YES! Limbing up is exactly what I'm looking for. We're having some horribly expensive brickwork done next summer and the house will be looking even spiffier (blew our minimal budget on leveling the foundation this summer), but even with the somewhat wonky brickwork it's still a pretty house and deserves to be seen from the road. After taking down the chainlink I was so happy when we pulled into the driveway and saw the front of the house. I didn't realize how much that fence was detracting from the curb appeal. I also remembered the little brick ledges on the house under the windows. I think they're intended for flower pots, at least that's what my neighbor uses hers for. I will definitely be doing that. Question: almost all houses in my neighborhood only have rectangular flower beds in front. I figured it was an era thing. Should I still go for a lima bean shape? I'm going to drive with my friend through similar-era neighborhoods in Houston and take pictures of front gardens for inspiration. (I live on the east side near U of H, but the Heights, River Oaks, Eastwood, West University and other (much more upscale) neighborhoods were all built with brick bungalows in the 1930s.) Thanks to all of you all for your advice! You've def got the ball rolling in my head.

that's just a drop in the bucket... I sincerely appreciate that you say 'treasure trove' and I do love all my 'acquisitions' it's taken me some time to gather things that I knew would go somewhere in the yard. that's just it..I have so much more and so little energy to keep up with my ideas. it's also what's gotten me in trouble with the county. it's not even the county..it's the neighbor, who has complained of too much junk..so, by law, the county has to investigate the complaint. I got a 'rambo' enforcement officer, who has no idea or tolerance for non traditional collections of garden junk. in fact, he'd never even heard the term 'garden junk' before I was talking about it. he follows up on acreage with junk vehicles, illegal dumping of oil and other things that are environmentally injurious. but, he got to be on good speaking terms and later on phone calls to the neighbors. so, if they don't like something, they simply give him a quick phone call. it's been going on for months. but you know, I've come to the realization that life is way too short to die over this type of trouble. I already have the stuff..it's both in my yard and a lot in storage. it's not even the first day of summer yet and I have grandsons who would love to come over and slap some paint on boards, or pallets to make into things..or even if I can get in touch with my garden junk neighbor, I bet she and I could have a mess of fun, getting into muddy messes, or cement, or whatever... he more or less came from behind and hit me behind the knees but I'm only down for a while. I'll be back up and loaded for bear one day soon. the weather has been such that it's not made a huge difference in plants..it rains enough that I haven't had to go out and water things..that's a good thing. one thing that has put a spark back in my mindset is that website of the lady with all the stacked pots, all around her yard with the succulents..tho I can't grow that type of plants here in the northwest.. but good grief, that's exactly the epitome of what I have wanted all along.. who was that...Edna?... it was amazing and I was looking at that last night, around midnight..I was so mentally captured by it all, I nearly wanted to go outside in the yard, right then...lol time will be right, I'll be fine, I just need to heal a bit and then, I may have to tape stickers onto certain things, to keep track of the different projects that need attention. with school out, the little boys are 6 and 9 and will be spending a lot of time over here, for fun..I've had them mosaic rocks in the past and they loved that. I think they're old enough to help me make a good difference around here. larger rocks would be really pretty around the yard in planers or labeling plants on the ground....

This is a small one--but I guess you could just use larger pots. Have fun. Here is a link that might be useful: Pot Person

I paint my plantpots with acrylic paints & then add cut outs from fancy paper napkins. 1.Use a clean pot,then paint with acrylic paint.Dry thoroughly 2.Having cut out your chosen pattern from a paper napkin,peel off the backing so you only have a 1 ply paper. 3.Stick on the pot with acrylic glue,then leave to dry. 4.If using pot indoors 1 coat of varnish is adequate,if using outdoors use a good outdoor varnish spray & give 2-3 coats. I have pots all over my Spanish courtyard all decorated in this manner. Note:If you become quite good at this there is an alternative decoration application between stages 1 & 2.You can brush with a Crackle Medium (brush in one direction only with a well loaded brush.Leave to dry,then paint on top with a lighter colour than your base paint.I find cream is best. Leave to dry & your pot will have a very nice distressed appearance.Then you carry on with the other stages. Enjoy!!