buying a fixer upper and need help!!!
I need advice on what to do with this landscaping and what would you do with the arched front? There is the arched wall and behind that arched wall it is about a 12 foot distance from the house which allows for a garden of some sort within that section.
To the left, not shown is a circular drive with an island leading to the side garage.
The overhead photo shows how the arched wall has wood beams connecting it to the house. I am really at a loss how to develop a mid-century modern feel and stick to something more formal.
I am in South Florida if that helps with decisions.
Comments (18)
gtcircus
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
ana474
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Moving to rent old apartment. Help needed with paint advice & arrangem
Comments (9)Hello Fiona, It looks like you have a place which could be nice with a little care. In answer to your questions: As many coats as it takes. Paint a coat, look at it when it's dry, if you can still see the paint underneath it needs another coat. Usually 2-3 coats are needed but more for covering really bright colours like that small patch of purple in the living room. I can't suggest a specific brand for another country. A folding screen / room divider would definitely work without causing problems. They are not difficult to make or you can buy one. You absolutely should not surround it on all sides without checking what it is and how much airflow it needs. Probably treated wood for outside furniture. Plastic is cheaper but doesn't look that good and can risk being blown off the terrace in high winds. Metal is more expensive and more likely to get stolen if there's a chance of that. Maybe look out for second hand stuff? Floor lamps would be the obvious choice for light. You can get cheap ones from somewhere like IKEA or again maybe second hand. This is the biggest problem you've listed. Here in the UK the laws for renting say bathrooms and kitchens need extractor fans. Perhaps check if there's a similar law there? If there isn't, you can ask the landlord if you can fit one and if you're lucky bargain for them to pay part of the cost. They are not that expensive. You probably won't convince them to help you. Those look like the remains of roots from ivy or something similar, and might be hard to get off. You could probably rent a pressure washer and do that wall and the terrace at the same time. A couple of notes on paint: - You don't need washable paint for every wall. The hall will need it, and the kitchen and bathroom (or special kitchen/bathroom paints, definitely try to get that for the bathroom) - Yes white is the cheapest colour to buy though Magnolia (yuck!) is as cheap here. White is also the worst colour to paint with as you get 'snow blind' and can't tell what you've already painted. White can also look quite cold. One thing you can do is have a painting/decorating party with your friends. You supply plenty of food and drink and they spend a few hours painting. You can get a lot done in a short time this way and it's quite fun to do. It's a lot less daunting than trying to do it all yourself....See Moresingle parent with 2 children under 3 in small apartment needs help
Comments (13)Hi, I understand the pain of space limitation, but it can definitely be made to work with some clever use of storage. Do you have a floorplan you can share? There are sofas out there with storage too which might help store toys etc. in addition to Sonia's footstool suggestion. The key is to try to find furniture which can double up as storage, whilst also being ruthless about how much stuff you choose to keep. Beds are another great opportunity for additional storage....See MoreHelp with Ground Floor Layout
Comments (10)I don’t think the dining space towards the back of the room is big enough for the table and I think there are kitchen compromises too. I would choose your plan with the kitchen at the back. personally I would have a hob on the island and the sink to the side- I would also have a big fridge, big freezer and eye level ovens You don’t have to have a downstairs utility room, the entranceway looks big enough for built in storage for coats and the vacuum, there is a good chance the washing machine can go upstairs so you could create an extra reception room downstairs. I suspect it will be easier to use the space if you knock the two front receptions together....See Morehallway help I need help .. flooring and Shoe Storage
Comments (30)Thanks Isla for responding . I don’t have a fortune so I won’t be getting anything custom built 😀 I will keep exploring i agree, I am sure there is something out there I can probably use . The flooring .. love the idea of tiles in the porch but I really need to move away from carpet in the hallway as the flow of taking coats and shoes off for my little ones is a little congested at the entrance . I think I considered LVT because I eventually want to extend the flooring from the hallway into the dining room through to the kitchen. I would image tiles can be cold and slippery. What would be your choice if tiles aren’t the option ? What’s your experience with LVT ? I did consider kardean but this seems pricy and not sure how it outweighs LVT such as amtico. Look forward to hearing your thoughts ....See Moregtcircus
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
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l pinkmountain
6 years ago
emmarene9
6 years agoAna474, I see that you and I share some landscaping sensibilities. Even if cleaned up, I do not find the current design appealing. The property is roomy but two islands oddly dwarf the entrance to the house. The fact that one island is a bit high makes it seem to loom over the arched entrance. I see no design reason for those beds to exist. I would create extra beds only after I had run out of room at the house itself.
The foundation bed to the left of the arch is deep but has been designed poorly. It could be made beautiful. On the overhead map I see another overgrown area off the right side corner of the house. I think that area needs attention too.
I am not pleased with the Ring Around the Rosie paving either. It offers a path to nowhere and is just perplexing. I believe the paving should lead to the entrance and if you want interesting paths on the property they would be better somewhere else.
If I had purchased this home I would remove both the front island beds and never look back. The trees you find attractive can stay and the area may need to be somewhat elevated but could be much lower.
I would replace with lawn leaving a smallish bed at the base of the tree.
When someone calls their house a fixer upper I think of it as a long time project. If you are not in a rush I think you can do a great deal of the work on your own. You did not say if you have experience with garden clean up. I've done a bit of it for friends and neighbors over the years. It is tiresome and tedious and dirty but I don't find it difficult at all. A good thing about doing the work yourself is that you can familiarize yourself with what plants you have, discover their names and then consider if you want to have a goal or removing them some day. There is a Name That Plant forum that you may find useful.
The one area I might hire out for is the two islands that I would demo. Someone with a Bobcat could smooth them out quickly. Hand dig and remove plants you want to keep in advance. If you want to pile the soil somewhere else for a new island I would consider the view from inside the house.
Good luck and please post update photos.
gtcircus
6 years agogtcircus
6 years agol pinkmountain
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoana474
6 years ago
gtcircus