Small seasonal cottage needs curb appeal updates.
jule4
6 years ago
I have a very small cottage in Rhode Island (2 bedroom, one bathroom) that is about 1700 feet from the ocean. It does not have heat and we close it up for the winter. It is on a double lot, but it is considered a "tear down". We would like to add some curb appeal to the structure, but not with an extravagant budget, as one day we may build something in its place. Any ideas would be much appreciated. Thank you!
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PROYardvaark
6 years agojule4
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Curb Appeal Plantings for 3b Victorian Cottage
Comments (10)ideasshare - Junipers will do well on my property. Thank you. deuluthinbloomz - I'm not sure what was intended with the rock. It didn't really look like jor function as a dry creek, but that's what I'm turning it into because we do have a water problem. Our neighbourhood was built on a series of underground springs and bogs that were filled in -- how sad -- and our sump pump runs constantly, draining to the front of the house. The upside is that we NEVER have to water that teeny patch of lawn, but sometimes it does get too wet. I have researched what a dry creek SHOULD look like and have already started on it. The sump pipe will spill into the dry creek and flow to the street. tanowicki - We do not have a separate walkway, just the driveway. I think I'll remove the extension on the driveway (on the right) to soften the look, but that will not impact on anyone getting to our front door. reyesuela - The stairs will get risers. There's lots of valuable space under them that I'd like to use for storage once its made invisible. I agree with your tip to go with 1/2 evergreens. The yard does look dead and naked most of the year. I guess that's why many folks use fake plants on their porches. ...Pam...See MoreNeed curb appeal help on small lake house!!
Comments (35)One other thing, as far as plantings go, eventually you need to identify what the trees and shrubs are on your property. That's key to deciding what to plant around them, and how to care for them to keep them looking their best. For example, if one of your trees has a wide, shallow root system, that is going to determine what can grow under it and how to plant it. Some plants express toxins from their roots or leaves that inhibit the growth of other plants around them, etc. You may never get lush growth, depending on what the trees are. Something to think about as you progress. I wouldn't repaint the house, save the money for more significant improvements, and I'm wondering if you have vinyl siding which would make that problematic anyway. Landscaping is artfully solving problems, which to me looks like you need a stoop and as long as you're at it, some type of awning or extension of the roof to cover the stoop so that when folks knock on your door when it is raining they're not standing in front of where all the water is going to run down off the roof! It looks like you have a groovy walkway already no? After that, I also second the suggestion for a little picket fence to visually block off your lake side from weekend gawkers driving around the lake. Not necessary but would be nice. Doll it up with plantings if you like. I am totally jealous, I would love a little place like that. One quickie suggestion, to add color and contrast to your hosta beds out front, try astilbe, or various ferns, and various types of heuchera. The classic combos. Also European solomon's seal and lilly of the valley for spring scent. Sweet woodruff makes a good groundcover in shade, as does vinca, the old standby, or ajuga. For spring color, jacob's ladder or virginia bluebells or some type of wild geranium or phlox. Throw in some turtlehead and bottle gentian for summer and fall blooming. Keep it simple, don't plant all of these, they are just suggestions of easy to grow shade garden plants. You want to enjoy your time at the lake and if you don't love to garden you want low maintenance. I'm not sure if they'll grow well in your zone, but azaleas and rugosa roses are classic landscape shrubs. Any of the viburnums would give you beautiful white blooms and low maintenance UNLESS you have a deer issue. If so, they can be grown but need protection. But if your hostas are still alive, the deer may be under control already....See MoreNeed curb appeal update!
Comments (14)Because it is recessed, the front door will be limited in its brightness. Don't set yourself up for disappointment, hoping that a new color will be magic. Lighter paint on the front door will, of course, be brighter. The screen door is contributing to the issue. If you don't use it, consider removal. If you enjoy the air, a full view screen door with modern near-invisible screening would help. The house is really pretty and contemporary looking. The white fencing doesn't seem modern enough and makes the house look darker. I would remove it. If you really like it, think about a dark paint color for it. I would also consider relocating the first shrub on either side of the walkway and finding a pair of spectacular planters in a substantial size. Large seasonal displays can be very dramatic and a lot of fun to change out periodically. Best wishes for a smooth reno....See MoreBrick cottage needs curb appeal help!
Comments (35)The bushes do not need to just be pruned down. They need to be pared down such that they do not look like a freighter ready to steam off toward the left. And end undercutting so lower foliage could be kept. They could be dome, not a ball. It could be difficult to recreate into a nice form without a hole or scar as some at left side need to be entirely removed. "I plan landscaping the sides of the sidewalk with something low maintenance." Well, that in and of itself is not a low maintenance idea. At this point we don't know what the "something" is, but if it has much of any height, it's going to make the entry experience substantially less appealing, and the drive by experience less appetizing. Lining the walk with Liriope would be an example of adding negativity. It would be creating a raised edge that shrinks the apparent walk size and divides it from the larger path (lawn) with a trip hazard....See More
smitrovich
6 years ago- PRO
Yardvaark
6 years agoThe good news is that some of the interest you could add is created with plants, so therefore, relatively inexpensive in the big scheme of things.
Window boxes have great potential for holding sumptuous flower "arrangements." However, not the window boxes you have; they are just too shallow so not enough room for roots to do well. Make some larger boxes and hang them a bit lower so that when plants grow, they don't swamp the windows.
I would simplify the planting scheme, consequently making it visually stronger. The alternating scheme, plus additional varieties of plants makes it look busy and cluttered. Fewer, larger things arranged according to house features will read better from the road. The bed around the house needs greater front-to-back depth. (5'-6')
If there was a small tree off the side/corner of the house, it would give the house a sense of feeling protected and "knit" better into the surrounding landscape. I can't say that the view in this picture and my lack of knowledge about the surroundings produced the greatest placement for a small tree, but I think it is enough to give you the general idea.
One way you could make it look much more welcoming is to create a landing at the bottom of the steps. (Or greatly enlarge what you have there now.)
- PRO
Yardvaark
6 years ago smitrovich
6 years agojule4
6 years ago- PRO
Yardvaark
6 years ago
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