One of the more interesting homes I see on my walk has been sold recently which makes it fair game for musings about its future.
A classic mid-century modern house built in 1975 which was well past the typical date for these houses. Because it sold quickly and this is a sought-after style for young families, I'd like to think that means the purchaser understands this house. I was inside the house recently when they had an estate sale. Other than an unfortunate 1980s frilly brass light fixture "update", many of the details are in character with the facade. A blocky rectangular fireplace divides the entry from the living area which has large windows and glass doors across the back. Unlike more common open floorplans of the 1970s, the kitchen is small and cut off from the rest of the living space and I saw no easy way to fix that. Yes, I checked.
A family would not want to eliminate the lawn entirely because the back yard is small, but you could certainly do a lot with this front yard.
The oaks by the front door would stay, but I would remove the foundation shrubbery to open up the front. Add sculptural, spiky plants in gravel along with opuntia, native grasses, and perennials are what I see here. The curvy walk doesn't work, the curves have no purpose. Replace it with large rectangular concrete slab stepping stones or similar modern update. Switch out the adobe-style ceramic lights for Arts and Crafts fixtures. Paint the mailbox to match the door or house trim and get rid of the string on the handle.
I like the door color, or it could go a bit more orange, but please don't paint it brown.
Another landscape fixed. On with my walk.
What do you see?
I want that house! Fabulous. I agree with your changes, especially the front walk. The front door would be lovely orange and I can see a tiny bit of lawn (maybe) but lots of gravel with big spikes! (that's a surprise eh?)
ReplyDeleteAlso what is with the belt around the chimney? Is that flashing? It needs to disappear not stand out like it does.
It is a special house, we have big range of architectural styles in the neighborhood. I will try to show more of the 'hood in the future.
DeleteThat is flashing and it does need to go, it's possible there is a problem with the angle of the roof and that would be expensive to fix.
I look forward to seeing changes the new owner brings.
Maybe you could print this blog entry out and leave it (with love) in the mail box :)
ReplyDeleteFun idea, I'm a bit chicken for that approach but if I see any yard activity I'd certainly stop and offer my opinions.
DeleteI also agree with your changes and would make the house number a little less huge. Cool house!
ReplyDeleteI did some research on the house numbers because I had noticed how large they are. A lot of images had the larger house numbers so it was once common with MCM style and is now a trend for the refurbs as well.
DeleteThat's a beautiful home with great potential, no wonder it sold quickly. Thanks for showing it to us.
ReplyDeleteI love the oaks, I agree get rid of the foundation shrubs, though I would also get rid of the lawn, add a few more oaks, a fountain and bench to enjoy the fountain that agrees with the house and do the whole front in crushed stone with a few Agaves or Dasylirion, or with Mexican Feather Grass and a few Agaves/Dasylirion. Perhaps make the string on the mail box a color that matches the front door. ;)
Good ideas HB, of course, just coordinate the string color with the house!
DeleteIf that's a flat roof, buzz kill. The house reminds me of a pumpkin. I guess because its Halloween.
ReplyDeleteWe had a flat roof once, it is a buzz kill. You'll notice the roof on the current house is good and steep!
DeletePumpkin, cute!
When we toured a Frank Lloyd Wright house they explained that he did not want people spending time in the kitchen or entry, so he made those areas with low ceilings and cramped to force you into the main living areas. I hope they follow your plan...it could be a landmark.
ReplyDeleteI've toured several FLW houses and the kitchen is never the heart of the home.
DeleteThe single main living space is sunken a step down and the roof is raised so this follows the style quite closely. Homes in the late 1960s began to have more open plan kitchens so this is a throwback.
What a nice looking home. I would love to add some color but I imagine the area to be full of deer. Perhaps a firepit, pavers, a couple of comfy chairs for the neighbors to come to sit and visit.
ReplyDeleteAn inviting front yard would be nice for the neighborhood. We are in that well-known San Antonio neighborhood with the "deer problem". This house is next to a creek where the deer hang out so it is a problem. Salvia greggi and lantana seem to escape so some color is possible.
DeleteI love this exercise--relandscaping someone elses garden in my head. It is kind of like a brainstorming activity. Who knows. Some of those ideas may show up in my garden.
ReplyDeleteBrainstorming is always quite valuable when creativity is involved.
DeleteAll I have to say is I want that house WITH your vision for it! I can see it! I wish it was for sale BEFORE we bought ours in 2009. Love ....LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteI thought you might like this one as it does seem to fit your style Heather. There are quite a few around but I think they go fast.
DeleteLove the house! I like your suggestions, especially using large slabs of as a walkway. I, too, think a 'blocky', more modern, style would really set it off well. I hope the new owners love their new home.
ReplyDeleteI hope they love it enough to do something with the yard. This is what passes for landscaping in most of the city. Of course with these beautiful oaks decorating the yards, most people don't need to do too much.
DeleteShirley, I really enjoy your blogs, thank you for sharing. I was going to write you the other day to ask if you'd ever been to the little family nursery in Fredericksburg. I go when I'm there. Once every ten years. :-(
ReplyDeleteI had to look over and over again at the two photos in this blog. The first photo makes it look as if there are 30 or 40 yards between the curb and the front door. where the second picture makes it look like 10 feet. Funny how two different photos can show such a different perspective ! I hope the new owners do something great with all that room in the front.
I had my plant sale today and was telling one woman about your front yard. Her husband wanted a xeriscape and she wasn't looking forward to it. I told her about your front yard, letting her know that xeriscape is not just cactus anymore! It can be so lovely !
patty
Thank you Patty, I'll have to look that one up. We might go to Fredericksburg during the holidays.
DeleteIt's probably about 10 yards from the street to the door. The first photo was taken at close range and wide angle. The second is from a ways up the street and zoomed in.
Of course xeriscape can be nice, there are plenty of nice ones out there.
When I look at this house I think.... oh the possibilities. I have the same habit of looking at landscaping, or the lack of it, in other peoples yards and think how I would improve on it. Now if I could just get my hands on a few yards in my hood:) I just want some people to know that pruning your trees and shrubs is a good thing.
ReplyDelete