Let’s Squint. All Together Now.
Come on. Play along. See this gorgeousness?
Look at that for a good minute.
Now squint at this weird alley that we have between our master bedroom addition and the rest of the original house:
See the resemblance? Remember you have to squint.
As soon as I laid eyes on that top picture (found here) I knew it would serve as amazing inspiration for that awkward space between the original house and the addition. Someday we’d love to turn that “balcony to nowhere” into large wide wood steps that lead down to a stone path with some potted herbs on either side. And who knows, a little pergola action (like those wooden beams overhead in the top image) might be a super charming way to connect each side of our holy-cow-that’s-strange alley. Ah the power of inspiration images. Our house would scare us waaaay more without them.
But don’t get me wrong, here’s the view from the other side:
“Not scary” isn’t exactly how we’d describe it as it looks right now. Yes that’s our air conditioner, oil tank, and a pile of old pallets left by the previous owners. We’ve got a loooong way to go.
Inspiration image found here.
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I’m squinting .. and I probably look like a moron to everyone I work with. It would look really beautiful and give purpose to an unused/dead space. Can’t wait to see it done!
Thats a pretty sweet area, I can’t wait to see what you do out there!
At first I thought you guys had transformed the alley into that top picture over the weekend. But I have no doubt you will eventually make it into something equally gorgeous if not better!
Do you ever step out and sing “Don’t cry for me Argentin”…Evita syle? I would.
I’ve done a few “wherefore art though Romeo?” calls. Haha.
xo,
s
Use the pallets in a firepit. They burn really, really hot!
I love patios and walkways that have greenery growing up through them…I just need to get mine looking like they have intentional greenery…not weeds. :-(
My neighbor built his own pergola. Yes really. And I LOVE the look! Super clever way to transform the “that alley totally meant to be here” space.
love the creativity of it and the use of space that probably would otherwise be overlooked. love the idea!
But isn’t it wonderful to have dreams and plans?
it’s totally do-able! just need a weed whacker and some nice shrubbery :-)
LOVE it! I also love how there’s constantly little nooks and surprises like this being revealed about your new house. I know it will look as good, if not better than the picture when you’re all said and done with it.
I love that picture and can definitely see how you could recreate something like that in your space. I’m guessing the deck will have to be lowered with some steps down from the patio doors maybe? I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Yup, buh-bye railing. Hello nice wide steps.
xo,
s
Funny, I pictured you guys doing something like that. How cool would that be? a little “garden room” of sorts. Can’t wait =)
What would all of us homeowners of charmingly quirky, but outdated homes have without VISION!!!
Which reminds me, when we were buying our house my husband did not want anything new, he kept saying he wanted something we could “put our stamp on”! As if with a new house you could not adequately use your imagination…don’t even get me started!
Haha you can totally pull that off, a/c, oil tank and pile of pallets or not! Maybe you could even reuse the pallet wood to make the steps or something.
I totally see it! Love It!
great inspiration shot!! i can see the potential!!!
Oh my goodness, you know what would be awesome there? If you transformed it a bit more like the inspiration photo and then put a nice long table out there for big family dinners! Skinny and long, just like John. (too far? Sorry John, it’s not a jab at you :)
Haha, and like Clara too. She takes after her daddy for sure…
xo,
s
The squint directions are so funny. I had a painting professor in college who told us to squint to get the big picture and not get caught up in the details we were painting. Is that your fine arts degree coming out? :)
That’s totally doable. What a great weekend project that would make. One suggestion, add a water fountain maybe some fish. I love hearing mine babbling away out there.
LOVE THIS!! Gorgeous!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it…. can’t wait to see how you make it happen!
I love this. Like super duper crazy love it. Everything about that first picture is absolutely adorable.
Your space is a bit more narrow but I can definitely see it working as something similar. Maybe even adding a little gate to define the space would be adorable..and a great place for Burger to sunbathe! lol.
A Secret Garden!!!
It would look great!
I’m trying to get my bearings, though…where is that balcony to nowhere? From inside the house, I mean.
If you search for “new house video tour” that video will orient you. It’s in the hallway between our bedroom and the living room.
xo,
s
Ahh…gotcha! Thanks!
Helloooooooo inspiration!
That is great inspiration! I think you can make it work for you, can’t wait to watch the progress.
