MAINTAINING YOUR CURB APPEAL

EVEN IN A DROUGHT

Something I have found to be an interesting truth...

not everyone thinks they deserve to have a beautiful home.
Some people believe they have the right to remain - mediocre

Its something I struggle to understand.

Even if I felt that I was somehow unworthy of a pretty place to live,
I would believe with all my heart that my boys deserved a lovely home
and I would do my best to create that for them.

Some beauty you create
and

then again, some places in this world are just naturally beautiful.

Norway, for example

via

via Pinterest

My boy took a little trip there this year - 

via Pinterest

It was quite an adventure.  From the photos he took, I'm convinced its one of the beautiful places... Norway

and New Zealand.  

via Pinterest

I can't think of a single inch of NZ that isn't beautiful.

via Pinterest

I had the great privilege of living and working in this lovely country
for a few years....

via Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Those not privileged to live there, have to travel to experience that much beauty....

or attempt to create a little piece of Eden on our own.

I have been trying to do that in my yard in the midst of a drought...
talk about a losing battle.
Today I noticed all the brown patches on the front patch of lawn had been torn up -
creating even more brown ugliness -
we think raccoons are to blame.
They made quite a mess of things.

California is well into several years of drought and requiring water cutbacks.
As I watch the grass grow browner and browner
and the potted plants droop and die where flowers used to bloom...
I  realize Eden doesn't always work out as planned.

The lush garden of my dreams will have to wait until the drought ends.

For now, we will tidy, seek drought friendly alternatives,
live with brown grass, and pray for rain.

Here are some tips for curb appeal in the midst of a drought...

1.  Shrubs require less water than grass.
Lawns need lots of water.  Shrubs require much less.

Reduce the size of your lawn by widening the planting borders

Plant drought tolerant shrubs and plants

You will be surprised which plants are hardy and can handle less water.

Perennials tend be more drought tolerant than annuals, but there are some annuals that will be able to handle less water.  Check with your local nursery for native plants and drought tolerant annuals and perennials.

This colorful border (above) is also drought tolerant.

2.  Add a little more hardscape

Who could resist this little seating area in a corner of their garden?

 Gravel between the pavers or flagstone makes your patio water permeable.

Reduce the size of your lawn by adding a patio.

no more lawn here - plants, gravel and a fountain charm their way to the front door

Pavers are engineered so that water is able to go through to the soil beneath and back into the ground waters below.  A dry creek serves the same purpose and can add a focal point.

3.  Replace the Lawn

Choosing a drought tolerant ground cover will greatly reduce your watering needs, although all young plants require enough water to get their roots established.  The above green carpet is creeping thyme.  The same ground cover blooms below, providing a carpet of color.

Trailing Rosemary (below) - also drought tolerant

So, create your  Eden.  Just make it more drought friendly!

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ANSWERS TO READERS QUESTIONS

Hi Claudine,  I stumbled upon your blog and other sites while searching Pinterest for color ideas for my home.  I was recently given a code violation by the City of Baltimore for peeling paint on my house and have been given 30 days to get it taken care of or face some hefty fines. I have spent most of my morning today admiring your blogs/websites and see that you have offered others suggestions for paint colors.  This is a photo of my house and I would be so grateful if you could help me or point me in the right direction for colors that would complement the brick.  

 

I have been admiring a house not too far from me that has been painted SW Outerspace (it looks dark blue/grey in the sun) with white trim, not sure if it would be too dark with the brick.

Sherwin Williams OUTERSPACE

 It is not brick but some sort of siding so the entire house is that color.  I think I would like something in the blue/grey or even colonial blue family but am open to any pallet or suggestions from someone who does this for a living. I look forward to any ideas that might have.  Thanks, Joan.

Hi Joan!   You've hit on a good color to go with the reddish brick on your home.  A nice cool tone is a good compliment.  The blue/gray color family as well as the gray color family would be good choices for your brick.  I don't think Outerspace would be too strong a color, but it may make your home look small.  Sometimes intense deep colors can do that. Here are some alternatives.  I'm also throwing in a gray or two.

Benjamin Moore BLUE NOTE

This may be a better choice for your home.  Not as intense.  See the reddish brick on the foundation and how they compliment each other.

Benjamin Moore MINERAL ALLOY

Sherwin Williams SLATE TILE

 There is a little of the red brick on this next picture to help you picture the color next to it.

Sherwin Williams GRANITE PEAK

Sherwin Williams STORM CLOUD

I would definitely keep the white trim, and I'd add a distinct door color so that the white trim pops and the door says 'welcome'!

Good luck!

Hi!
I am attaching a picture of my home that we will be painting soon. I have
tried Several colors and we are having a hard time deciding on a good base
color, but we know we will be using a lighter color for the trim and off-black
Shutters. We want to stay away from anything with pink, flesh tones.

Here is my question: Can you suggest a Sherwin Williams color (or colors)
you would use to make the house look better and tie in the stone, front door
and Roof better?
 
I am desperate at this point.
Thank you so much!

Laura 
Marietta, Georgia

Laura, to dispel the pinky fleshy tones - find a color with a gray undertone - which will also be the perfect tones to tie in the stone and roof colors.

