Today on Outdoor Design Dilemma, your gracious host of Green Force and landscape designer Carson Arthur goes beyond the borders of landscaping to advise an excited first-time homeowner on how to improve her home's curb appeal. To help illustrate Carson's advice, I have taken it upon myself to deploy a little PhotoShop wizardry, and to source a little plant inspiration...so if you don't like it, don't blame Carson.
From Kerry:
"I just bought my first house (yay!), so my budget is pretty tight but
I'm a big fan of DIY! My first challenge is that the front of the
house doesn't look like the front of a house - because it used to be
the back of the house! The lot was sub-divided just before I bought
it, and the new driveway now approaches the former 'back' of the
house. All this to say that the house does NOT look very welcoming,
nor does it show any personality whatsoever. Also, the deck and
stairs that you see are rotten and need to be replaced.
"With regards to landscaping, I 'inherited' lots of mature perennials,
but I'm not attached to keeping that garden beside the driveway (I
haven't been able to identify anything in it but the lilies so it might
be mostly weeds.)
"The style I most closely identify with is Mid-Century Modern. My house
is about 70 years old, and inside it's full of character that I think
works well with that aesthetic. So outside, I'd like to find a way to:
-
make the front of the house look like the front of a house, and
-
give it some personality
Thanks!"
Carson Suggests: Hey Kerry, congrats on the first purchase. It’s a big step but one that you will never forget.
To start with the front door:
Elana's PhotoShop Magic: To go with Kerry's preference for Mid Century Modern design, I kept the door and stairs clean, and I think it works! I would also suggest keeping the overhang but recladding it the same cedar (or cedar-coloured) continuous horizontal planks/siding. I think it would add to the modern look.
- If this was my home, I’d move the front door to the middle of the little addition, where the square window is at the moment.
- Bring the new deck and steps straight out from there. Remember to make the new deck at least 5 feet deep and the entire width of the little vestibule. Make the stairs the same width as well.
Now that you have a focal point at the front of the house, you can tackle the landscaping. Because of the size of your property, I have good news and bad…
Elana's Inspirational Pic: I say, ornamental grasses. They can cover
lots of ground and will help transition the 30s home toward a mid-mod
look. Photo via CleanCutLawnandGarden blog.
Bad news first:
- You have a huge space that you’re never going to be 100% happy with no matter how much time and effort you put into it. Such is the joy of gardening.
- Everything that you do will definitely be an improvement, but you’ll always think you could have done it better. Make sure you keep these pictures close to remind you how far you’ve come.
Now the good news:
- The major banks have gone on record saying that landscaping is one of the most cost-beneficial investments you can make in your home when it comes to resale. Every penny increases the sale price of your home so take your time, but realize that you are adding to your investment with the purchase of very plant.
Stand back on the driveway and just look at the house and design from there. Fill the holes, create splashes of colour and just play with plants.
Enjoy every minute of it.
--Carson
Previously on Outdoor Design Dilemma: Get Mature Growth Fast!
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