S + F.... Spring Fever!

Spring has sprung in Boston.  It is great.  With warm weather means that it is time to enjoy our backyard and ... it is not quite ready.  I have talked endlessly here, here and here... about the fact that our yard is "ghetto".  It is an utter nightmare and no I am not exaggerating!  It is a small yard... but with potential- if we only knew what the heck we were doing!

Here are some cool, small backyard inspiration photos!

Here is what is on our "wish list":

- Cozy patio area with build in benches

- Shrubs- easy to maintain (impossible to kill) that look good year round

- Landscaping that has highs and lows (tall things to soften fence and low flowers/shrubbery

- Shed (get rid of our old shed and build a smaller more aesthetically pleasing replacement)

- Firepit (husband request.... I am on the fence with this one)

- Expansive (for our small yard) and soft and plush grass

- Small planter box for some herbs and a few veggies

That is a long list...hunh?  Well, we never take the easy route around here.  We are hoping to start this project next week... so stay tuned!

Until next time....xoxo

 

W + B = Window Boxes

So, as I mentioned earlier this summer, we are working on our backyard.  Well since it has been hot as BLEEP here this summer... that has really halted.  We need to get it to a place is non-embarrassment in September and then re-group in the spring.  Right now it is truly disaster zone.


In the meantime, I want to not think about my lack of a green thumb and focus on beautiful plants and flowers as created by someone else.  I have always loved window boxes!  If I could keep things alive, I would have window boxes all over my house... but I do know my limits!

How pretty are these though?

Photo from My Sweet Savannah

Photo from Hooks and Lattice

Photo from Martha Stewart

Photo from Martha Stewart

Photo from Post Road Vintage

Photo from Dirt Simple

There are plenty of unique options.  You can use different materials and switch thing up depending on season, color, or your skill-set!  Until next time....xoxo

L is for Lilacs!

Right now.... I am a bit obsessed with Lilacs!  I was at my chiropractor last week and stepped out of the car and almost fell over from the incredible smell of lilacs in the yard next door.  The flowers were beautiful but more than that... they smelled heavenly!  On my way home, it was decided.  We need to have lilacs in our yard! Our yard is a BIG work in progress right now.  Our front yard was last year's project, so that is in good shape, but the back yard is sketchy.  I mean... really sketchy!

I contacted my childhood next door neighbor, I call her the "Flower Goddess" for some lilac suggestions.  In short she said that they love sun, come in a wide assortment of colors and styles, and the more you pick the better!  I would love to put these in our backyard, but I don't think it will work.  Our backyard has two very old very large trees that overhang our yard.  It makes are yard  not too hot which is great, but since it gets only dappled sunlight, it is probably not lilac friendly.  I think the front yard is our best bet.  As you may have realized from reading this blog....I like color schemes and my front yard is no different.  We have a white house with black shutters and brick sides and I like my landscaping to coordinate.  So, our front yard is just green shurbs (of course) and flowers and bushes that are shades of deep red/crimson and a bit of purple.  If I knew what any of it was... I would tell you.  I can tell you that we have alyssum spreading ground cover (white flowers), some dark red flowering shrubs and black and white tulips.  I think a lilac bush would be right at home!

Check out some amazing lilac inspiration.  Though these photos will not capture the smell!

Photo:  Doug Green's Beginner Gardening

Photo:  Vanya Amelda

Photo:  Lola's Musings...

Photo:  David Beaulieu (by way of About.com)

Photo:  Away to Garden

Do you live in Boston and want to see and smell some amazing lilas for yourself?  Check out Arnold Arboreteum's Lilac Sunday.... this Sunday!    Check out their link for all the details!  

I am going to go home and smell the liliacs today... literally!  Until next time.....xoxo

D....Dreaming of a better backyard!

With winter approaching in Boston....I am already dreaming of spring so we can begin working on our backyard. I sometimes drive around my town and envy others yards. When we moved into our home as newlyweds 2 years ago...we fenced in our yard for our dog. And then.... we did not really do much of anything. It has only gone downhill from there. We have a small back yard (thankfully) but it is a perfect long rectangle which is perfect for us. It has great potential. I am a designer at heart but my backyard has left me stumped. In search of some inspiration that I can totally plagarize... I hit the intranet. I now have a library of images that has me motivated and full of ideas (backyard and beyond). Come March.... I have to get the hubby to take out his wallet (without complaining) and to put in some real manpower!

In the meantime I will finalize my plan. So many options.... fountain or fireplace/firepit? Deck or pavers? Tree, flowers, shrubs... oh my!

One of our big challenges is that we don't have a garage (our garage is now an amazing Great Room)! We have an old shed in our backyard which we need and cannot afford to replace right now... so I have to find a way to deal. I have made VERY clear to hubby that the 5th wedding anniversary is "wood".... but can I wait that long? Whoever built our current shed was "on crack". Not only is it an ugly box totally lacking any design, but they put the shed right in the middle of the yard! I dream of building a pretty "corner" shed that is pretty and more properly placed!!!

Thought I would share some of my favorite pictures.
I can safely say that aspects of all of these will find their way into our yard. Curvy mulch beds, pretty plants, container gardens, fireplaces and ... I think I need a fountain too. Throw in some cute furniture and perfect pavers and all my dreams will be fullfilled. :)

Until Next Time....xoxo