Help me redesign my garden
Rick Lloyd
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
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Comments (23)
Rick Lloyd
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoRelated Discussions
Need help redesigning the front yard
Comments (1)Take out landlord insurance if you have none. Not everyone likes ornamental grasses, at least get some that don't look brown in drier weather....See MoreHELP! Redesign my kitchen...an afterthought in a 1924 miner's cottage
Comments (19)EXAMPLE #1: L-shape, Table & Chairs, Remove Bench for Fridge and More Counter * Your Back Door: where they have large ceiling to floor window. * 1st Counter Along Window Wall: counter top with sink under window, and upper cabinets over counter on either side of the window. * Turn to Right Side and Create 2nd counter: put your full stove where this picture has a cook top. * Removed closed wall so your kitchen is open to the hall. * With this expanded "wider" space that combines with the hall, you can put a round table with four chairs. (Almost where they have their "counter island". * In your diagram, to the left of the door is your bench. If you have a table & chairs in the "wider" space, could you remove the bench? * On the wall where the bench was: a. put a fridge, b. build a counter with cupboards overhead. ********************************************************************************************************************* Example #2: U-shaped Kitchen In this photograph, beginning from the left-side corner: * Back door. * Fridge (theirs is built-in / too expensive for me / just put a fridge with freezer). * 1st Counter: Your sink under window. * Right turn: 2nd Counter: Stove (they have stove-top and built-in own below). * Since a full fridge & freezer is beside the door, you can use a longer counter to the right of the stove. * (Ignore their sink in this picture.) * 3rd Counter with cupboards below and above. * Remove bench. Along the "removed bench" wall: a. buy an "island" on wheels with chairs; b. when you are alone you can use this table-top for large cooking projects; c. use the island and chairs for eating; d. use a chair to change your shoes coming/going into the backyard. ******************************************************************************************************************** EXAMPLE 3: L - SHAPE * Remove lift-top freezer. * Keep sink under window. Have counter on both sides of the sink. * Counter on the right. * On this second counter, put stove (they have a stove-top and built-in oven). * Remove the wall so the kitchen and hallway are combined. * Move the fridge against the Bedroom #1 wall (on the kitchen side). * On the bench wall. Make the bench smaller so it will fit under a kitchen table. Use the table top for food preparation. When you have company, pull the table away from the bench so you can sit on the bench and use the table. With a small bench, you can put a table on this wall. Build the bench in a U-shape. Put baskets or wood boxes underneath to keep your boots and shoes. This table costs $99 at Ikea. When it is folded in, it can be used as a counter-top. So you don't obstruct the back door from opening, you can push this table over the bench. When you have company, you can pull-out the table's sides to make a larger table top. www.ikea.com Table Name: BJURSTA Table Description: Extendable table, birch veneer Size: 19 5/8" wide x 27 1/2" deep (when table is folded) x 35 3/8" height x 35 3/8 " (when table is unfolded). ******************************************************************************************************************** EXAMPLE #4 If you remove: * the lift-top freezer, and * the wall between the kitchen and hallway. * Will you have room to build a counter from where the freezer was into the space that was the hallway? * Move the fridge to the wall against the 1st Bedroom * In this photograph, there are many "fancy extra" to ignore (i.e. built-in ovens). I think your stove would be on the counter where this picture shows just a built-in range top. Hope something from these suggestions is a help to you! - K...See MoreNeed help/suggestion for my garden screening/privacy
Comments (36)It is unfortunate that Ficus Hillii hybrids are being pushed by landscapers. The root system of all ornamental figs is bad. The Flash variety is just a smaller version of Ficus microcarpa which is a massive tree. They ALL have roots that cause severe structural damage to homes, pools, driveways, walls etc. As a very experienced garden designer, I have seen too many instances of considerable structural problems caused by this plant family. Beware....See MoreNeed help with my garden
Comments (12)Sherry, I really love your house, I love the charm and character of weatherboards. I'm trying to buy a new home for myself and would choose something like that in a heartbeat, except there is nothing like it in the area I'm looking. Looking at the first photo, I think I would let your house shine on its own merits. Definitely put a decent path to get to the car and along the fence seems perfect to me. Allow width for carrying bags of groceries and such so you don't hit plants. A path with garden each side means you can be brushing against wet plants too as well as damaging them. I really can't see you gaining any privacy in this space without blocking the house from the street so I think I would forget about a hedge and just go for a cottage garden, it would suit the house perfectly. Look for some perennial plants that don't require a lot of maintenance. Hydrangeas, for example, look fabulous when they are in flower, and they grow easily from cuttings but they do require severe pruning each autumn or they grow very leggy and untidy. Miniature varieties of azaleas, gardenias and such will add colour and perfume year after year with minimum maintenance and ground covers will help keep the weeds at bay. Astrogirl mentioned lambs ears - they make a lovely contrast in a garden and are also very easy to grow from cuttings. You can also add some height by putting flowers in tall pots As far as the nature strip goes, you would need to approach the Council about planting more trees. Many Councils will provide residents with trees when they know the residents will care for them or they will specify what you can grow. There are legal issues to consider when this is public land. Some trees have surface roots for example that can cause a pedestrian to trip and fall. Just be sure more trees won't stop sun and light to your garden so your plants don't grow and too much shade will cause moss to grow on your path that can be slippery and dangerous. Another issue to consider in planting close to the house are termites, especially with your weatherboards. How active are termites in your area? If you are in a termite prone area, it is not advised to put large shrubs against the walls of the house, you need to allow for air circulation. Don't stress too much over your plantings, like Astrogirl said it is all an experiment. Small plants can be moved if you change your mind. The best garden is one that evolves over time and it is so much more satisfying....See MoreRick Lloyd
6 years agoRick Lloyd
6 years ago- Rick Lloyd thanked Texture Landscapes: a division of Texture Group
Josie Owen
6 years agoRick Lloyd
6 years ago
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