Help for paint or landscaping (curb appeal)

11 years ago

Hi, I just bought this federation cottage and need some help with its curb appeal. The photo is of when it was previously sold. The previous owner has left the outside untouched except that they razed the garden so it's a clean slate (only the trees to the far left of picture remain, but the outlines of the circular garden beds are still there with grass having attempted to grow over).

I'm partial to roses, magnolias, frangipanis, fruit trees and anything drought tolerant (the latter because I have to be, here). I intensely dislike the yellowness of the paint (and really, the colour scheme in general), but am on a limited budget so could learn to live with it with some climbers to make it a little more beautiful. My main target is the garden - I do really like the detailing on the gables so the whole colour scheme could grow on me if the garden complemented it. I like reds and whites for blooms but I don't know if reds will go with this?

Any suggestions? Thanks!

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Comments (3)

PRO
Gruene Valley Blinds and Design
11 years ago
Can you post more photos? It is hard to see the porch, roof, and it would help to maybe see the windows. Also what area are you in, because it sounds as if you really want to just do landscape, and that would be something that would help because of climate. If you just want landscape and you like reds, my opinion is that it would work, if they are good plants for your climate. I watch for more photos. Thanks.
Lyndelle Bee thanked Gruene Valley Blinds and Design
Lyndelle Bee
Original Author
11 years ago
This house is in Gawler, which is on the Adelaide plains side of Adelaide. It is hot in summer, mildly frosty in winter and receives only about 500mm rainfall per annum so it is a challenging climate, but I've seen roses grown extremely well in the area.

I'll need to swing by later this week to get more photos. The roof is terracotta tile.

The garden faces north east (the house faces east, with the northern aspect of the garden fully exposed as the driveway is on that side).

Thank you for your help.
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PRO
Cascio Associates - Site Planning - Landscape Arch
11 years ago
I like your dog, and he and I don't like little geometric beds in the front yard. They detract from the unusual detail of the house, which attracted you to it, not the lawn decorations - sod them over.

And get rid of the little onesy-twosy worthless plants at the foundation, maybe some grassy mounds like the blue-gray Triodia basedowii or one of the evergreen myrtles or pittosporums

I don't know about plants that do well in semiarid conditions, but I think you can forget about roses and magnolias, unless you install irrigation. If you want more small trees like the magnolias, I would put them (not just one or two) off to the right, screening your service area beyond and keeping it more private from passersby.

My eye would like to see a much heavier horizontal porch railing in contrast to the delicate panels.

If you are going to add vines (do vines grow in your dry conditions?) I would think they would look well across the foundation and handrail panels.

Don't hurt that big tree behind your house - it is a great asset to the picture (while in leaf, anyway)

You have done well to grab this beauty. Simplify and enjoy!

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