Benjamin Moore VALLEY FORGE TAN

I can show you palettes and give you suggestions, but you will ultimately have to hold samples up to your home, against the stone, etc. to see which best fits your light and the existing materials.

Sherwin Williams DORIAN GRAY

Sherwin Williams COPLEY GRAY

Benjamin Moore ROCKPORT GRAY

 A lighter color would make the stone stand out more.  

 Darker hues will make it blend in more.

Choose 2 or 3 of these to paint onto white foam core board and carry them outside to see how they look in the sunlight, and next to the stone, etc.

Benjamin Moore GRAY HUSKIE

Benjamin Moore CHELSEA GRAY

Benjamin Moore COPLEY GRAY

GOOD LUCK!

THIS IS HALLOWEEN - ( AND XIMENA'S HOUSE COLORS)

END OF SUMMER - ALREADY?

Mr B and I were talking about our Summer.  Actually he said "What Summer?" - and it's true
it has completely escaped us this year...
It started with the slab leaks (2 of them)
waaaaay back in November of 2013.
With the flooring already torn up, the second one did little damage
more inconvenience than anything
but it delayed us so completely that the architect had to make revisions to the plans...
new laws...
and now the contractor is delayed because he had to take another job in the interim...

Then in June in the middle of doing a wedding for the most darling couple (can't wait to see the photos)
I ended up in the hospital with blood clot
kinda scary...
Mr. B. won't let me out of his sight - (like if he can see me, then nothing bad can happen...adorable)
but in all seriousness recovery is taking a lot longer than I ever realized...

Then my dear, sweet, 97 year old mother passed away
and the funeral will officially end our Summer.

If I can quote Mr. B again, "I don't ever want to repeat this Summer!"
Ever.
Yeah.

On a good note...

My son graduated college, AND started a new fabulous job in the Bay area.

So proud of him!

I needed a distraction, so I

hobbled through Rogers Gardens Halloween display.

RG can pick up my spirits any time of the year, 

but seeing their Halloween display is one of my favorites.  

Don't expect to see stuff lined up on shelves like Target or Michaels -

at Rogers Gardens, Halloween retail is theater.

[I took way too many photographs...

so, I'm breaking them up into two posts ]

PART I

There is always a theme - this year it is "Hauntingly Beautiful"

It was full of gold damask draperies and accents

and lots of skulls... so fun! 

 the chandeliers and spot lighting set everything aglow

( I love skellies and skulls at Halloween!)

It's impossible to see everything in one trip.

My dress form, Matilda, needs some of these...

Super cute paper medallions.  Matilda would love them!

The wall of transforming photographs - where they go from normal to creepy - was pretty cool  

especially if you walk from left to right in front of them and watch them all turn into monsters...

the whole wall of them....

(wanted to take the clock home, but didn't think I could sneak it out in my purse..)

These would look adorable on the front porch, lighted at night. 

Folk artist Vergie Lightfoot, creates these cute creepy pumpkins with the realistic eyes....

 but at this boutique, it was the skellies and skulls that ruled

softly lit by dozens of chandeliers

glittering pumpkins, crystal cobwebs, and even sparkling rats...

Gotta get me some of those glasses!

Halloween will be chaos at my house this year.

Inside will be a construction zone.

so the plan is to just decorate the front door, patio and walkway.

I have 3 new skellies still tucked in their boxes that I'd love to use somewhere

plus the cutie I found at RG...(show you my treasure in the next post)

stay tuned for more photos....

I still want to find a little 2-3 foot articulated skeleton so I can make this wreath...

I think I need it for my door..

or maybe just a skull and a few bones will do?

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QUESTION FROM A READER:

Would you be able to help me by giving me ideas of colors to paint the exterior of my house? I am a single mom and I started  to save money to paint it. When I bought it in 2011 I knew it would need to be painted  soon. 

Thank you very much.

Ximena Fernandez

Bend, Oregon

Ximena,
I think we need to make a good contrast color statement on this home, because the beige isn't doing a thing for it, right now.  Its a little to 'fleshy' looking.  I'd go with a grayed down color - or a gray - and provide plenty of contrast with fresh white trim which will brighten and lift your home - especially around the windows - reflecting a little more light inside.  Oregon - famous for its overcast and rainy days - needs a little more contrast in color to keep from looking bland.   Bring in a black or near black color for accents if you have them - and add a bold bright door.  Who can have the blues with a bright colored door?   Here are some color suggestions:  (I generally recommend Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams - but if you can't find them in your location most hardware stores can color match them.)

Try: Benjamin Moore Smoke Embers

Try: Benjamin Moore - Amherst Gray

Try: Benjamin Moore, Chelsea Gray

In the beige tones - make sure there is a healthy helping of gray so that it doesn't turn fleshy looking, and maintains that calm, soothing, sophistication.

Try:  Benjamin Moore, Hampshire Gray

(an olive green/gray)

Benjamin Moore, Bennington Gray
with Benjamin Moore, Hale Navy shutters.

Benjamin Moore, Copley Gray with
Benjamin Moore, Sea Pearl trim

Benjamin Moore, Midnight Oil with
Sherwin Williams, Dover White trim.

Now pick a door color.  One that will be cheerful even on a Pacific Northwest gray day!

Good luck!!