We
are counting down the days until our new home is finished and we get
the keys! We are officially one month out until that happens!!
One
of the first things we have to address when we move in is our backyard
landscaping. Having an HOA we will have certain requirements, and one of
those is we need to submit a professional landscape plan to the HOA for
acceptance before we can begin and once it is accepted we have 6 months
to have it done.
Say What?
Should I panic?
Nooooooooo!!!
As soon as I found out I needed a professional I thought of my blog friend, and master gardener Debra Phillips who will do e-designs. You see Debra lives on the other side of the country from me.
She
is not just a blogger, but a shop owner that sells beautiful items from
her European travels, she takes people on Garden and shopping tours in
Europe.
In fact she will soon be on a month long trip to France. Can you imagine being on that tour? Oh how fun!!
We
are just starting the process, and I have been pinning away on a secret
board for just Debra and I to look at, and to share ideas.
Pictures have been sent, questionnaires have been filled out, and even a video of our yard has been sent.
Debra is very thorough in her getting to know exactly what makes you tick, and what will work, or not work for you.
Once you see the images I have pinned throughout this post you will see that I picked the perfect designer for my yard.
Since
I am usually the planner, and have a systematic way of thinking this
whole process is a bit different for me, and I am truly on the learning
curve here.
I
know what I like so that is a good start, and I am all about details so
that is helpful as well. But to be honest even if I weren’t, Debra
would be able to pull out of me what I truly love, and put it together
in a beautiful design. She is clever and talented like that!
I thought I would share some of the images that have been swirling around in my head for our very small yard.
Our backyard is only30ft deep and part of that is an 8ft slope, and about 40 ft wide. Perfectly sized for our needs.
FIRST THING YOU SHOULD DO!
The first step in this process is to start saving images of gardens that speak to you. At this point you don’t need to think about the WHY, just pin or save images that speak to you.
After you have saved several images you will start to see a pattern emerge of elements, and styles that you like.
I
usually do the analyzing and still do, but I am fortunate to have an
expert analyze my style this time around. I asked Debra if she had to
give my style a name how would she describe it, or name it. She said……
“If I did not know you were a California girl I would think you were from the Midwest, or East coast.”
She is so right I do seem to have more likes that lean that direction.
SECOND STEP!
The next thing you need to think about is what are the most important elements to you.
Mine
was pretty simple, it is all about the views, and water features. I
have to have the sound of water in my yard. I use to have a pool in my
backyard, and loved looking out at the pool …..
Our previous home’s backyard, this make me miss it!!
In
our new home we will have a view to the backyard from our Great room
and our master bedroom. Since my kitchen sink faces the Great room I
will have a perfect view of any water feature we place out there.
We are also fortunate to have a small covered side patio right outside that open door and the three windows on the side.
This will be a perfect spot for yet another water feature up against the fence.
After
doing a lot of pinning I came up with two water features repeatedly. It
will be interesting to see what we come up with once we start shopping,
and see what is available and budget friendly.
Here are some of the water features that caught my eye….
This would fit in perfectly with my aesthetics. Water, stone, boxwood 
Antique trough and spigots! ♥♥♥ this look.
Throughout this post I am posting some of the images that I used to show Debra what I like in a landscape.
Another trough fountain, this could work nicely right outside our side patio.
I really like the lighting in this one! More ideas to ponder!!
This
would be perfect behind the side fountain. Does anyone know what kind
of vine this is? I really like the small leaves and how tight it is.
Vessel fountains are attractive to me. They are easy to install and make, plus they are very budget friendly.
The three stone columns is another look that I think is nice and gives a more organic feel to the garden.
Another trough fountain, even one single light is pretty.
This
was the first trough fountain that I saw that was not used up against
some type of wall or fence. This is huge and most likely not within my
budget, but still very pretty in my minds eye.
This is so interesting to me. The use of an antique spigot with a vessel fountain.
Make mine cobalt blue please!
(I will be discussing colors for my landscaping in another post.)
These are plantings that I have used in my previous garden in a shady area, and would like to use again if we can.
I
love stepping stones mixed in with greenery. Baby tears is one plant
that I have to have in my new yard on the shady side. My Grandpa always
had baby tears in his yard, and they are a sentimental plant to me.
Is there anything prettier than a brick courtyard? Narrow and yet it is lush and inviting.
Curves make a nice gentle flow in a garden.
This is just a small sampling of the images I pinned for Debra. I hope her brain is not swirling as much as mine is.
So
much fun and so much to look forward too. We still have lots to plan
and do, and I plan on taking you all along with me on this new journey.
Good Reminder:
If
I had to make one last very important point it would be sure to make a
plan of attack, and then you will be able to take one step at a time
and……
“Enjoy the Process!”
If you would like to see more of what I like in a landscape, click on the titles below……
12 comments:
You are in good hands with Debra. She is amazing! You should see the home she does up for the house walk during Christmas. Every year she knocks it out of the park.
And her store is beautiful. So many cool things to see.
She is the sweetest lady. She will take care of you...no worries.
Wow, Kathysue. You have selected so many beautiful images. Between your great taste and Debra's immense talent as a garden designer, I know your garden will be a stunner. How exciting!
XO, Victoria
What a tremendous that Debra is!!...I have pinned her amazing gardens....When I downsize, I definitely want the quaint European garden with wonderful fountains....just love the sound of water...I miss that too as we have always had pools with waterfalls for that wonderful sound of water....Great inspiration here!
How fun! Judging by her pictures Debra Phillips has certainly created some fabulous landscapes. I thought the same as she remarked about your style from the pictures I was seeing. Our water fountain came from a company called Campania International. A friend of mine lives in San Francisco and showed me pictures from a place there called A Silvestri Co., and they have a beautiful product lineup. It will be fun to see what you two come up with.
Kathy Sue,
I love Debra's work. Like you, I live in California so if I ever need her design help I will be doing the e-design consulting as well. I love your ideas and it will be fun to see what your finished yard looks like, I'm sure it will be wonderful.
Karen
Kathysue isn't it amazing how much there is to a design /build and the exterior is the first impression of a home, so the landscape Should be well thought out. Love the green trellis!! So many wonderful ideas!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Featuring India Hicks!
oh we are having fun aren't we kathysue! more time will be spent on your design today as we get closer and closer.
thank you for your truly kind words!
debra
Gorgeous! We have been in our home five years and the landscaping desperately needs attention but it keeps moving farther down the list as we redo kitchens, bathrooms, and finish off our third floor. I'm hoping to get rid of our deck and go the patio route with an outdoor fireplace. Definitely want to incorporate a water fixture too! You have great taste!
So many lovely ideas...it would be very hard to choose. Are you able to put in trees for shade, almost a must-do for our increasingly hot summers. I look forward to seeing the design you choose.
Well, they are all perfectly beautiful. We are currently working with a landscape designer and we can't wait to get started. We will likely wait until Spring to do the beds, but will do the grass this fall. Can't wait to see what you decide on.
Kathysue..your in good hands with Debra..she is so talented and I love your ideas!
My vote is for either the large vessel set in stones or the three columns of rock that have been drilled out to run water through. Much more impressive and organic than a trough with a spigot!
Post a Comment