Archive for the ‘exterior’ Category

Planter

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

Ghetto.

Less ghetto.

We are almost finished priming the house. ALMOST.

Its been about three months of just patching and priming…we haven’t started putting the real exterior paint on. I think in about a year we will have the house mostly painted.

I worked today weeding, patching and priming the big front planter. I’m trying to decide on how to landscape the newly cleaned up beauty. I think we are putting gravel or river rock as a base and then possibly barrel cactus / agave / flax (I really don’t know what yet) in a really modern repetitive line. I dream of a wall of papyrus or maybe a nicely trimmed horsetail reed wall…but those SUCK UP water like crazy, so they are a no no. I saw some AWESOME kangaroo paw at the nursery that I definitely want to go somewhere…they may be an option.

We should probably build the horizontal cedar privacy screen on the front porch and finish painting before breaking out the live plants that would most likely die from neglect and weeds.

So I wouldn’t recommend holding your breath to see greenery. We can’t seem to finish anything lately. *Remember the pink bathroom? Oh yeah, that project is pretty much stalled indefinitely. Poop.

I’m going to change this blog to The Ghetto House.

Plants

Friday, June 12th, 2009

Dear Interweb,

Do you know what this tree is called?

Also, you might be able to name these plants as well.

My local nursery totally hates me and will thank you. I’ve been trying their patience with endless questions about drought tolerant plants and xeriscaping and saying “You know, all the plants they use in Palm Springs…nope, I don’t know what they are called”.

They keep telling me that I want a cactus garden…to which I reply NO.

Palm Springs Voyeur

Saturday, June 6th, 2009

To get inspired and out of my self indulgent little burnt out funk I drove around Palm Springs checking out mid century exteriors and landscapes.

I know its a tad creepy.

I felt a little like a skeezy voyeur sneaking around slyly snapping shots of peoples houses.

The main thing featured at most places was rock – LOTS of rock. Xeriscape is what the fancy eco peeps call it…I think. Or hardscape? Well, whatever it is – decomposed granite, pebbles, river rock, boulders – its all the rage in this desert climate.

I do like the hedge of horsetail along the front of the above house. The darker green really pops against the exterior colors and creates a nice feeling of architecture against the rolling rock hill. Those grassy bushes are fluffy and nice, but a little randomly placed. KILLER giant cactus though.

LOVE the privacy block with the bright yellow door popping out…not much landscaping to speak of. But love, love, love the white and yellow combo.

This house was RAD. I wish I could have gotten some better shots but this giant truck was parked right in front of the place blocking the best angle. I love the exterior color combo of a pale gray/white and dark gray trim and black accents. The interior walkway had 4 ceiling fans going which was NUTS. I would love to see the interior of this place.

And the frosted garage door! What?? Awesome, but a little weird when you can see the cars. If it was empty and lite up, I bet it would be stunning.

Again more rock. More bushy things. Palm trees everywhere.

I really like these low round cactus’s lining the driveway. I saw a lot of these used around town and think its a great solution for the arid climate. The repetition, sculptural shape and minimal treatment of light gray rocks defining the planting bed is just the kind of modern look I would like to focus on.

Ahhhhhhhh, Palm Springs.

I love you.