Wednesday, May 07, 2014

Sweet Staycation in Suburbia

This is the week that we usually go to Cornwall but we decided to stay at home instead, have a staycation. Both of us felt that we ought to stay this week, to use the time to re-acquaint ourselves to our house and sort a few very minor jobs left to do (they won't go anywhere even if we left, so best get them out of the way soon). And relax in our own turf of course.

Still, the cats get to relax more at home than we do
The changes made in the house were so drastic that both of us are still getting the hang of things even months after everything was finished, as well as enjoying the novelty of the changes (honeymoon stage). Apart from the slight change of layout and total redecoration, we did a major decluterring and updating that made life simpler, calmer, and organised. But a lot of familiarity has disappeared as well, and mostly that's a good thing. It feels like we just moved into a different house altogether, indoors at least.

A few snippets and little previews of our home...
Much like the conservatory the rest of the house is white with colour pop, only much more minimal
Our home is winter proof - bright and light even in the depths of winter
A little homage to our pets
Back to outdoors, one of the jobs I specifically wanted to tackle was the sorting out of the front garden: to clean the drive, remove the ailing plants and change them to more drought and neglect tolerant plants.


The pots are grouped in relation to how the car is usually parked
The front door is blue and most of the decor in the porch is blue, plus we had plenty of blue glazed pots already so sticking with this colour scheme made sense. Initially I wanted to go traditional, buy two very large blue glazed pots and plant them with lollipop clipped bay trees with ivies trailing at the base. Large pots plus tall plants equals instant impact. But we have so many plants already as it is so why not use them? I have a selection of  surplus drought, sun loving, and neglect tolerant plants so might as well use them. Plus they are exotic too which reflects the planting at the back.

Any weeds on crevices have been treated with glyphosate (you need to leave the foliage for it to work)


Sorting out the front was long overdue, we had left it scruffy far too long and must admit found it embarrassing. Apart from the reasons I mentioned on my blog post about it yesterday, the front garden is not really a place conducive to hanging out and spending time which makes it easier to neglect and ignore it altogether. Still, the excuses have to end.

A bit non descript yet and an investment in time but should eventually size up and make more of a presence - Nolina nelsonii
The only one of the original batch of plants here that survived the cull. It had a drastic haircut but I'm hoping it will recover nicely and look good again - Yucca gloriosa 'Variegata'
A group of ornamental Alliums for some seasonal display. I can stash the pot away or replace the planting once they go over
We live on a very quiet road in stereotypical suburbia. We have lovely neighbours and we say hi and chat to each other whenever there's a chance but most of the time everyone just keeps to themselves. Knowing how quiet the street can be I had no reservations hanging out there for unusually long periods of time to sort out the potted plants. I was however out at the front long enough to be able to catch up with various neighbours at different times and engage in a little chit chat. Topics of conversation? Very suburban sort of topics too like gardening, cooking, housework, schools, pets, etc.

Nolina parviflora
Eryngium agavifolium Giant Form
Thuja plicata 'Whipcord'
Nerium oleander
Agave ovatifolia
Agave salmiana var. ferox
Agave montana
Agave parryi var. huachucensis
The advantage of the big pot and lollipop bay option would have been to conceal that drain pipe but hopefully this little one will do that job eventually - Nolina parviflora
The turnover of residents and home ownership on our immediate area is very low so anyone who sells and moves out is guaranteed to be the main topic of conversation. I just found out that our neighbour on the house directly opposite ours is moving out, which was a shame really as she is very, very nice and friendly. And talking to her later on she was unhappy to move out too, but had to due to circumstances. Crossing the street and saying our goodbyes and giving our well wishes to them by their front door, I turned back and it struck me I haven't seen a view of our house from across the street before. With all the cleaning up and sorting the potted plants done, the house look dignified. The next day I crossed the street and took photos.


And reminded myself never ever to neglect the front of the house ever again.

