Sunday, May 15, 2011

What would YOU do?

Now that I've pretty much planned out the interior of the house, I've started to turn my creative energies to the exterior. Not that I've actually finished doing everything on the inside. I've just thought it all up. I need a new "planning in the evenings when I'm to tired to actually do anything" project. And this is it. The front entrance to the house. In particular, that pesky little brickway that's not quite a patio, not quite a porch. There's no roof and no place to plant flowers-- which you wouldn't see from the yard anyway, because of the wall.

The only sure thing I've got is that I must have some bougainvillea growing on that wall. That's a given.

Here are the pics. Now, turn loose your creative juices and tell me... what would you do?

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Oh, and I should point out that, in Florida annuals are not really an option. We don't have an irrigation system and I'm SO not spending the next ten years of my life watering. I need super easy, drought resistant suggestions. Also, lots of mulch, most likely. And bushes. But no cacti. After our last run-in with a cactus, I spent three days picking splinters out of Judah's hands.

8 comments:

Hosanna said...

If it were me, I'd GET RID OF THE WALL. If it is not needed to hold up the roof, I'd simply rip it out and have a patio. I have come to really love ripping out all un needed anythings in my house with my trusty iron ripping bar and starting from scratch. :)As for Florida plants; I don't know; all I *do* know about plants in Florida is, all my relatives there have perfectly amazing, lush, jungle-like gardens - and they don't have irrigation systems. I know it can totally be done. I just don't know how.
Oh, and WHERE did you get that AWESOME twig chair?!

Jenny said...

Well, assuming you don't rip out the wall:) I'd start with something simple like this: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202032764/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I don't know about plants in FL, but I'd think that if you ask at a local nursery (or even Home Depot plant dept.) they'd have lots of advice for you! I LOVE Bougainvillea, too:)But, it might be TOO hot there for it? don't know. There are so many cool tropical plants for patios, etc. And just watering a plant or two with a watering can is no biggie - sounds like a good responsibility for S;)

lislynn said...

I don't really want to get rid of the wall though, Hosie. Me likee the wall :) Also, as far as I can see, a patio in the front of the house is pretty useless, too. And that's part of my problem... We have two seperate patios already in the back where we'll likely spend most of out "settin' outside" time. So I really think this area is going to end up being simply decorative.

Isn't that twig bench awesome??? :D I GREENBOXED that sucker!! Yay me!!

Jenny, I love those planters. I was actually thinking wrought iron was the way to go... What do you think... on the wall under each opening, or something actually sitting IN the archway?

lislynn said...

Also, Jenny, this is apparently the Mecca of bougainvillea. This is where bougainvillea wants to go when it dies... I saw B vine taller than a three story building and about fifteen feet across. It was awe-inspiring...

Polly said...

Az must be the Medina of bougainvillea then. :)

I still can't believe you live in that house.

lislynn said...

Polly, I know, right? It's weeeeeird. Sometimes I feel like we're just house-sitting for some wealthy relatives. Hard to believe we could afford this place...

Jenny said...

I think you're going to have to check the planters out, because, though I LOVE the ones that "hang", they might not work with your sill-thingy. I can't tell how wide the sills are. Another thought, I'm assuming you'll fix up the brick floor there, if you want to lighten it up, maybe rough paint the brick, after you've leveled it out. Would really brighten it and make it look clean (leave it "rustic", like with black edges maybe?). And I love the twiggy bench, too!
The other possibility is hanging baskets in each archway - but that would block the "view" of the street more, depending on if that matters to you. I would also HAVE to do something along that walkway - find out what grows in shade there and PLANT IT! I'm sure there are some nice ones that will pretty it up;) And DEFINITELY BOUGAINVILLEA!!!!! LOVE that stuff!

Jenny said...

BTW, definitely wrought iron- love it with the stucco, so olde world-ish;)
And did I mention the BOUGAINVILLEA?!?!?
When I was in Spain they had it growing up the walls along the streets in full bloom - so gorgeous! I fell in love:)