Starting/Creating a Cottage Garden
Carolina Girl (Zone 8b)
7 years ago
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jnavarro31
7 years agoNHBabs z4b-5a NH
7 years agoRelated Discussions
How did you start your Cottage Garden?
Comments (24)Moved here last year to a nearly flat rural acre - 4 oaks trees, a pecan tree and a pine & 66,000 ant hills. As a designer, I have to study the way the sun moves - where it's too hot- etc.: that determines priorities. The front is west facing - so up went the chaste tree... No path from the drive to the door- there was an opportunity. It's divide and conquer- And of course, the beauty factor starts its' demands. I had a sense of urgency the first spring to get those plants going due to having to wait a few seasons for a mature look. They don't plant themselves ! Having parties does wonders for kick starting a design plan. Your guests would be mortified if your garden wasn't at least underway ! I love beautiful color combos that repeat - So I start there: Silver, chartreuse, black, and deep green, purple/ blue; with pops of yellow & red. Front borders go from shade to hell hot. So- the fun part is finding balance in those colors in plants that will work on the shaded side and their corresponding counterparts for the dry hot side that also bloom or show out the same time- For instance - Plumbago - Endless summer hydrangea. Anise hyssop- June Fever hosta - I'm several years from my shaggy garden look that I'm so fond of- but it really helps to be compulsive, impatient & that there's a marvelous growers outlet nearby. :)...See MoreStart of a cottage garden-need advice please!
Comments (11)Lovely gardens, both Kathy's and Libby's! Derrick, you are at the really fun part of making a cottage garden and that is the planning part. I suggest you look at lots of pics and gardening sites, books, as well as seed catalogues, and make a list of your fav plants. The ones that are easy to grow from seed should be started first and others can be purchased as you find them. Curving beds, various plant heights in undulating waves, and whatever colors you choose will make your garden cottage style as well as your personal statement. Make a drawing to scale of your yard if you are so inclined. It will help you to remember what you have planted from year to year and also where you might add other plants. A birdfeeder and bath will bring those garden helpers in. A nice place to sit and enjoy your work is always nice. Oh, and my personal garden essential, I hope you have or will start a compost!...See MoreCheapest way to create a kitchenette/wet bar in cottage space?
Comments (12)I agree with Carolina K&B. It looks as if you can extend the cabinets out to standard 24" depth. After the prep work, I'd go to Lowe's or HD, get an unfinished sink cabinet, 24" wide, which you can paint or stain. Use an inexpensive 18" undermount sink, with a remnant from a stone yard, or use a sealed wood top. Leave space for a 24" fridge. Order a pull-out filler from Amazon (or from whatever supplier has the best price), and use a piece of 3/4 board for the front panel, painted or stained to match the cabinet. Size a shelf to fit a small MW, and get the upper cabinet that matches the sink base. Paint or stain the same, or mix it up for a cottage-y look. Buy a wine cubby insert for one side of the sink cabinet, and a trash pull-out for the other. Hack the toe kick for extra storage, or have the cabinets custom made by a local cabinet maker. Without the MW, fridge, and coffee maker, it's not a kitchenette, it's just a place where the artist stores his canvases and cleans his brushes. 6" Rev-a-Shelf pull-out at Lowe's 12" Trash pull-out at Lowe's 23" wide mini-fridge at Amazon, SS 20" wide mini-fridge at Amazon, but ... Oh my gosh, how cute is this? And check out the MW that matches it!...See MorePlease help me create the cottage of my dreams
Comments (22)We haven't talked about the kitchen. Currently you have 2 paint colours in there and it doesn't seem to me that either is doing any favours for the space. If you are going to paint the rest of the living/dining area white or offwhite, then paint the kitchen that colour too. The previous owner has put that rusty colour on at least one wall (maybe more walls that we can't see in the photo? Do you like a contrasting wall? If so, I'd choose another colour, maybe a green or taupey colour from the fireplace would be nice. In the living room, I think I would definitely move some of the furniture, like extra chairs out. Those plaid throws look nice too, but maybe there is a spot in a bedroom for them. I'd look for a TV stand that has some height as well as storage. Then you have room to store cottagey things like decks of playing cards, board games, jigsaw puzzles, extra books, DVDs etc. If budget is a concern I'd look at Ikea for that. If you have a healthier budget, have a look at Pottery Barn as they have many component sets that would likely work well in your space. Maybe you could put some of the components on either side of the fireplace. A narrow tall tower to the left of the fire and a wider console and tower on the right and the TV can be mounted on the wall above it. Here are some photos but they have many other choices of colours and components that might work well in your space....See MoreCarolina Girl (Zone 8b)
7 years agoNHBabs z4b-5a NH
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agogardenweed_z6a
7 years agoLilyfinch z9a Murrieta Ca
7 years agogardenstateblossom (NJ 6b)
7 years agoLavender Lass
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agogardenweed_z6a
7 years agoNHBabs z4b-5a NH
7 years agocziga
7 years ago
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Carolina Girl (Zone 8b)Original Author