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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Please, please, please build a pergola! I want to build one but I’m nervous to undertake that big of project without lots of help. Can’t wait to see how your little alley turns out.
Love it espcially the fence to boot! I wonder if you’ll go with pressure treated wood or vinyl?
No clue yet- although we usually lean towards wood. Should be interesting!
xo,
s
You know what, if you did build a deck at the height of the balcony (with steps down at the end) you’d get more sun in it, which could be good for herbs etc. Especially if you raised them like suggested with a pallet or other tiered system like this: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/09/prince-charles-garden-party-gardens.php
This has the benefit of being totally water effiencient!
Ooh good point. It’s always a possibility!
xo,
s
That’s great inspiration. I especially love the wood Pergola connecting the two spaces. It makes it feel more like a room.
Any plans on doing something like this?
http://www.wom-mom.com
Oh yeah, we’d love to add the pergola slats to connect the whole area. Should be interesting…
xo,
s
I think that will totally work. Are you going to paint the electrical box to blend in?
P.S. Last night I googled “sunroom paint colors” looking for inspiration for our upcoming sunroom makeover, and pictures of your sunrooms kept popping up.
Haha, sure – I had fun painting our electrical boxes (and our propane tank) to match at our last house.
xo,
s
In the end, you’ll make it gorgeous! For now, add some color.
In the inspiration picture, is that lattice on the ground to each side of the center boardwalk? What kind? Surely not wood… I love it though! How did they do that?! I want! And the moss growing there! I have tons of ground moss for transplant! I found my summer project!
They’re kind of like stone pavers that are thick and shaped like lattice, so you can plant things in between them. So cool right?
xo,
s
What a neat space. I know you guys will do wonders to it. Can’t wait!
Awesome–perfect inspiration! I can totally see it and you will make it happen. Can’t wait!
I love that inspiration! I think you could really make something similar work in your space. I was inspired by the same house but for a different reason. I thumbed through the magazine at the dentist and fell in love with the courtyard. We’ve been looking for an affordable way to build a larger patio and I love the gravel patio they created. We are going to try it this summer. :)
oh yes.. DO IT!! :)
Great idea…
As for the pallets … I’ve got you topped. The previous owners of this house left us whirly-gigs, fake flowers and an old dismantled christmas tree wrapped around rusted old fencing in the back yard. If it werent for the built-ins, hardwood floors, etc. I’m sure those things would have scared us away!
Those palates = reclaimable lumber? I’d definitely ‘encourage’ my husband to try something.
We recently reclaimed some lumber, if you can call it that! http://himynameisjack.blogspot.com/2011/03/floating-stairs-makeover.html
Cheers!
Haha, love it! We have plans for ours too!
xo,
s
Sherry – great comments above about what to plant . . the proximity to kitchen definitely screams kitchen garden. As working mom who has tried this has discovered: Things that don’t need a lot of care but are great to have (and look good at all times) Rosemary, Dill (this will take over – plant accordingly), Chives, and my personal favorite Parsley (i use this so much more than I ever did – (fresh parsley and red potatoes with onion and green bean -little olive oil and salt and pepper and wow!) Right time of year – Basil, tho it needs so much water I usually keep this in the kitchen on the window sill :-) Try out Cherry Tomatoes and you get the quantity you need without bugs getting there first. Strawberries are fun and it might be cold enough there to try a blueberry bush (they need a freeze in winter) When nothing else will grow (too cold) in late fall or early spring – plant pink or white decorative cabbage – looks pretty when too cold for flowers, it substitutes. One workin mom to another . .
Mmm, love it. Sounds delish. Thanks for the suggestions!
xo,
s
I mentioned in a previous post about this topic that you would come up with something fabulous for that space. There was some talk on that post about expanding the house to close the gap (and maybe you will someday) but I love the idea of making that space eye pleasing and functional or adding a water feature or something. That picture you posted totally rocks…you will do something equally as lovely I’m sure. Can’t wait to see what you come up with. Like you, I have a file drawer and binder(s) full of inspirational ideas…and a few computer files as well!
Hey! Your inspiration image is the Coastal Living Home at Seabrook, WA. One of our favorite places to vacation. We are actually headed to Seabrook in a couple of weeks. Last February I was able to tour this home and it was beautiful and super inspiring. Love it!
“Pile of old pallets left by the previous owners” = way to conceal the air conditioner! Like this…
http://www.ehow.com/how_5105511_beautify-conceal-central-air-conditioner.html
…only built from shipping pallets, like this:
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/build-your-own-recycled-pallet-compost-bin.html
Waste not, want not!
Love those projects! So cool.
xo,
s
Wowza. That inspiration picture has such a resemblance to what your “alley” could look like. I love the pergola effect and the grass pattern. Would love to learn more about how the grass pattern was done. That whole idea of the pergola and the grassy pattern turn a somewhat mundane space into a real charmer. Love it. Thanks.
Those are actually criss-cross concrete pavers that are thick (about 6″ deep) so you dig them into the ground in a group and plant things between the openings. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I love the inspiration. Did you say oil tank? I used to rent a house with friends (there was five bedrooms) and that old house had an oil tank and it ended up costing us a lot to fill..or maybe it was a lot because we were young adults. Either way, after that experience I vowed not to get a house with an oil tank. How has it been living with yours especially since you moved during the colder months?
The one you had to fill must have been an underground oil tank (which can be very pricey) but this house has a new above ground oil tank that was installed and inspected before we moved in (so it’ll never need to be filled since it’s above ground and any rust or leaks can be seen and repaired). Thank goodness! As for living with it, our last house ran on oil heat as well, so it’s all we know. It’s definitely not the cheapest thing in the world these days, but we use our programmable thermostat to keep costs down and we do love how instantly warm it feels when it kicks on.
xo,
s
I’ve got a similar problem. There’s a big slab of ugly grey concrete in the back of our backyard along the fence. Hello previous owner’s boat slip! I’m trying to find DIY and on-the-cheap landscaping and decor to place on and around it so that the now ugly slab will hopefully be beautifully integrated… without the use of a jackhammer.
Good luck with your deck plans!
I think that is a great idea! Where did you get the inspiration picture?
Check out the bottom of the post for a link!
xo,
s
I know you already have plans for your pallets, but I love this DIY bench/daybed and thought it might look cute in your alley!
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/a-diy-rustic-outdoor-retreat-canadian-house-and-home-117824
One of my friends made her own on her apartment balcony using free pallets from Craigslist, throw pillows, and a one of those circle mosquito net canopies.
Very cute!
xo,
s
Sherry– I know this is going back a few months… but didn’t the photo of the beautiful area with the bikes and porch originally link to another page that was more of a resource for photos of all kinds of rooms? And not link to Coastal Living? Do you remember what that original link was? Thanks!!
I think it was myhomeideas.com. Hope it helps!
xo,
s