If you’ve been following along on Instagram you know that my backyard project has been a long time coming. Fast forward to actually getting somewhere with the city and making some plans to begin…for real this time.
To finalize my drawings I completed an exercise that I always ask my clients to do – Make a wish list.
Here are my trouble spots:
Get rid of this building. Wasted space. And not in good shape anymore.
No more chain link. Having it run in front of the tree line cuts off space both visually and physically. Plus…just not for me.
All this stone has to go. It has 3 strikes against it…it’s dated, it’s cracking and no longer in good shape and it’s NOT GRASS…Bye.
My Wish List:
1) Get rid of all the paving – Turn the pool area into a lush green grassy yard. Cali is famous for paved “yards”…well I’m not from Cali. I’m taking it back to my Midwesterner childhood.
2) A paved patio area with plenty of seating, a fire pit table and lighting to enjoy evenings outside.
3) An indoor/outdoor room that the boys and I could use as a design studio/craft space and workout room. Dear Lord how many times have I walked past that same, half finished, tired old craft project that just seems to be taking up space on the table when guests come over? No more. I came to the realization that I just need to edit that constant craft messiness right on out my back door.
4) The boys would like planter boxes for fruit and vegetable gardening. I love this idea! (I told you…that Midwestern Girl is coming back to life)
5) A pretty fence. We need a fence for both privacy from super close neighbors (Hello – another Cali thing) and it would be nice if the dog can be free in her backyard and enjoy it as well.
6) Some sort of peaceful water feature.
7) Keep enough paved area that the boys can still shoot basketball.
I encourage you all to make a wish list of that one space you’d like to work on. In my case, I had the boys weigh in also. Start by taking some pictures of all angles of the room. You’ll be surprised what your eye sees when you take some time to study your space in a photo! Once you start to look at the photos your list will come naturally. Every project doesn’t have to be major construction and it doesn’t have to be done all at once. Maybe you just want to change up the guest bathroom or freshen the front hall. In any case, get to work on that wish list! Remember…these are our WISHES for the space and how we feel we can make it work best for us. But keep in mind we don’t get everything we wish for so be prepared to compromise.
I am living in the Land of Compromise right now…
edit. your. life. 