Stuck Between 2 Stones and a Hard Place...
Kyle
4 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (15)
Lynn Heins
4 years agoMark Bischak, Architect
4 years agoRelated Discussions
I'm stuck! #2 With pictures of complete front yard.
Comments (7)First, please take all of my advice with a grain of salt, because I've been a renter my entire adult life. I think you will be much happier in the long run for planning things out the way you are right now. I've lived in a lot of places where the owner didn't think things far enough ahead, or didn't maintain the landscape properly. You definitely need a defined walkway or path. Without a path, you will end up with a muddy rut to your door. Possibly two ruts, one from sidewalk to door and one from driveway to door. You could wait for the grass to wear out along the path of least resistance, and then pave that as your path. But I think you'll be happier with something solid and dry underfoot from the beginning. Your landscape right now looks like a jigsaw puzzle in progress, with only the edges done. That's great, because you get to fill in the middle according to your wishes. A path, even if it's just some stepping stones from the driveway to the front door so visitors know what they're supposed to walk on, is a big chunk of the center of the puzzle. Once that's in place, designing and decorating the rest of the yard will be easier. If you were making a fancy cake, you'd start with the cake part, and put the frosting on last. Flowers are frosting. When you design your decorative beds, start small. Plan on expanding them later, but don't try to do everything at once. Keep in mind that the yard is already going to need maintenance, even if you don't change a thing. The lawn will need mowing and raking. The driveway will need sweeping and shoveling. The inside of the house is going to need cleaning. Add only what you can take care of at any given time. A well-tended grouping of two or three large planted containers is always going to look better than a big, out-of-control garden that hasn't been weeded or groomed in a month, no matter how pretty the flowers in between the weeds are. Have fun, and may you and your garden grow happily together for years to come....See MoreBetween a rock and a hard place, need help with leather furniture
Comments (10)mogator88 - actually I just got a call from the local store today. She understood my needs and called the sales rep and they agreed that I could buy this sofa. They faxed the info and I'm going to the store tomorrow to see the leather samples and the cost. Thanks so much for your continued help. Now I have several choices that I feel completely comfortable that they are 1) made in Canada or US and 2) have decent construction - not plastic blocks. I'm not between a rock and a hard place anymore. And I'm thrilled that I walked away from the Macy's Natuzzi Italasofa because I know it wouldn't last very long. thanks, Sky...See MoreRock and hard place -what would you do?
Comments (4)Nasus, I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your cousin. This really is a hard situation but for one you heard about his passing from other relatives, you really never know under what circumstances he might have said that. Sometimes things get misunderstood when passed around. Whatever the case is, I think that as his brother, whether they had a strained relationship or not, he has a right to know. I would put myself in his shoes. You know their relationship better than any of us here do, so ultimately the decision is yours. Have you decided?...See MoreStuck between a designer and architect
Comments (20)Hi again, it looks like you have lots of opinions already thrown out so I will just add a quick one. It sounds like you are doing your due diligence in speaking with multiple pros, have experience from previous renovations or builds and have thought through the resale side of things a lot which is all great. What it sounds like you may benefit from is a frank and direct talk with the professionals to get a full list of their opinion of pros and cons on your ideas. The bathroom sounds like it may be a cost issue but the entry may go beyond cost to concerns of water, roof lines, expensive structure, etc. Asking each pro to provide a run down of their stance and the reasoning behind their opinions would help you determine who is telling you what you want to hear, who is telling you what you need to hear and/ or who is interested in working with you to come up with at least a hybrid or acceptable alt solution. Best of luck!...See MoreB Carey
4 years agoMark Bischak, Architect
4 years agoKyle
4 years agoLindsey_CA
4 years agocpartist
4 years agoLidia
4 years agoKeepthefaith MIGirl
4 years agoMark Bischak, Architect
4 years agoKyle
4 years agoStorybook Home
4 years agocpartist
4 years agoA Fox
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
Related Stories
REMODELING GUIDES9 Hard Questions to Ask When Shopping for Stone
Learn all about stone sizes, cracks, color issues and more so problems don't chip away at your design happiness later
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNGarden Walls: Dry-Stacked Stone Walls Keep Their Place in the Garden
See an ancient building technique that’s held stone walls together without mortar for centuries
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNBathroom Workbook: 7 Natural Stones With Enduring Beauty
Not everyone wants a marble bath. Bring organic warmth to counters, walls or floors with these hard-wearing alternatives
Full StoryFLOORSAre Stone Floors Right for Your Home?
If you’re thinking about going with this hard-wearing material, here are important pros and cons to weigh
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGHow to Make a Stacked Stone Fire Pit
See how to build a cozy outdoor gathering place for less than $500
Full StoryCONTEMPORARY HOMESHouzz Tour: Texas Home With a Lap Pool Ideal for 2 Triathletes
A contemporary new house in Austin offers its owners a place to train and take in the views
Full StoryPRITZKER PRIZE WINNERS2 Irish Women Win the 2020 Pritzker Architecture Prize
Dublin architects Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara are known for rational buildings that focus on function and place
Full StoryMODERN HOMESHouzz Tour: A Modern Home Rooted in Its Place
It's partially buried in the earth, but with a cantilevered roof and strong colors, this Ottawa home is anything but shy
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: Creative DIY Personalizes a 2-Bedroom Bungalow
Stenciling, custom finishes and furniture, and Scottish-inspired style give a 1920s home personality and warmth
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNHow to Pick a Shower Niche That's Not Stuck in a Rut
Forget "standard." When you're designing a niche, the shelves and spacing have to work for your individual needs
Full Story
KyleOriginal Author