Friday, March 29, 2024

A Backyard Haven for Mom

May 26, 2015 by  
Filed under Blog

Tending garden, John Silva, The Fix-It Professionals This month is for all moms, whether they’re in charge of a pack of human kids or a pack of furry kids. Often, flowers are the theme of Mother’s Day celebrations, and our warm spring climate makes plants an ideal gift. Maybe you’ve received some this year, or in past years, or you’re still thinking about how to use that nursery gift card. Here are some tips for how to prepare your garden and transform it into a relaxing, restful haven – something every parent can appreciate.

First, look at the bones
On a sunny day, take a look at where, and how, the sun falls in your yard. It might be sunny at 10:00 am, but by 3:00 the neighbor’s tree is throwing everything into total shade. How big is your yard? This will also help shape what kinds of plants, stones, planters, arbors, and other accessories will work in your space. What about your soil? In most of our area, it’s heavy clay. This can be difficult to work with, but is also rich in nutrients when properly amended.

What’s your style?
Chances are, you have some favorite flowers that you’d really like to include in your dream garden. If they’re large, like roses or hydrangeas, but your yard is small, all you need is one to serve as the focal point for a new bed, with shorter plants around it. Tall plants should be at the back of a planting, short plants at the front. Consider non-plant centerpieces like a large stone, a bird bath, a fountain, or a sculpture. Think about how organized you’d like it to be, too. Do you want an orderly, stately look, or do you prefer the casual chaos of a cottage garden? 

Preparation makes perfect
Once you’ve figure out where you want your new garden bed, how much light the area gets, what plants you’d like to have there, and how they’ll be arranged, it’s time to prep the area. Unless work has already been done to clay soil, you’ll want to have organic matter, like planting mix or compost, tilled in. The fine plant material acts as a sponge to get air and the right amount of water to your plant’s roots. Another alternative is to build raised beds and fill them with new topsoil. This is an especially good option for people who have trouble bending low to the ground.

Restful for the mind and body
We’re making a haven, so be sure to include some kind of comfortable seating in a shaded area. From hammocks to glidersRestful garden, John Silva, The Fix-It Professionals to the classic chaise lounge, there are so many options. If it’s permanent or semi-permanent, make sure to check the view before installation, because you want to see your new garden space from the best angle. If it’s easily moved, you have the advantage of being able to shift your perspective with the changing seasons.

Next time, I’ll talk a bit more about types of easy-to-grow plants that do well in our area (especially drought-resistant types), how to plan your plantings for a longer bloom season, and ways to add privacy and peace to your new outdoor sanctuary.

If you need help with some of that garden heavy lifting, putting up an arbor, or building some great new raised planting beds, call The Fix-It Professionals. We love building raised beds, so why do it yourself? Let us help you create that new private garden oasis! Read on for our latest special. 

?>

Does Your Home Reflect Your Personality? Part 2

May 7, 2015 by  
Filed under Blog

Living room, John Silva, The Fix-It ProfessionalsLast time, we suggested ways your current home may or may not be an accurate reflection of who you are. Now that you’ve looked at your surroundings with your unique personality in mind, here are some suggestions for creating a home that reflects who you are.

What makes you happy?
This is the perfect place to start when deciding what to change in your home. Your mindset is probably in a different place than when you bought what’s in your home today. The question to ask yourself is, does it still make you happy? Does that mid-century streamline furniture seem boring now? Is the Victorian flowery look feeling too busy? Your home should be a restful, comfortable place that reflects what’s important to you.

De-Clutter!
The longer we live somewhere the more stuff we accumulate. Everybody does it. Even if your kitchen looks like a Zen tea house, you know there are things hidden in the cabinets you’ll never actually use… and under the bed.. and in the garage… and… well, you get the idea. It’s spring cleaning time! Added bonus: Once the clutter is tossed or re-homed, it’s easier to keep your home clean and spot needed repairs.

Who do you want to be?sitting room, John Silva, The Fix-It Professionals
If you’re one of those people who is completely happy with every aspect of your life, congrats! It’s a rare trait. If there are some aspects of your life you’d like to change, your home can offer daily inspiration when you add reminders of your goals through décor, color, and furnishings. It’s like “dress for success” for your living room. And this includes your front yard, too. First impressions are important. Your house should inspire you from the moment you arrive home.

Be bold with color.
Last time we talked about how boring all those white walls can get, and offered suggestions for how to find the color that’s right for you. If you’re still not sure color patches, John Silva, The Fix-It Professionalswhat will work, try getting those small sample jars of paint and do a small test area. Or if you have a hard time visualizing that patch of color in the entire room… to the Internet!! There, you can upload photos of your rooms to paint manufacturer websites and use virtual “paint” to preview what the new colors will look like. Or if you have an item whose color you love, you could try one of those phone apps that use your camera to do color matching. You could paint your bedroom to match your dog. But then you might have trouble finding your dog, so maybe don’t go that far.

What’s old is new again.
Vintage is hot right now. It’s hard to go wrong with classic lines and looks. So, if your current furniture is looking tired, try going retro. Mid-century modern features chrome, bright colors, and strong lines – all great things with which to build the look of a room. If you go farther back in time, you’ll find warm, solid oaks and hand-made details from the Craftsman and Victorian eras, which are very versatile. Oak for example, can give a room a rustic western appearance, a fancy William Morris look or simply be a beautiful background piece that ties things together. 

Add one bright new accent.
If you’re on a budget, or have trouble with lots of change all at once, pick one thing that will really rejuvenate your space. This could be a new sofa or dining table, an accent rug or new carpet, having an old piece of furniture reupholstered, or installing a ceiling fixture. New lighting, in particular, is a great way to give a room a fresh look without breaking the bank.

?>