Garden Renovation Project: What would you do differently?
Julian H
11 months ago
last modified: 11 months ago
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Julian H
11 months agoJonathan
11 months agoRelated Discussions
Are you working on a garden project?
Comments (10)If you want to replace your ash tree with something that won't grow too large you could try a white-beam, it's a deciduous tree, will grow to around 20 feet high and has pretty leaves that are a silvery colour underneath. Trees like silver birch can be great in narrow gardens as they don't cast too big a shadow. We have a sout&west facing garden but it was always in the shade because of a huge ash and a very wide yew tree... They've both gone now the whit beam made an excellent replacement. Be careful with lelandii, notoriously difficult for you, or your neighbours to grow anything in its shade or beneath it as it sucks up all the moisture from the ground, it can cause heated disagreements. It will require a lot of maintenance to control it but also make your own garden feel very narrow, which may not be a problem of you have an unusually large garden for a new build. How about topping a fence with trellis and growing some climbing shrubs, a much softer look, perhaps some scented things like honeysuckle or roses, and with the benefit of being able to plant underneath. If you like the sculptured look grasses in a raised bed look great, there is such a variety and they are pretty low maintenance. If you choose to have a sandpit for your child/ren remember it will need a cover or all the cats in the neighbourhood will claim it! A seating area that you can get to without walking on grass is essential or you won't use it as much as you could if it's been wet weather, be really aware of where the sun falls in your garden, don't have that area too near the house if your garden faces North/east or you'll miss out most of the year. There is something to be said for not doing too much to a garden before you've spent a whole year there to see just how much sun it gets, depends how keen you are to get on with it though!...See MoreWhich piece of renovation advice would you NOT pass on?
Comments (13)Probably the 'worst' advice, we had, was when renovating a house in Provence. Fitting everything into the high-ceiling bathroom including a shower area, meant we were persuaded to build in a bath across our nice window with shutters. (.."There may be someone who wants a bath"...). It was therefore never as easy to just walk up to the (wisteria-fringed) window and look out. In 10 years, we never (once) used the bath, far preferring the really nice walk in shower, as did all our guests. (The bath turned out to be a dust and spider catcher and was a (back) pain to clean). Lesson learned. Having renovated several properties and apartments since, we have simply removed baths and concentrated on installing lovely to walk in, spacious and safe showers with decent water pressure. We have never regretted putting in under-floor heating....See MoreClothing Store..? what would you do different?
Comments (5)I love the overhead lighting but there's so many it's quite distracting. I think there needs to be cabinet lighting as I wouldn't bother looking inside. If Theres room I'd add small leather footstools or benches at the end of the tie counters. Love the ceiling, is it copper sheeting? Whilst I love it I think there needs to be a contrast with the wood to break up all the warm tones like the dark wall at the end, although all the black clothes are doing quite a good job! I'd also add plants and/or stems, real or faux, to add a bit of life and maybe few accessories on the shelves. Are there mirrors anywhere? After all that though, I do love it and think it's spacious enough :)...See MoreWho would you gift a home renovation to?
Comments (21)I would gift it to my son who is buying his first house. It is a late victorian two-up two-down that needs to be gutted and refurbished. It has a small north-east facing backyard. All his money is going into the purchase and he will be trying to do work to the house in his free time as he goes along. He works so hard in his day job and gets so stressed I would love to lift his spirits and help him make his new home into his dream home (ish). Even guidance into knowing where to start and what to prioritise would be helpful. It is a red-brick with rising damp, woodworm, no heating, needs rewiring, new windows, new bathroom, new kitchen.......See MoreJulian H
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