New paint (Brown Tee Pee by Behr; New shutters (architecturaldepot.com); new lighting from Lowes;
Before: (2 years ago)
Now:
My fall yard plan is to trim a lot of of the shrubs and two large trees in front of the house and that's that!
Showing posts with label outdoor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outdoor. Show all posts
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Shutters are up and it's done-zo!
Finally, my shutters are up and the exterior of the house is done. From 2 years ago to now!
New paint (Brown Tee Pee by Behr; New shutters (architecturaldepot.com); new lighting from Lowes;
Before: (2 years ago)
New paint (Brown Tee Pee by Behr; New shutters (architecturaldepot.com); new lighting from Lowes;
Before: (2 years ago)
Dahlias
Here are some of my dahlias I planted this year. Unfortunately, I planted the tubers a little too late and while they've been blooming for a few weeks now, it will soon frost here in RI and I'm afraid my 2011 season of dahlias will just have been way too short!
Anyway, here are some of my favorites!
Anyway, here are some of my favorites!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
I hate waiting....
....so I put up the new front step lights myself rather than calling someone (why I did this on an 85 degree day that is hazy, hot, and insanely humid---well, muggy as all Hell--I don't know!)
Man, this took longer than I thought as the screws that came w/ the fixtures were too long to make the light flush up against the house and I had to hunt through my stash of supplies to find some suitable substitutes. Anyway, an hour later, I had both lights up on either side of the front step. Again, as I mentioned in an earlier post last week, they were $39.97 by Hampton Bay at Home Depot. There was a larger size, maybe I should've gotten those, but I feel like they look a bit smaller in this dimly lit photo from my iPhone. But, I do love their styling and they're not too small--there were certainly smaller lanterns at Home Depot for sure. I also checked Lowe's and didn't really love their selection of exterior lights.
Here is a before & after of the front door w/ paint, new mailbox (14.99 from Home Depot), and lighting:
I also installed the floodlight w/ motion detection on the back deck. The challenge here was the old light was wedged under one of the wood shake siding shingles. I had to tilt the new fixture to fit it into place where the old one was.
After all was said and done, I was so happy when I turned on the breaker and the lights worked!
Man, this took longer than I thought as the screws that came w/ the fixtures were too long to make the light flush up against the house and I had to hunt through my stash of supplies to find some suitable substitutes. Anyway, an hour later, I had both lights up on either side of the front step. Again, as I mentioned in an earlier post last week, they were $39.97 by Hampton Bay at Home Depot. There was a larger size, maybe I should've gotten those, but I feel like they look a bit smaller in this dimly lit photo from my iPhone. But, I do love their styling and they're not too small--there were certainly smaller lanterns at Home Depot for sure. I also checked Lowe's and didn't really love their selection of exterior lights.
Here is a before & after of the front door w/ paint, new mailbox (14.99 from Home Depot), and lighting:
I also installed the floodlight w/ motion detection on the back deck. The challenge here was the old light was wedged under one of the wood shake siding shingles. I had to tilt the new fixture to fit it into place where the old one was.
After all was said and done, I was so happy when I turned on the breaker and the lights worked!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
House paint is done, just waiting on those shutters....
Hey everybody! The painters finished my house this week and I'm just waiting on my new black shutters to arrive from architecturaldepot.com!
To remind you, the BEFORE (and this is w/ the old rusty colored roof)
And now, the AFTER with a new roof with architectural shingles in "Driftwood" and exterior paint in "Brown Teepee" by Behr. Black shutters, a new mailbox, and lighting to come soon--but I wanted to post an update now! Let's not talk about how i opted for no impatiens this year and my flower beds lack major color...ugh. The zinnias are doing great, but they are hard to see from far away!
Here's a before and after of the back of the house:
Before:
After:
To remind you, the BEFORE (and this is w/ the old rusty colored roof)
And now, the AFTER with a new roof with architectural shingles in "Driftwood" and exterior paint in "Brown Teepee" by Behr. Black shutters, a new mailbox, and lighting to come soon--but I wanted to post an update now! Let's not talk about how i opted for no impatiens this year and my flower beds lack major color...ugh. The zinnias are doing great, but they are hard to see from far away!
Here's a before and after of the back of the house:
Before:
After:
Hmmm, next I need to do something about those unsightly (and seemingly functionless) cinder blocks under the deck. I'm thinking a wood lattice panel.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
New lights for the front door...
I purchased two of these lights for the front door area of the house to finish off the look of the new paint job! I wanted a traditional misson style lamp and I think for the price, these do the job quite nicely--I definitely didn't want to spend more than $50 per lamp. Man, these lamps are expensive out there! I also picked up a motion detector flood light for the back deck.
I also purchased some oil-rubbed bronze spray paint to do the mailbox and the door handle on the door......we'll see how that goes later!
They were $39.97 each from Home Depot. They are formally known as the "Hampton Bay Wall-Mount 1-Light Outdoor Oil Rubbed Chestnut Lantern" (here's a link if you want to check them out on the Home Depot page: Link
Not sure if I'm going to install these myself or have someone come do it...
