Removed a tree - now what?

11 years ago

We finally took out a really ugly tree from the front of our house. Despite the current carnage it has left in our front yard, we're excited about the opportunity it presents to make our house look more appealing. But what to do? Few pieces of potentially useful info:
-The door we use as the front door is the one to the right
-We will likely be tackling this project ourselves/on a budget
-I have a small vegetable garden but don't have a ton of time/energy for other gardening, so any landscaping situation would need to be pretty low maintenance.
-We live in New England and have 2 cars and a one car garage. In the winter when there's a snow parking ban we have to get the 2nd car off the street, so hardscaping if it wouldn't look hideous might be a nice option to help that issue

Featured Answer

Felix Pradas-Bergnes

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

Consider this. Create a DIY brick or stoned paved plaza surrounded by small bushes. Place a couple of large resin urns at the bottom of the steps. Plant a flowering bush and an small ornamental tree on the corner between the two wings. Add a couple of potted plants to the right where the car is parked in winter to define the space.

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Comments (9)

Judy Mishkin
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
our town doesnt allow parking on the street overnight, and we cannot park in front of our house on our property (only in a side driveway, or up to a garage), so at least you have a couple more options.

i'd say do a paver area for your sometimes parking needs. if you are hiring someone to do it make sure they understand you will be driving on it sometimes, and they will do the underlayment differently than for a patio. but it will look like a patio. (unless your car drips oil on it, so don't do that!)

another issue that you probably didnt have before is your antenna on the roof. whats in the attic of the house section to the right? we have a low clearance on our L and we have the antenna inside. it looks pretty amazing to duck in there and see this giant antenna but it works the same as if it was on top the house. you might consider this. and if you dont use your antenna any more get rid of it now.

even if you need chain link fence, might there be another choice for across the front of your house?

anyway, congrats on the tree. make sure you get the stump ground out (money well spent).
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Elaine Doremus Resumes Written
11 years ago
Paint left door same color as house to avoid confusion. The simpler we make life, the better! I agree with nixing the gate, or at least switching it out to something more aesthetically pleasing. The outside of your home is the "frame" of the house, so it is very important. Hardscaping the entire front is the perfect solution, since you have a small area to work with. Anything else might look choppy. Look at online options, then visit your local vendors for specific choices. The front of the home may be too dark. Paint the house a very light warm color such as a taupey beige. Paint the door and stairs a warm light mossy green. Match the hardscape to the taupey beige of the house to keep a unified look.
liag24
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you for all the thoughts! Totally agree on the fence - it's on the chopping block for sure, we just needed to wait until the tree was out so it wouldn't drop stuff on the new fence. I love the suggested design for a paved area! It looks so much nicer than the "gas station forecourt" look I was fearing!
liag24
Original Author
11 years ago
Also nnigrt, you're totally right that the enormous antenna was more hidden until the tree came down and is now very much on display. We'll have to try it in the attic (we do use it, but if it could go in the attic it would do double duty of not being so ugly and not losing reception every time the weather is nasty!)
acm
11 years ago
I was thinking about one of those post lanterns, with a minimal flower circle around its base and a nice walkway making clear which door is the front entrance. (tempted to tell you to repaint the other door white to help with that too.) Also, black iron railings at stairs?
Judy Mishkin
11 years ago
here is a picture of our set up. we have one tv on cable but the others are on the antenna.

we have it in a blocked off corner, the rest is for heat-safe storage. wow, its already hot up there today! (we're outside of boston).
liag24
Original Author
11 years ago
I love the idea of a post lantern - I want to run out and buy one right now!

The branches of the tree used to obscure the old door partially so it was really clear which I one was the front. It's totally true that now that both are equally visible it may create some confusion. I do love the colors of the doors (new last fall) so wonder if perhaps just using items (flower urns, lamp etc) might indicate the focus on that door without a change in paint?
Elaine Doremus Resumes Written
11 years ago
Absolutely! Use a great wreath, lamp and potted plants to signal the way to go. One note: I've seen some really incredible landscape and house lighting that makes a home a showplace!