Q
Comments (12)
SummerfieldDesigns, thanks for the plan! Wow! It looks lovely and makes me excited to have a real plan, although it's just an idea, still. I'm not sure about the switch of the butler's pantry and mudroom. I was thinking of the mudroom as more "utilitarian" while the butler's pantry would be more of a "pretty" space. So now my kids will have to pass through pretty to get to the utilitarian part--not sure about that :) But I DO like ow you opened it for easier access to the powder room, which was suggested by a PP. As for the kitchen layout, I will take a closer look. Not sure about the fridge's placement (I'm assuming those are the fridge freezer towers?) I'm still on the fence about a prep sink at all. I've never had one, nor does ANYONE I know, so it's hard for me to see the benefit. Yes, I've read ll about them here on GW :) As for space usage, I think my kids will come in and out from playing through the back of the house somehow, more so than from the side (mudroom) entrance. That will be the get home spot, but the playing will be done in the big backyard, for the most part. scrapbookheaven, I do love the idea of bigger windows to the back.. Right now in my current house, I have huge windows to my backyard from every room , and I just love it! I love being able to see the kids playing, and all the light it allows in! That back wall of my house will be south facing, though, so the sunlight could get to be too much? What do you think? cj47, thanks for sharing! Yes, one thing I've learned on GW is base drawers all around :) I WILL do that for sure, just not sure how to change the program I am using to all drawers instead of cabinets. SO I've left it for now, to block out the space itself. And 16 " overhang--good call! I also like how your other 2 stools are on the lower side of your island, not in the sink aisle. But I DO like in jbrodie's kitchen how that entrance end of her island is a bit raised, to hide clutter (which I have too much of, I'm afraid!) But having stools on 2 sides seems more conversation-friendly that all lined up on one side.... oh, so much to think about :) thanks for any and all suggestions, ideas, feedback. so many great minds here...
...See More
Need help with landscaping a new home - blank slate yard
Q
Comments (10)
Congratulations on building your new home. Based on our experience here are a few things you should look into: 1) Whether your shed (accessory building) is allowed in your zoning code. 2) The maximum sq ft of the accessory building that is allowed. 3) How far does it need to be setback from your property line. This varies between municipalities. 4) Make sure your Crabapple tree (Malus spp). is going to do well in your plant hardiness zone. http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ 5) Regarding the shrubs, in our planting designs we try to only specify plants that are native to the state and region, because of reduced irrigation and maintenance needs. In looking at your pictures, we think that the swale should be usable space for recreation and repose. The trees can be located near the deck for privacy purposes; we recommend planting mature trees (large gallon size) because of higher survivability rates. If you are using the Crabapple tree for privacy, take into account that their canopy range is between 10'-25' diameter depending on the species. Also keep in mind that Crabapple is deciduous, which means you may want to consider a mix of deciduous and coniferous (evergreen). Lastly, we think you should cluster your plantings along the edges of the sides of the property (not in front of the swale); this would make your back yard look bigger. Good luck with the improvements and please post pictures when your done! -DR, Landscape Designer
...See More
Please help me decorate apartment. Blank slate
Q
Comments (4)
I love what you've chosen. My only concern is that the overall effect could be a bit cold without some wood or warmer tones (gold? brass?) to balance all the puple/blue and chrome. [https://www.houzz.com/products/glam-dining-table-prvw-vr~78853891[(https://www.houzz.com/products/glam-dining-table-prvw-vr~78853891) http://www.modernfurniturecanada.ca/fan-dining-table-chrome-p-34841.html http://stores.advancedinteriordesigns.com/ross-round-coffee-table-white-lacquer/ https://www.pamono.com/round-glass-and-chrome-coffee-table-from-pieff-1960s http://brickellcollection.com/product/concrete-chrome-coffee-table/ https://www.decorpad.com/bookmark.htm?bookmarkId=54434 I love these, but they are vintage (and everything similar I could find was also vintage). Also the wrong color, but I love the style. These are either Milo Braughman or in his style. https://www.pamono.com/french-chrome-bar-stools-by-maison-jansen-1980s-set-of-2-1
...See More
Blank slate office...need help/ideas please :)
Q
Comments (4)
Here's what I might try: Obtain a L-shaped desk with a right-hand return. Position the return along the window wall to the right of the window. The desk extends away from the window wall towards the closet (when sitting at the desk you look to your right to look out the window). Allow some space between the return and the adjacent walls to eliminate the impression that the furniture is jammed into the corner of the room. Check if the "cable box" can be mounted vertically. If so, attach a piece of painted wood to the window wall and hang the cable box on it. You don't want to set the cable box on the desk. Unless the computer is enormous, obtain a bracket and hang the computer underneath the return. Position the computer so you will not bump with your knees it when sitting at the return or desk, or switching between them. Attach cable guides to the underside of the desk and return to keep wires off the floor. Optionally attach a keyboard tray underneath the return. Obtain a table for the printer and position it under the window to avoid putting the printer on the desk. If the printer must go on the desk, put it in the corner near the window. If there's space, put some shelves along the wall between the window and the closet. If not, hang some shelves or cabinets over the return to the right of the window. Optionally change the closet door to a folding door so it doesn't project so much into the room. If there's space above the safe, attach some shelves or cabinets there. -- amateur
...See More
PRO
Yardvaark
11 years ago
"I couldn't seem to figure out the 3d design tools...""3D?" I know not of what "tools" you speak.

"I would like to edge the property line to the right with something soft instead of fence. I am not sure whether to go with privet hedges or possibly Rose of Sharon. " Common or variegated privet both grow very large. With them, you'd either be building in a hefty, ongoing maintenance chore, or allowing them to "eat up" a large portion of the yard. I don't now live where rose of sharon grows so am not up on any improvements that might have been made. Unless there are notable improvements, I can't imagine rose of sharon as a "best choice" for your hedge. It might make a better small tree. At what height are you expecting the hedge to be maintained?

Dogwoods might work well for the larger trees in the picture, but the smaller trees near the house would be better made from plants that grow no taller than mid-teens feet height, such as common lilac or burning bush, for example.
robyn_tx
11 years ago
I am so sorry you lost your beloved home and gardens. I can not imagine such a loss after years of building your home and your dreamscape.

What yardvaark has drawn is lovely ... albeit a pretty ambitious plan. Do you plan to stay in this house for an extended time? Do you plan to sit out front and enjoy passersby ... or will you spend more time out back with friends and family? What is your budget?

If I were in your shoes, I would step back this year and think about how you want to use your new space and how long your family will make this their home. If this is a long-term home for you, spend this year planning hardscape (like Yardvaark's vision for front walkway, front beds) and consider trees. Since the house is west-facing, I would consider appropriate use of shade trees to give you some relief from summer sun.

If this home is more short-term until you possibly build again, then I would focus on the lawn and front door/porch beauty and some small flowering trees to frame each end of the house.

Blank slate and new style...need HELP please!

Comments (4)

Yardvaark

snackie
Original Author

Related Discussions

Yardvaark

robyn_tx

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Blank slate and new style...need HELP please!

Comments (4)

Yardvaark

snackieOriginal Author

Related Discussions

Yardvaark

robyn_tx

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

snackie
Original Author