You can do it! Love the grass pattern! or whatever that is!
you should totally pergola it- and then plant some wisteria so it can be fragrant and pretty! target has some awesome outdoor patio lights you can string too- that would be great!
I can totally see it. That would be superb!
Did you see this?
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/garden-blogs-101-the-gardenist–142787
You could paint the pallets your own cheerful color, too.
So cool. Love it.
xo,
s
oh, I totally dig this.
I was just about to post the same thing! These posts were NEXT TO EACH OTHER in my google reader “house porn” folder :-)
Uh that could be a lovely little garden for plants that don’t require much sun. Maybe even some veggies that can grow in shade?
I think its cute and has great potential! The inspiration image so pretty!
~ L
You could totally pull that off. I have absolute faith in you. :)
Hey guys! I have been following your blog for about a year now and have finally been inspired to throw my hat into the blog ring (along with the rest of the masses).
I write about children’s books! http://www.juliasbookbag.com/ I’d love it if you would check out my fledgling project — and you might get some good tips for Clara — Every Tuesday I do a feature called Tiny Tot Tuesday! Keep up the awesomeness!!
Sweet! Off to check it out…
xo,
s
I was hoping you would do some outside posts! Do you have any to-do’s for your landscaping? I am removing an overgrown line of half-dead evergreens.
Yup, check out our Projects page (see that tab under our blog header?) where we have a whole section dedicated to outdoor undertakings!
xo,
s
I totally “see” it! …and it wouldn’t be that hard to do. Some stairs, clear out what’s there now, put in some stepping stones, a little bench. Biggest problem is how to disquise that a/c and tank…maybe some trellis and vines?
I love the pergola beams! And the old pallets…..Ana White has some cool projects you can use those for…I wish we had some laying around!
Love the inspiration pic! I can totally see it. Can’t wait til you start working on it.
I LOVE IT. I didn’t even have to squint!
That would look so amazing in your wierd alley!!!
I can see a very cute area there! Depending on how much sun it gets – a cute garden or stone walkway to the front of the house.
I can’t wait to see what outdoor project you’re planning!
Great inspiration photo! I think I enjoy designing my exterior more than my interior! Love that you guys focus on the exterior as well.
Totally un-related to this post, but I wondered if you guys had seen this yet? I could totally see you doing this with Clara!
http://kathlyn.tumblr.com/post/2352914005/ktin-this-little-girls-mother-is-a-computer
Oh yeah I love that project!
xo,
s
Love the inspiration image!
If this alley were mine it’d be a toss up between outdoor dining area (pergola draped in twinkly lights, long family table and a grill) and a totally kid and dog proof play area (fence at the end, sand pit and little house play area.)
Can’t wait to see what you do!
Does that alley get good sun coverage during the day? Might make a good spot to add a raised garden bed on one side (the side with the air conditioner)? If you add nice wide steps, you could grow some herbs in larger round pots up on the deck & steps (basil, parsley, rosemary, sage, cilantro, and lavender are all really easy to grow – whatever you use most would make good choices!) and then maybe grow some tomatoes, strawberries, etc. in the raised garden? The garden might eventually grow enough to hide the air conditioner when you look out the window too. And when I was little, my mom grew strawberries, and I was allowed to go out each morning and pick strawberries to put on my cereal – I loved it (and still remember it!) and I bet Clara would love it in a few years too!
It only gets a little sun but we’d love to give some potted herbs a try for sure!
xo,
s
Some hostas would love that shady area. They are so easy to grow.
Sherry-
It’s like you were born to do this (queue Lady G’s Born this Way). Each and every idea you reference, showcase or do I think to myself “Damn, they have the best ideas”
I know you hunt down lots of inspiration for your house all over the place, but you should know that you and John are my inspiration.
Keep up the good work!
Stacy
Very nice inspirational photo! Heck, even if you didn’t cover the whole top, an arbor at the end with some climbing roses or wisteria would look great. And if it is too shady in the middle you caould always do a rock garden on either side of your path.
It’s amazing how inspirational, inspirational photos can be!
That is the perfect inspiration photo! Now I wish I had an odd little space to get creative in! I just have awkward big spaces! :)
Yup, you can definitely pull of something fabulous there. Excellent way to look for opportunities!
Do IT!! If anyone can pull it off, it is the three of you. Great work on Karl’s legs, he is even more handsome than before.