I also purchased some oil-rubbed bronze spray paint to do the mailbox and the door handle on the door......we'll see how that goes later!
They were $39.97 each from Home Depot. They are formally known as the "Hampton Bay Wall-Mount 1-Light Outdoor Oil Rubbed Chestnut Lantern" (here's a link if you want to check them out on the Home Depot page: Link
Not sure if I'm going to install these myself or have someone come do it...
July flowers!
I'm always torn with cutting flowers....I love the way they look outside adorning the front of my house, but I also love to enjoy them in a vase in my house! I bit the bullet and snipped juuuuuuust a few this morning.
I love the deep blue of the hydrangeas (without them turning purple) and the vibrant purple and yellow gladiolus.
I love the deep blue of the hydrangeas (without them turning purple) and the vibrant purple and yellow gladiolus.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
3 weekends of growth...
Here is one of the railing boxes:
May 28:
June 4:
June 11:
Here are some of the potted arrangements on the deck:
May 28:
June 4:
June 11: The purple and white phlox are really taking off in the top planter w/ the miniature white cosmos.....and, the yellow snap dragons are starting to bud in the pots below along with creeping jenny vines that have begin to make their way down the side of the pot. The giant begonias on the middle will bloom yellow and have small buds, but they're not visible here.
May 28:
June 4:
June 11:
Here are some of the potted arrangements on the deck:
May 28:
June 4:
June 11: The purple and white phlox are really taking off in the top planter w/ the miniature white cosmos.....and, the yellow snap dragons are starting to bud in the pots below along with creeping jenny vines that have begin to make their way down the side of the pot. The giant begonias on the middle will bloom yellow and have small buds, but they're not visible here.
Monday, June 28, 2010
More summer blooms!
This year, I took a chance and planted some bulbs! I've never planted bulbs before, even if my florals were perennials, I planted ones that were already in bloom and in pots from local nurseries. However, a more affordable (and gratifying!) option was to plant some bulbs!
Well, my lilies came up and one bloomed this past Saturday morning! Oh my, I love the rich pink color of the lily!!! WOW! I cannot wait to see this lily develop and spread out in my garden over time. Next year, more stalks should come back.
I also planted gladiolus bulbs (a lot of them!!!). Come to find out, my grandmother used to plant a lot of these too when my mom was growing up---I guess we have the same taste! So, the stalks are up, but no blooms yet....As of June 27, this is how they look. I will update as the grow!
This is how gladiolus look and they come in every color imaginable!!! I don't remember what colors mine will be---some of my bulb packets were just assorted colors. I know I grabbed a bunch of red ones too!
These are my stalks right now:
Well, my lilies came up and one bloomed this past Saturday morning! Oh my, I love the rich pink color of the lily!!! WOW! I cannot wait to see this lily develop and spread out in my garden over time. Next year, more stalks should come back.
I also planted gladiolus bulbs (a lot of them!!!). Come to find out, my grandmother used to plant a lot of these too when my mom was growing up---I guess we have the same taste! So, the stalks are up, but no blooms yet....As of June 27, this is how they look. I will update as the grow!
This is how gladiolus look and they come in every color imaginable!!! I don't remember what colors mine will be---some of my bulb packets were just assorted colors. I know I grabbed a bunch of red ones too!
These are my stalks right now:
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Blooms!
Hey!!!
Peonies have not bloomed yet, but the Irises and Poppies have!!
I cut these irises from another set of iris bushes on the side of my house that doesn't get much visibility.
Peonies have not bloomed yet, but the Irises and Poppies have!!
I cut these irises from another set of iris bushes on the side of my house that doesn't get much visibility.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Flower update!
Here come some buds!!!
"Dinner plate" Dahlias budding! Gorgeous colors!
Peonies that I transplanted from my old home. Last year, their first year in the soil, was rough,but this year, I think there's gonna be great things!!! Here are 2 pics!
Rhododendrons!
This is periwinkle blue perennial that I snagged last weekend, but I forgot the name. Anyone?
I will post pics in a week to update their progress! I bet this time next Saturday, blooms will be everywhere!!!
"Dinner plate" Dahlias budding! Gorgeous colors!
Peonies that I transplanted from my old home. Last year, their first year in the soil, was rough,but this year, I think there's gonna be great things!!! Here are 2 pics!
Rhododendrons!
This is periwinkle blue perennial that I snagged last weekend, but I forgot the name. Anyone?
I will post pics in a week to update their progress! I bet this time next Saturday, blooms will be everywhere!!!
Monday, May 3, 2010
It would be cool if....
I could buy this GEM and GENIUS of a chair by Brookstone. Seriously, Brookstone, this type of engineering is just the type of thing that could solve the world's problems!!!
It could be yours (and mine) if we spend $199.95!
Link to the chair on Brookstone!
It could be yours (and mine) if we spend $199.95!
Link to the chair on Brookstone!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Spring time planters!
Hey everybody!