Mark :-)

23 comments :

  1. Oh your front garden is looking most smart and welcoming after the work you have done Mark. Being out there in the front is one way of meeting your neighbours too. Conversations about "Gardening, cooking, housework, schools, pets" may just be the start of some lifelong friendships :)

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    1. Thanks Anna! There's very little else I can do plant wise there due to lack of space but at least I can make it presentable. Some are good friends now. And it's also handy to be friendly to all as they take in your parcel deliveries if you're not around :))

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  2. Sometimes it's nice to stay at home instead of gallivanting around the countryside. Glad you got the front sorted, it looks very neat and tidy now. Every once in a while I catch a glimpse of my house and front garden from across the street while at the mailbox, or from the car when driving away, and it's sometimes a revelation.

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    1. Indeed Alison , nice to stay at home and just get all the little bits out of the way, and relax of course. Going back from work or anywhere else, the tendency is just to rush to get in and not look, it was nice to see it from a distance and actually pay attention :)

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  3. I wonder if any of your neighbors have the slightest idea how famous you guys, your garden and of course Twinkles and Knickers are?

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    1. Lol! I doubt it and not sure about the famous bit either Loree :))

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  4. You can get so used to something like the path to the front door, you don't really even process it. It's useful to take a critical look at what you take for granted every once in awhile and shake things up like you've done. All of a sudden you process - and appreciate - the space. I love the collection of blue pots.

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    1. Thanks Kris and so true! Life gets so busy and rushed at times, and it's nice that every so often take the time to stop and take in what you've got.

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  5. Hello Mark and Gaz,

    What a good idea to stay at home for a change and enjoy your own lovely surroundings without any of the hassle of travelling.

    Your blue glazed pots look terrific and it is such a good idea to combine permanent plants with temporary ones which can be removed and replaced with seasonal flowers. With your new arrangements, there is a great welcome home right on your doorstep!

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    1. Hi Jane and Lance, one other thing that swayed us to stay was that Gaz has been doing loads of work related travelling lately, which made staying put even more appealing. Looking forward to seeing all the plants bulk up and get taller :)

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  6. I rather like the neighbourly interactions you gain from gardening out the front, shame you are losing a really nice neighbour, hope the replacement is as good. I like the glimpses of your interior, the colour pops prevent it from being cold, enjoy getting to know your new home!

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    1. Hi Janet, we met the new neighbours yesterday and he said, without any prompting from us that he's looking forward to planting palm trees in the garden. We like him already!!

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    2. Well that sounds perfect - plant swapping opportunities, perhaps, given time.

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  7. Looking great guys, first impressions count and the front of house is looking fantastic. Your home is just as I imagined, bright and airy. Have a wonderful week. Paul

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  8. The blue containers look great and filling them with tough plants was so smart. I enjoy staycations. I'm such a homebody. Family trait.

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    1. Hi Evan, it's great to be a homebody :)) have to say I can describe myself as such too.

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  9. It's tough to have to choose when you only have a few days off and Cornwall is such a fabulous destination but home is lovely too. You've put your time to good use though - your blue pots look fantastic, very stylish, love the choice of slate as well! It sounds as though you know your neighbours well enough to feel secure in leaving your pots (and plants!) out in the front. It must have been lovely to meet up with your neighbours as you worked on the pots, it gives a real sense of community when you know people to say hello to!

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    1. Thanks Caro! Speaking of slate, have found that only green slate, which looks more like light blue is the most subtle of the lot, the other types very strong coloured. Touch wood, haven't had any stolen pots yet....

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  10. I like those pots so much!! they look great and I like your house! It is funny how Nerium oleander is exotic for you and is so common here in Madrid...actually it is native to the south of Spain.

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    1. Thanks Lisa :) seeing the Nerium oleander looking green even in hot summer days in the Med made me decide that yes they'll be fine at the front. As long as winter doesn't get nasty though!

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  11. I love a good vacation at home. Everything is looking fantastic--I can't wait for the full reveal!

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