I don't feel that the phrase "most straight forward manner" is a good summary of what the Craftsman movement was all about. My understanding is that it was primarily a reaction to the perceived stylistic excesses of the Victorian era and its use of mass produced ornamentation, and also struggling with the displacement of fine craftsmanship in both construction and manufacture. The quotation as given seems to imply a relationship with the need to fit into a prevailing style meeting the neighbor's approval, and misses the point of the movement in my view. Perhaps there are major differences between the development of the Craftsman style movement here in California and the East Coast USA versus what drove the style in England. The development of the style here on the West Coast was about developing an architecture with more basic expression of the materials being used, in combination with an approach to an indoor/outdoor lifestyle or at least muvh stronger connections to garden connections to take advantage of the milder insevt free climate. Japanese building techniques with wood and joinery featured and a simplicity and elegance of wood form and natural finishes unadorned by paint are also hallmarks of the style here in California. Beginnings toward interior room arrangements with more flow and less seperation by walls, large gracious front porches, outdoor sleeping balconies and integration of landscape architectural structures to integrate home and garden are key characteristics of the style as it evolved in southern California. I don't see how your quoted reference addresses any of that as the style evolved in towns such as Pasadena or my own town of Berkeley, California. We are fortunate to have many great examples of the style which continue to be cherished locally. While its expression was inclusive of many different influences; an attractive outward appearance, aka "curb appeal", was an important part of the style in responce to the mood of the times and in reaction to what preceded it. Personally I find interest in Victorian, Craftsman, California Bungalow, Arte Moderne, California Ranch, etc if they are done well; each have their place here and often side by side in the same neighborhood. That being said, I also really appreciate cities such as Santa Barbara which decided to require a unified Spanish/Mediterranean building style for all new construction when faced with major destruction of the town by earthquake decades after the big 1906 earthquake here in San Francisco. There was no such agreement on rebuilding with one unified style here in the SF Bay Area, and the urban areas here reflect that diversity of styles. Re:building costs versus architect's inaccurate budget estimates; it can certainly be the case, but doesn't need to be. Asking for references of built projects and budgets is always wise, and seeking out designers with design/build experience favors more accurate budgets and perhaps less confusion with planning and permitting. Taking the time to become informed and knowing to ask the right questions is also key.

I am in the same boat as your friend, being disabled and not able to do much in the garden besides deadhead and very occasionally water. I researched low-maintenance plants, drought tolerant, etc. One thing I use a lot is monkey grass (AKA liriope), blooming shrubs like roses, and a native verbena that spreads like mad, comes back every year and requires no upkeep, only removing the dead ones in the winter. lessee, what else, I love bulbs and have had DH plant tons, so I get lots of spring colors... moss roses self-seeded; I put in 2 crepe myrtles but have since removed them cus I wanted the space for roses instead. I grow tea and china roses, the antique ones that don't need sprayed or fussed over... herbs like mint also make great groundcovers but aren't evergreen for me. I think the plan to replace the lawn with ground covers is the way to go - your climate is very different then mine here on the right coast. Maybe a rock garden would look right?

Amazing thread! Great tips. I began salvaging the old double-hungs from our 1913 house we sold to a builder -- he gave me 7 days to get everything out I wanted and was amazed that I pluck so much: all the doors, windows, stair rail, cabinets, even the lovely trim around all the doors and windows. I used them to rebuild a house on our ranch in Texas. Fortunately I had a skilled carpenter who built the house around the salvage material. The next house he built required more windows, which I found through a demolition company who called me whenever they had a house with windows in good condition. Great way to harvest shiplap as well. We're in the process of building again, and this time my "picker" got windows that need work, so I sent them to a carpenter who is framing them so the crew can just slip them in like a store bought. The key is to get the entire window out, in the frame, and don't forget the weights! You'll save a lot of money if you don't have to build the frame and all the mechanisms of the weighted window. My attempts to deal with the vinyl replacment contractors has FAILED -- they simply refuse to take the time to pull the window out in the frame, like the pictures show above, they leave the frame and rip up the sashes as they pull them out. Crazy!!! I offer them good money, too. Fortunately we live in a neighborhood where anything pre-1940 is being bulldozed and replaced by McMansions. That's the best place to hunt.

Hi All - Yup, I'm still here. I just love looking at the pictures and savoring all the ideas... and I don't want to miss anything, so I keep coming back! :) I'm traveling right now though, so I've had much more limited access to my computer. As for the plant hardiness zone, I am in southern NH and it is generally considered 5-6 around here (NH does have zones down to 3, but those are pretty far north and probably higher in elevation too). Dogwoods should do nicely around here and there should be plenty to pick from at the garden centers. Can't wait 'til I get home so I can see what I can get started on. I'll probably have to start with planning the plantings since the screen porch is currently the workshop for the power tools needed to fix the interior issues. Thanks for the links and for the advice for copying the photos. I think I will get started on that tonight! I'm sure many others on the forum would agree that your work here should be immortalized forever... not deleted after a few months. :) Thanks! -Paula