paigect,
I have nothing to add but applause, applause, applause. I love your placement of 'Limelight' and your 'Styrax' (it took me a while to be able to see it). Your table is a real beauty that's also a great conversation piece I love when pieces marry so well. The addition of scent is something I always appreciate but rarely think of. I think by adding a people friendly garden room to the front of your home you have probably increased it's value and appeal greatly. kt

It looks terrific! What a great job. I want to see more pics in a couple of years when the styrax and hydrangea fill in, that is going to be gorgeous!

Wow! All your hard work really paid off. The area looks much larger than the 'before' picture. Well done!!!!

How about some pics from outside the fence?

Nice job, Paige! Don't you love it when everything finally comes together?

Sue

Sorry it took me so long to respond, it's been a long couple of days.

kt, I'm so happy with how the improvised table worked out. I love that the entire project (except for the stone dust and plants) was done with materials I had lying around, unused. And the Styrax is hard to see in the picture - - it appears as if it is sprouting out of the trunk of the truck for anyone who missed it.

Sienna, I can't wait for them to fill in! I just hope the Styrax makes it. Some of the leaves are curling a bit.

Treeskate, it was hard work. I'm proud of the fact that a relatively out-of-shape 35 y.o. woman pulled it off nearly single-handedly. I had help from a couple of female friends with laying the stones, so it's a 100% girl-power project (except for the guy who dumped the topsoil and stone dust in the driveway!). I will take some pics from outside the fence this weekend.

And Sue - - yes, it's great when it falls together! It's not finished yet. I still have to level and re-weed/mulch the area where the Limelight is. Then I've got another walkway leading from the patio to the drive that I filled with stone dust but haven't found the right stone for yet. That will probably wait until next year, sadly.

I love the patio at night especially, with the lanterns (just those OFF lanterns - - they work great!) and the string of lights on the fence lit. It's so peaceful.

The end result is beautiful. You certainly made better use of this space than your neighbors who have just grass to mow. I can picture sitting there with that morning cup of coffee. With the addition of potted plants, you can change the look with the seasons. This concept reminds me of the old front porch idea. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done!

Paige... wonderful garden! I especially love the fact that you took a little-used part of your yard (compared to your neighbors' lawns) and turned it into an inviting "room." I think that the potted plantings add to its charm. Your summer evenings must be wonderful.

Molie

Well I just wanted to say I think you've done a wonderful job. Having done all the hardscaping/landscaping here I KNOW what a lot of effort you've put in. I love that you put your seating area in the front yard, too. What a nice way to welcome people to your home.

We have stonedust paths here and there are a few places where the weeds can be a pain. Are you considering adding very low groundcovers to the areas in between the pavers? I think it could be a really nice "look", and if you choose wisely, it could smell really great, too.

Lovely kitty. I like that "everything here in mine" pose; that's Tiger? before or after his "cold"? (better get him inside and keep him there, ;) !)

Paige, it looks great! I'm glad after all your hard work you are enjoying it!

So, any further word on Martha? Did you ever find out anything else?

:)
Dee

I was laughing at the cat. Ever notice how they instantly make themselves at home in whatever new thing you build for them? I had a mattress delivered last week. The guys weren't even out of the driveway yet and both cats were making themselves comfy on the new bed. Patio looks very nice. Was the undergravel part a pain? I'm planning a patio project next year.

I posted earlier, but GW was having technical problems and I see my post got lost.

Bravo, paige! Nice job - the stone looks wonderful and the area now looks inviting and comfortable. I also love what it does for a neighborhood to have front-yard seating, or front porches that are actually used - it makes the whole street seem more friendly.

I also noticed the cat, and love this: make themselves at home in whatever new thing you build for them. They *do* seem to think that whatever you do, it's for them.

Super job! I just love it. I always have been drawn to small little intimate spaces and this is certainly one. Wait until the Styrax grows in, then you will have privacy and blooms on that side. I loved your idea about stringing lights around the fence. I keep wanting to string lights somewhere. Now you have my wheels turning. [g]

Wow, Paige!! Excellent job and great resourcefullness.

IMHO, Wherever Lavender is, is a good place for it. LOL Doesn't look crowded to me, at all. Just inviting and a good place to hang and relax.

I, too, was wondering about Martha. How can we help?

Martie

Thanks, everyone, for the responses AND for all of the help/suggestions along the way.

Chelone, I am considering adding some thyme or something as groundcover between stones. Can I plant it right in the stone dust, or must I add soil?

As for the kitty, that's Molly. All of my (3) cats take turns asserting their ownership over new things. They like to pretend they own things exclusive of the others, so they usually are not to be found in photos together. Here is Tiger (Chelone read about him in a post elsewhere):

He's mad because I wouldn't let him out in the rain.

Here are some pictures from outside the fence as requested by Treeskate. I could also use some help with a couple if things.

Yesterday I moved my Viburnum burkwoodii 'Mohawk' back several feet because it was not thriving where the runoff from the new patio bed was affecting it. So it's now in front of the window well and will hopefully disguise that for me. I popped a Buddleia in the space in between that and my Limelight. When the Limelight and Viburnum grow in I'll move the Buddleia. Here is the new area, finished last night:

I'm looking to fill in the mulched area with some kind of groundcover that won't be too invasive but will cut down on the need for weeding until the shrubs fill in. Any ideas? Oh, and don't mind the two different types of mulch - - that's what I get for shopping at two different nurseries!

For those of you wondering about Martha, you might be able to just make out her stones in the distant background of the first picture. I've moved them more times than I care to think about. No word yet from the people who are supposed to be working on it. . .

Here is a picture from the front. I could use some suggestions for what to plant in place of the pachysandra, which will (eventually) come out. To the left are some peonies and a clematis.

Any help much appreciated!

Paige, your home is really just so incredibly charming! It looks so warm and inviting, and you've done such a great job.

In my neck of the woods, farmland and woods is quickly giving way to huge, huge houses on tiny lots. While these houses may have lots of living space, from the outside they do nothing for me. I'd take a cape over them any day - which is good, lol, because that's what I have - a small cape, which is desperately in need of some inviting landscaping. You've given me not only ideas, but inspiration that it can be done. Thanks so much, and my sincere wishes for many, many enjoyable times in your house and on your beautiful new patio.

:)
Dee

Dee, what a nice post! I'm sure your landscaping is already fabulous. You've been gardening longer than me, after all!

Oh, and I forgot to say so over on the swap page, but I would love some of your columbines. :-)