I hit up a local nursery and Lowe's today for some planting goodies. Needless to say, the local nursery FAR surpasses big box stores' selection of annuals & perennials. But, the box stores are far superior for potting soil varieties, rocks for drainage, and grass seed for my patchy grub-ridden lawn--(that issue is to come in an upcoming post!)
Here are some lovely planters that I got at a local chain, Ocean State Job Lot for about $10.99 each (yes, huge deal!) and some railing planters I ordered on Amazon.com for $14 each (they are awesome! You have so many options: railing size, shape of planter, and color! Links are below!
I planted a variety of vinca vine, impatiens, double impatiens, begonias, and daisies.
It will be interesting to compare these photos with new ones in a few weeks after the baby flowers have taken roots in their planters!
Amazon Seller: Apollo Plastics Deck Railing Planter (24 inches; 2x6 railing; mocha colored) $13.55 a planter!
I hit up a local nursery and Lowe's today for some planting goodies. Needless to say, the local nursery FAR surpasses big box stores' selection of annuals & perennials. But, the box stores are far superior for potting soil varieties, rocks for drainage, and grass seed for my patchy grub-ridden lawn--(that issue is to come in an upcoming post!)
Here are some lovely planters that I got at a local chain, Ocean State Job Lot for about $10.99 each (yes, huge deal!) and some railing planters I ordered on Amazon.com for $14 each (they are awesome! You have so many options: railing size, shape of planter, and color! Links are below!
I planted a variety of vinca vine, impatiens, double impatiens, begonias, and daisies.
It will be interesting to compare these photos with new ones in a few weeks after the baby flowers have taken roots in their planters!
Amazon Seller: Apollo Plastics Deck Railing Planter (24 inches; 2x6 railing; mocha colored) $13.55 a planter!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
House Painting Inspiration
So, this is the current look of my home (pic from last spring)
And, while I love green, I feel like my house is sort of blahhhhhhhhhhhhh looking! I like something snappy! Anyway, the paint is also chipping (even though my neighbors say the house was painted not too long ago...they must have used the wrong paint!?). I found this photo on HGTV.com's Curb Appeal website gallery and fell in love!
Getting an estimate in May, so stay tuned!!!
And, while I love green, I feel like my house is sort of blahhhhhhhhhhhhh looking! I like something snappy! Anyway, the paint is also chipping (even though my neighbors say the house was painted not too long ago...they must have used the wrong paint!?). I found this photo on HGTV.com's Curb Appeal website gallery and fell in love!
Getting an estimate in May, so stay tuned!!!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Yard updates....
April 23:
1. Did the first mow of the front yard
2. Spread insect disease killer
3. Spread Scotts Turfbuilder
4. Weeded front yard flower beds
5. Planted spring blooming perennials
6. Planted summer blooming perennial bulbs
April 24:
1. Mowed the yard
2. ATTACKED the overgrown, weedy flower beds. Here are the pics....
Note: the old woman who lived in my house since 1953 and raised 7 children (yes, 7 children!) in it has LOVELY perennials and an actual flower cutting garden. However, she went into a nursing home about 4 years ago. Then, her adult son lived here for a year and according to my neighbors, didn't do much with the back yard at all. Then, last summer when I had just moved in, I focused on my indoors and front yard only. This year, since I don't have may "indoor expenses," I am focusing mainly on the outdoors, and definitely on making my backyard with its fabulous space and deck to be a little sanctuary for reading over the summer time. It took me about 2 hours, but I cleared out all of the weeds, leaves, and crapolla!
Before 1: (leaf bags that I did a week ago before major rain, great! And, our local trash guys aren't picking up leaf/yard bags yet!)
AFTER 1: Whew! Cannot wait to plant some leafy green shrubs and flowers!
BEFORE 2: Other side of the deck. This flower bed is HUGE!!!
1. Did the first mow of the front yard
2. Spread insect disease killer
3. Spread Scotts Turfbuilder
4. Weeded front yard flower beds
5. Planted spring blooming perennials
6. Planted summer blooming perennial bulbs
April 24:
1. Mowed the yard
2. ATTACKED the overgrown, weedy flower beds. Here are the pics....
Note: the old woman who lived in my house since 1953 and raised 7 children (yes, 7 children!) in it has LOVELY perennials and an actual flower cutting garden. However, she went into a nursing home about 4 years ago. Then, her adult son lived here for a year and according to my neighbors, didn't do much with the back yard at all. Then, last summer when I had just moved in, I focused on my indoors and front yard only. This year, since I don't have may "indoor expenses," I am focusing mainly on the outdoors, and definitely on making my backyard with its fabulous space and deck to be a little sanctuary for reading over the summer time. It took me about 2 hours, but I cleared out all of the weeds, leaves, and crapolla!
Before 1: (leaf bags that I did a week ago before major rain, great! And, our local trash guys aren't picking up leaf/yard bags yet!)
AFTER 1: Whew! Cannot wait to plant some leafy green shrubs and flowers!
BEFORE 2: Other side of the deck. This flower bed is HUGE!!!
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