skip to main content

Design Dilemma Garden

HELP NEEDED! What do we do with the outside? Pics in the comments box.

Adrienne Alford

last year

last modified: last year

Pictures in the comments box.
What would you recommend with our front and side yard?

And the design of our front door too?

The front section needs to create curb appeal, somewhere to entertain, have privacy and have people come to the front door (currently old glass and green framed door). The sideyard won't be used often probably....unless you have great ideas and it looks inviting I suppose lol.

We have been here for 12yrs and just keep going round and round in what to do.... pave the front yard and plant/fence out the borders or extend the deck out over a big chunk of the grassed area and plant out the rest.

I don't know!

Thank you in advance.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

Adrienne Alford
Original Author
last year
User
last year
I'm a bit confused -- you seem to want the front yard to do everything !

Privacy , entertaining , curb appeal , paving , gardens , front door -- you can't have all of that because of the conflicts between those .

Do you have room out the back for a private entertaining area , for example ?

But even more basic -- I like the house , the curb appeal -- but the brown stain doesn't gel with me . If you paint the 'edge' ( 200 x 50 or thereabouts by the look of it ) and steps in the same tone as your trim ( the slightly darker blue tone ) you'd get away with the rest of the terrace being that brown , or go for a browny silver re-stain . A yellow door would really stand out , a slightly lighter brighter blue would tie in , whilst a gloss black will mean it won't stand out as much , but look classy .

Then I'd do a narrow garden around the edge of the grass , a letterbox at the start of the path ( well , slightly to the side haha ) , something nice but unique in the wall colour , with you street numbers in the blue . That will guide people as to where to 'enter' towards the front door .

The entertaining area ( a bbq and seating ) I'd try to do out the back , but you could do it in that 'downstairs' area to the left of the garages , using darker toned or stained bamboo panels or even laser cut steel or alloy panels mixed in there , maybe even ply painted your blue trim colour mixed with 'natural' bamboo or matchstick type panels . Of course , if you really want private , you could do that area in solid 2.4 mtr tall concrete walls , rendered and painted to match the house , but due to the size and narrowness of the area , i'd personally go for something more casual , more breezy and open , but each to their own .
Adrienne Alford thanked User
Related Discussions
What to do with the fireplace?
Q
Comments (12)
Is that a window in center above the hearth? Is rock just a facade? Looks like you have a mixture of furniture styles. Windows look more of the modern style while drapes are traditional. I would say pick one style and go with that. From the windows I'd be leaning modern/ contemporary. If the rock is just stuck on wall take it off. Replace with horizontal wood planks stained same as your door casings. No mantle. If that is a window I would either have a stained glass insert made (again using modern lines) or do a faux stain glass painting treatment to add some visual interest.
...See More
what can I do with this space?? help!
Q
Comments (11)
Wow, that was awesome Mark, thanks for that and everyone else. I thought about the desk facing the other way actually, to avoid feeling enclosed I do have really great views there so I thought about a small couch and maybe a bookshelf on the back, but having the dining table in front is probably not the best either.... complicated :( Here are a couple more pics, today was a beautiful day so I managed to get more of the views
...See More
Not sure what to do to my kitchen
Q
Comments (17)
Lighting - pendants over the servery bench should be another feature that complements your chosen kitchen surfaces. So whilst I love the copper pendants in picture 1.. They could work depending on the rest of your decor and would be a highlight in a neutral white/timber kitchen = Good! If you choose copper you would complement it with a couple of copper bench top items. These are beautiful! (I collect copper because I love it, my kitchen pendants are silver, I renovated to sell in the next 3-5 years) You will see a picture starting to form in your mind and there is nothing wrong with making a statement with your lighting. I found that when I wasn't sure I would get a very strong sense of what was right and what was wrong for a space, then common sense or passion would determine the outcome! Here are another couple that might work, look her on Houzz under lighting, search pendants, then have fun looking!Timber tones with black or white to complement your cabinets... or Statement white pendants for a bit of quirky fun! Your personality can be reflected in your lighting and accessories creating that point of difference from the predictable white on timber look. Plus don't forget the power of greenery to punctuate the theme!
...See More
Need help deciding on what colour to stain floor boards
Q
Comments (8)
Get the professional sander guys in to repair the living areas and kitchen but don't go too dark with the stain as it will kill the lovely grain in the matai. I'm thinking a couple of tones richer than the timber knots showing in your photo, definitely no yellow tone at all. In NZ stepping on to carpet especially in a kiwi winter is so much nicer than a cold floor board shock!!! A nice area rug for the lounge and you're done.
...See More
Adrienne Alford
Original Author
last year
Thanks @User for your thoughts. Yes I know I would like that front area to do everything lol...mainly because we don't have a back section and the front piece is the piece that gets the sun right till the evening. Thanks for your suggestions...the trim is a charcoal colour and the roof is black (must admit pics do look blue). Have been thinking of cedar or black or charcoal door but actually, your suggestion of blue is interesting.

Sponsored

More Discussions

Traditional Japanese Timber Frame

0

Rimu Kitchen, help!

3

Did you know that e-design exists and would you ever consider it?

0

mid century ceiling

0

Pergola company recommendations

0