Curb Appeal To Sell

A client contacted me last week to help her add a little curb appeal to her 50's tract house to put on the market to sell.  We had a modest budget to work with and I was pretty happy with the outcome.

Before

After

                         

 The first suggestion was to remove the awning which was faded.  Next, I wanted to attract attention from the street by putting a bed of red drift roses and purple mexican heather on each side of the side walk. 

Before

After

I wanted to soften all the straight lines of the house by leaving a curved section of grass and a curved walk made from flagstone.   Behind the walk, tricolored ginger was incorporated to bring out the red, green, and white from the other elements that were used in the color scheme.  Leaving a small section of the grass also helped save money.  Brown metal edging was used to blend in with the color of the home.  A urn was added with a red firecraker plant for visual interest and color.  I left the vine on the trellis to give the illusion of a seperate area.  Red begonias were added for a extra pop of color.  Surveys show that the color red attracts more attention to a home than any other color.

Before

We opened up the porch be removing the shrubs that blocked it to give it a more inviting look.  On the porch, we added inexpensive adironak chairs with red pillows to give a casual relaxed flair to the home.  A white lantern was added for another pop of color to attract attention.  We took down the brass numbers, mailbox, and light fixure that were discolored and sprayed them with a can of dark bronze hammer spray paint to save money.

If you are interested in adding a little curb appeal to home, give us a call.

2011 Gardeners Gathering

Today, The Carleen Bright Arboretum hosted its annual Gardeners Gathering.  Although, it was a little warm and breezy it did not keep the dedicated gardeners from showing up.  I was happy that I was able to sneek away from the store to attend.  It was great to see my friends and customers.

The Central Texas Cactus and Succlent Society

My first stop, I met the nice folks at The Central Texas Cactus and Succlent Society booth.  They had a great selection of beautiful cactus and succlents.  My neighbor took advantage of their sale of the desert rose they were selling.  I then went to look at their cactus garden that they maintain at The Arboretum and all I can say it was love at first sight.  The cactus were blooming and I felt like I was in a art gallery looking at gorgeous sculptures.

This would so look fabulous in the GIANT yellow bowl I got for Christmas from The Pottery Barn

I then moved on over to The Waco Rose Society booth and was greeted by Meryl and Elizabeth.  They have a wonderfully designed rose garden and it happens to be one of the most popular places to take prom pictures.

While I was visiting, I kinda invited myself over to Elizabeth's house to look at her rose garden.  Being ever so gracious, she told me just to go right over and let myself in the back yard.  Wow!!  I will show you in a bit her yard.

 This bench is special.  Merle and Roland Shippey were my friends and great friends to The Rose Society.  They are gone now, but they will forever be in my heart.  They lived in a neighborhood that I work alot in and no matter what time of day or sometimes night I could always drop in on them and all 3 of us would sit in their swing hours on end with them telling me stories of the good old days.  I am so glad this bench is were I can still in my on way, go sit with them.

My next stop was to visit The Mclennan County Master Gardeners.  What a hard working group of people.  They do so much for the community and we are very fortunate to have them.  They have The Texas Superstar garden.  It is just lovely and I enjoyed seeing it.

This is one of their projects

I am impressed with their recycling of flower pots project.  I recently went to the landfill for the first time.  Let me tell you, it was an eye opening experience.  When I first arrived, there were long lines and I kept seeing signs that read 'No Photography'.  I thought to myself  'who would want to take pictures of the dump'?  Well, when we got in I could not believe the mountains of trash and how many trucks coming in dumping items that appeared to be recyclable. I think people would think twice about being wastful if they could see the landfill.  Maybe they should allow photography.   I really applaud this group for taking on recycling of plastic plant pots.  I wish more organization would follow their cause.

Wonderful Birdhouse Gourds for sale

The Waco Iris Society

The last booth I visited with of the day was my friends over at The Waco Iris Society and yes I invited myself over to see their Iris in bloom this week.

The Iris Society will have their show this weekend, Saturday, April 16,2011 at The Clarion Hotel in Waco from 1 to 4 p.m.  Iris lovers do not miss this show!

Now, on over to Miss Elizabeth's home.

I so want this yard!!!!

Can't miss this driving to The Arboretum

Sweet snapdargons

I love all the companion plants she has with her roses

Roses Galore!!!

I could come home to this everyday

Just bloomed Iris

Raised herb bed on the deck

This Clematis was just bursting with color

I loved seeing your yard Elizabeth and thank you for allowing me to see your garden.  Elizabeth shops at greenlife and it is so very seldom that I get to see my customers and friends gardens.  This was a special treat.

Lindsey + Kevin 4 Ever!!!!!

Our daughter was married in January to Kevin.  This was a special day in our lives and I would love for you to see it (you will know why I did not blog for months-I was in wedding mode).

To see the wedding pictures go to http://www.captivating-photo.com/ and click on the blog.  Rebecca Cash took the wedding photos and we highly recommend her.  She is very creative and did a great job in preserving our memories.

I would also like to thank Paulette Pendley of Pendley Party Productions, Joe Blanick of Blanick Catering, Philip Sanchez of Salon Wabi Sabi, Mary Baskin of The Livingston, Devine Design Floral in West, Theresa Flanagan of Waco Nissian, The Phoenix Ballroom (Awesome!!!), St. Francis Catholic Church, Sandra Sapiro Makeup Artist and Cathey Hall for giving us a dream wedding and excellent above superior service.  We HIGHLY recommend them.