Garden and Door Canopy - A New Vision



We have been toiling in the garden for months.  The journey difficult, full of hard choices.   The facade covered in "ivy" looked like a fairy tale, although the reality was poison oak, ivy and sumac.  The fairy tale ivy was more of a suspense, thriller, there was snake homing amongst the poisonous vines.  Afterward vine removal our cottage appeared stark.  The gardens overgrown, unable to tame it into it's original design, we chose to gift the wildly grown roses, excavate two stumps, also all of the ground cover. We transplanted what we could, creating a courtyard in the front.  In time the plantings will mature, softening the cottage facade. The courtyard is a lovely place to enjoy the evening.  We removed the front door canopy posts, replacing them with brackets to create additional English charm. Painting is next... I am experimenting with white, of course -




The new brackets open the door stoop.  We chose to run the cedar trim around the bottom of the door canopy to cover the scalloped edge. Those little scallops made me goofy, they were the only arc detail on the cottage.  A "X" motif is repeated throughout, along with rectangles and squares. The soft scallops failed to make sense to me. We created a point detail to the back board of the brackets, repeating the point that appears in the negative space of the "X" motif on the double doors and diamonds in the leaded window of Mr. GDC's home office. The repetition of details is what creates harmony in design. 


Posts Before


Lambs Ear, Dwarf Bottle Brush, Red and Coral Knock Out Roses, Boxwood, Orange Rose Topiary flank the Garage Door


Red Diamond Crepe Myrtle, Boxwood Continue As Foundation Plantings, Blue Spruce In Pots Flank The Chimney


Rosemary And Spanish Lavender Flank The Front Double Doors


An Island Of St. Augustine Grass, Petite Red Drift Are Showcased Filling In The Space This Side Of The Stepping Stones


Coral Knock Out Rose 






Day Lily and Spanish Lavender Dance Around Gnash In His Barrel.
He Sticks His Tongue Out At Guest - Trolls.




Red Diamond Crepe Myrtle, Day Lily, Spanish Lavender 


Boxwood, Blue Juniper In Pots, Japanese Maple, Spanish Lavender 




Someday Scheming of a Dovecoat on the lawn. A refuge for our feathered friends. This one featured on Grand Dad Rob Designs in the UK is the stuff my dreams are made of. Gorgeous!






We cleared the fence and corner of mismatched shrubs, creating an open view of the yard and cottage. What once was a perimeter hedgerow had morphed into a few sparse shrubs here and there.


For all the work, progress feels small.  I'm uncertain about the white paint, it feels a little bright. It may be the contrast between the faded olive and crisp white.  I'm considering painting or applying mortar over the brick. Some of the brick was damaged by the vines. A Mason has repaired much of the damage.





Playing with Sherwin Williams Paint Visualizer, trying to imagine the cottage drenched in white.  I think allowing the natural brick to show here and there would create an European feel. I confess, I am afraid to cover the brick.     

Introducing Shutters paired with a window box or two would add additional cottage charm.  I plan to strip, then paint the metal windows black, the trim possibly white to match the interior window treatment. The actual paint color scheme I am uncertain of. Currently considering options while sitting in the courtyard during the evening hours; gray, taupe, cream? 

Until next time, wishing you all the best - 


Comments

  1. I actually love the brick...and I'm not always a fan of brick. The pictures convey peacefulness. The brown wicker chairs were the perfect purchase--they blend in just right. Thanks for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting and commenting. We are enjoying the chairs. I appreciate your feedback.

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    2. Kinzi Herron (youtube) has a wonderful german schmear that does not cover all the brick. I tried to copy and paste the link of her before and after but it wouldn't work. You have a beautiful home. Love your updates!

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    3. Thank you very much! That's a great idea. I'm literally wearing out the internet trying to decide what to do. The original house was built in 1930, I honestly don't believe the brick arrived until 1950 when the two additions were added. There is only 1/3 of the house that is brick. Thank you for stopping by to visit and for your suggestion. I will look at the German Schmear.

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