Define Your House
JustDoIt
last year
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Does Your Garden Have a Focal Point or Defining Feature?
Comments (34)My ex didn't want me to get this birdbath and it is one of the things that was the final straw in our marriage. Actually the other thing was three round bales of hay. That was nine years ago. When I had this birdbath on the other side of my creek before I moved the garden over here, I had Ranuculas around it which looked really pretty. When I get my new bare root roses through the mail, the roses get put in the bird bath prior to planting. All the large rainfall last Summer killed my perianals around the birdbath. I will have to get some more My girls put this statue in the birdbath some years ago, the lady is nursing a baby and I thought it was appropiate. Too bad about her neck or head and I haven't repaired it yet....See MoreHow Would You Define Your Garden Vision?
Comments (46)Without a doubt, my garden vision would best be described as an extension of my personality. It's not all that uncommon for me to be referred to as weird nor for my reply to be a simple thank you. My garden isn't often painted in such a harsh shade but more so in a never seen anything quite like it tone which I generally acknowledge to be a compliment ;-) My motto has almost always been that necessity is a mutha and my garden began under that premise. The landscape was a disaster both cosmetically and structurally. My conscience would not allow me to put my wife through the embarassment any longer and some erosion/water torrent issues required urgent structural changes to a hillside. In an attempt to begin to solve the hillside issues, I started with an 80,000 lb pile of rocks that would soon become the foundation for my 3/4 of a decade 3,000,000 pounds of hardscape garden vision. As that first pile of rocks began to be placed and transformed into a koi pond and rock garden, my vision started to take shape. Knowing absolutely nothing of landscape design or what style was what, I simply decided to take advantage of my odd lot shape and changes in elevation and try to change scenery and style around every corner. Virtually every section has a water feature, a different pathway surface, different specimen type plants and my own fence and gate designs. Some sections are a bit more formal, some more natural but all are filled with a lot of color, both in foliage and flower. Along the way as I was getting closer and closer to it all coming together, I started to recognize the amazing contribution that roses were making to my overall scheme, especially when it came to my constant quest for late summer color. That's what brought me to these great rose forums. While I consider that a great thing, I suppose some who grow weary of my gallery postings might beg to differ. Nevertheless, I am now somewhere between 60 and 70 roses and counting and can finally begin the task of perfecting my care techniques for them....See More'A house defines the very spirit of who we are'
Comments (15)'A house defines the very spirit of who we are'. No, it doesn't. A house might reflect the spirit of who we are, but that is either backward, or a marketing gimmick. How is it a marketing ploy? Well, It's hinting that if we buy or do the 'right' thing, it'll make us better, richer, more attractive. Sort of like picking out a dog because it's fashionable. Yes, I suppose the 'right' house could feed a person's ego if it were fancy enough with the right amenities, and in the right spot. But if you have to buy a certain house to define yourself, that's sad. For many reasons like the other posters have noted, it may not even reflect a person's spirit. One lives within monetary restraints, or lives where they don't want to for various reasons, usually involved with work. That being said, there are occasions when someone connects with a house and there is an instant bond and one can feel as if they and their house are interconnected and it just fits. The property in which I am living now fits that description. I knew the instant I lay eyes on it, it just called to me. Belonged to a fellow I had just started dating and when he drove me home for a dinner he was going to prepare, I was smitten. LOL with the house first, the fellow later. It's not fancy, never was. It has been a work in progress since we married 25 years ago as our lives and the house's life mingled. I ended up quiting my job and starting up an agricultural business on the property. Over the years, I have replanted an orchard, put up structures, repaired the chicken coop and pulled out the cobble and restored. It's a monstrous old Federal and it's just the two of us here now and the grounds take a lot of upkeep. Never plan on downsizing and we'll keep it up as best we can and croak here one day I suppose. We saved it from certain demolition and gave it a new life and it seems almost 'grateful'. Not fancy, but suits our simple life. It does reflect our spirit. But it didn't define it....See MoreExterior design direction & front door jamb color
Comments (1)It looks like most of the trim is already white and now you have painted part of it brown. It will look more consistant if all or most of the trim matches. I tend to agree with your husband on the door trim. The "frame" around the door can either blend in or stand out. Like you noted, painting it the same color as the door makes it blend in (most people want doors to stand out). I think that painting the door trim and other added trim white to match the rest of the house would look better....See MoreJustDoIt
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