tiny backyard privacy jeopardized by neighbor’s second story addition
mom3kids
4 years ago
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Yardvaark
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Second version floorplans (hopefully last)
Comments (29)Whoops, no, there is definitely a basement, we just forgot to put in a door there! Glad you caught that, thanks! Re: flipping, I do think I'm convinced, I just have to figure out how many windows to add to make it not look to barren. We will probably transplant some 8' pines or similarly tall trees on the side of the house during construction, so that will cover part of the house from that view... I love the idea of a chimney, but we won't need one if we do a direct gas fireplace, and having windows in the middle of the side wall will really limit furniture placement in those rooms (not to mention add additional cost). We will play around with it--if we flip the plan, we definitely need more windows there to not make it look weird. LL--I'm not sure about having the porch wrap around, simply because of the cost, but I will float the idea by my builder. That's probably an additional $5k or more... I wonder if it would need to extend along the full side of the house? Re: tight spaces for furniture. This is another situation where I've been in other houses with similar corners and turns that are even tighter, and they've been able to get in queen beds, large dressers, etc. It won't be easy, no doubt, but the occasional difficulty is worth it if the design otherwise works well for our family, it seems to me! We will probably want to make the windows smaller in the two back bedrooms, to allow at least enough room for a double bed between the wall and the window (and to save cost). Thanks!...See MoreTiny House Discouragement :(
Comments (40)Still thinking on a plan. My thoughts not stringing together so will just make a list. Concerns for erosion so would not want to break down your hill side. Concerns for the difficulty in mowing on the slope. I am assuming it is a push type mower and not riding. Will DH be upset with having to dodge trees? Wondering what is under the large rocks over the french drain? More rocks? A grate of sorts. Some sort of landscape cloth. Can not tell what is there but I think I can see something. I know you said the rocks do not need to be there. Some sort of zig zag path up towards the back fence but nothing that would come down directly at your house. Back to the erosion thing again. I am picturing planting pockets of trees and shrubs along a path going side to side across the yard. Just can not quite put it together. I know the experts always say to have a plan and follow it. I have never been able to do that other then an over all vision for basic and then embellish on that. I would love to see something like what Buddy rose did in her yard only across your yard and not up and down. How much work do you really want to spend in your yard on a weekly basis. That is a big consideration too. I totally love cottage gardens with no lawns. I have had them at several of our houses. Now I do not want to have to do that much work with all the weeding and dividing of the perennials replanting all the time. I even decided today to remove one flower bed I tried to do because it is too much work to take care of. Round up to the rescue. Then mulch and call it good. It too is up a hill and too steep to stand on easily and too hard to pull the weeds on my hands and back. Still thinking on this. Come on ML I am sure you have something good in mind. Chris...See MorePrivacy and Other Issues
Comments (146)demeron, Thanks for asking. We modified our flower bed along the fence line late in December and planted some camellias that should, in time, fill in and fill up the space between our houses. I actually feel like we need a softening layer between the edge border of annuals and bulbs - maybe hostas since we don't get a ton of sun over there. There's no way we can completely block our view, but at least we can minimize it. We just don't have space to really pack the area with plants without redoing the entire yard - which is an expense we don't want. We already had to repair our fence when the Christmas snow came barreling off their metal roof. Gotta love a $1000 insurance deductible! (not) And, we had to have the basement encapsulated to deal with the standing water and resulting fungus on our floor joists. To say this has been a difficult neighbor relationship would be an understatement, but not one professional - from the structural guy, to the guy who first dealt with a small water intrusion issue before we moved in, to the exterminator who has treated the house for *years* will stick their neck out and claim that the new house is causing us water issues. I am beyond frustrated. Thank goodness that i just love this house and the inside updates have been very fulfilling. In fact this morning I am working on my foyer accent wall. And the kitchen is *perfect* in all ways. I couldn't be happier with the result. Now, we just need to layer in accessories and the first floor living spaces will be exactly where I want them. Trouble is, you really can't rush that step of decorating. Takes time to find the right doo-dads....See MoreAdding some privacy to a very not-so-private back yard!
Comments (43)Ah, I see you're in Alabama; didn't catch that before. You must be at the southern edge of their range. In November we visited our daughter and son-in-law who had moved to Alabama in July, just south of Birmingham and I think I've seen enough crepe myrtle now to last the rest of my life. Nikko-O - Sherry is right about not trying to do it all at once. It's good to have an overall scheme in mind, and add according to that general scheme, knowing that you may have to make adjustments along the way. There are a couple of books you might look for in your local library: Native Plants of the Northeast by Donald Leopold (assuming you are in the northeast), The Layered Garden by David Culp, and The Living Landscape by Doug Tallamy and Rick Darke. Any of these, or even some photos from them that might show up in an online review, might prove very inspirational for you. One of the things I love about gardening is the opportunity to be creative and resourceful. Enjoy the process!...See Moremom3kids
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