Exterior Progress: Paint and Landscape

 This week has been all about landscape--my favorite part of the remodel.

 That's because it is my own design and I get to see my vision come to fruition.

On Monday, 40 white roses, 3 Italian Cypresses, 100 boxwoods and 20 climbing ficus were delivered.

We couldn't plant yet because we had to wait for Tuesday's delivery of 14 olive trees!

 Bright and early on Tuesday morning, literally before sunrise, they arrived!

For the front and side of the house, six Swan Hill multi-branch olive trees were laid out for planting.

 I chose Swan Hill trees because they are non-fruit bearing and disease resistant.

They will be perfect for the San Francisco Marina which gets its share of fog.

 Inside the courtyard, I chose standard Swan Hill trees.  

That means that they grow from a single trunk and can be placed right against the wall.

 As soon as the trees were planted, Martin began planting the boxwood hedge which will border everything.

 What a difference!

Notice the exterior paint is finished too?

 The painters worked non-stop the week before to get it done, knowing the landscape was scheduled to be installed this week.

 The exterior stucco is Benjamin Moore's Chelsea Gray.

The white is a custom match to the new windows and I outlined the interior mullions in black.

 Copper downspouts also were installed prior to planting.

They will patina to a dark copper in a few weeks.

 This morning, I met Martin to finalize the planting.

The three Italian Cypress will punctuate the corner of the house and white Iceberg roses will fill in everywhere else.

 That may seem like a lot of roses, but I feel that to introduce too many different plants in such a small area would create visual chaos.  

Besides, white roses are kind of my signature!

 Finally, the entry is looking like I envisioned.

The copper lights were installed as well, even though they aren't electrified yet.

 The courtyard is looking pretty dramatic with the tall standard trees.

The small plants beneath are "freeway ficus" which eventually will adhere to the wall and create a living green wall behind the trees.  

The trees will eventually be trimmed after they adapt to their new home.

I have plans for a fountain, both in the entry and the courtyard.

It's beginning to look like a home!

This week has been so much fun, not only because I got to play in the dirt, but also have met so many wonderful neighbors who have been so encouraging and complimentary about the remodel.

We can't wait to move in!

Murphy's New Yard: Behind the Scenes, Before and During Construction

The Plan.

Two months ago when we tackled this project, the first issue to address were the diseased Myoporum. They had a thrift and even after spraying, it was clear that they were dying. I suggested Pittosporum in their place. They're evergreen and grow fast.

So out they came, along with the plants underneath. The lawn was also removed.

We decided on an outdoor kitchen, wrapping around the existing brick patio where the portable one is sitting.

We also came up with the size and dimension for the pergola.

All the stepping stones were removed and a portion of the left porch would come out.

The plan included a spa, tucked behind the barbeque.

I was also pushing for a fireplace.

A lot of brainstorming, head scratching and trial and error went into the first days of construction.

Construction Phase.

After the initial demo, construction began on the pergola and kitchen.

About 3 feet of the porch was moved, making way for the kitchen.

Ward built an arbor over, mimicking the pergola.

Maureen and I went shopping for granite!

It was now time to address the cottage. We talked about making it a chicken coop with a sitting room.

I suggested replacing the door with new double French doors and creating a cottage retreat.

So, out came all the paint cans, tools and motorcycles!

The new bead board will be painted white, the cement floor will be gray.

A trellis was added to the top of the fence for privacy.

Meanwhile, the design for the fireplace proved to be challenging.

Originally, it would be a half moon brick area, large enough for two chairs.

I came up with the idea of a gravel path that would wrap around the grass, connecting the fireplace to the cottage, the main patio and also behind where the spa is, ending at the gate.

Laying out the border was a huge challenge. I think we tried three times and eventually got it right.

Laying out the border was a huge challenge. I think we tried three times and eventually got it right.

After the gravel went in, Maureen, Martin and I went shopping for plants at Pacific Nursery, a wholesale nursery in South San Francisco.

We bought three birch trees, four Japanese maples, lots of hydrangeas and azaleas, ferns, Mexican sage, and I don't know how many little boxwoods! Roses were previously ordered.

Ahhh, the homestretch!

When the grass gets installed, it is such a good feeling!

We were all very excited!

The only thing left to do now is finish up the painting, furnish the cottage and prepare for the party!

I enjoy designing gardens almost more than interiors! I have no formal education, just trial and error, and experience.

Here are a few tips, along with tried and true plants that grow in my zone:

*Favorite hardscape materials are brick, gravel and decomposed granite.

*Favorite shade loving plants are hydrangeas, azaleas, camelias, impatients and ferns.

*Favorite sun lovers are roses, Mexican sage, lavender, rosemary, geraniums and other bedding plants.

*Trees that do well in my zone are birch, maple, redwoods, locust and olive trees.

*Boxwoods always dresses up a garden.

*Bark or mulch added to the planting beds finish off the garden!

Murphy's New Yard-- The Final Reveal!

Murphy is very happy with his new yard!

So are his parents, Maureen and Ward!

Let's take a look at the final result:

The cottage has a new life now! It was cleaned out and gutted, then new bead board paneling was added. Double French doors really open up the room, connecting it to the back yard.

I furnished it with "leftovers" from my garage, Maureen's attic and whatever else we could find.

The mirror belonged to Ward's Mom. She would be so happy knowing it found a new home!

The wingback is a flea market find. The table and burlap skirt is from Ballard.

A gravel path connects the cottage to the fireplace. Tiny boxwood borders the new lawn.

Ten white "Iceberg" standard roses border the back fence with Mexican Sage in between.

Pittosporum sits behind the roses and will eventually provide the privacy they lost when the old, diseased Myoporum were removed.

Another "room" to sit on a cool evening and enjoy a glass of wine!

The fireplace surround was faux painted to mimic stone, which was a huge improvement from the way it came out of the box!

New low-voltage lighting was installed front and back.

We're not talking solar here. These lights will last forever!

They are all on a timer to go on at dusk and turn off at a set time later.

The outdoor kitchen sits just outside the back door, making it easily accessible.

Ward built it from scratch!

It has a state of the art barbeque, a real sink and a refrigerator stocked with Diet Dr. Pepper!

The countertop is black granite with a leather-like texture.

Eventually, pink jasmine will cover the arbor.

Behind the outdoor kitchen is a shady, private area where the new spa lives.

The coat rack is ever ready to hold white robes!

New pink hydrangeas, white azaleas and ferns will thrive in this shady area with dappled sunlight.

Sitting in the spa, the trickle of the fountain can be heard.

Mexican Sage surrounds it, since this gets full sun.

An arbor leads you through a "room" which was created to be a potting area, hiding garden tools, etc.

The front yard is beyond the gate.

The pergola was the perfect place for the bridal shower yesterday.

More on that later. . .

Let's take a peek at the front yard shall we!

The house didn't need much embellishing as it has wonderful curb appeal already!

The chimney is magnificent, so my goal was to uplight it at night and plant Japanese maples on either side of it that would grow and soften the façade.

New foundation plants, grass, more tiny boxwoods and low-voltage lights went in.

Flagstone stepping stones are set in the grass, connecting the side yard to the back yard gate, where the gravel begins. We decided on gravel for the back because Maureen loves the sound when you walk on it. It also solves some drainage issues.

More Pittosporum was planted next to the two fences that border the home, eventually growing tall enough to create more separation and privacy. When the new bark went in, dressing all the flower beds, we called it a day and said "done!"

Murphy loves to sit out front, keeping track of the neighborhood!

He loves his new yard!

Stay tuned for more photos of before and during construction, a tablescape and the bridal shower that was held yesterday, catered by my son!