Oh, my goodness! Is it spring outside? I can hardly believe my eyes. Only a week or so ago, it was snowing in Northwest Arkansas where I live! I can’t tell you how happy I am that, hopefully, we have put the long, rainy, cold winter behind us. I am more than ready for the rejuvenation and transformation of the spring season…both in the landscape around us and in my home remodel!
So, on that note…some good news and good timing: we have finally started painting the new brick exterior. As you know, the color is Sherwin Williams ‘Black Fox’, and I just love it. It is a muddy, dark gray/brown, and it really gives the house the character I was looking for.
We are also making good progress on the back entry porch. The new columns and trim work are mostly finished, and thanks to my indefatigable painter, Mike James, soon it too will be coated in the same color.
Eventually, all the windows and trim will also receive the ‘Black Fox’ paint treatment, which will really settle the house visually into the landscape and give it a slight contemporary edge.
And speaking of landscape, we have finally been able to start on the garden. The rains have really been holding us back, but at least we have begun trenching for irrigation and lighting.
In the process of thinking about the garden, I decided to perform a simple and affordable face-lift on the front entry walk. The walk is just old concrete, so to update it and to make it a bit more interesting I decided to cut out 6″ strips in regular intervals. When we lay the sod for the front lawn, the grass will pass right through these new joints, giving the look of individual concrete pads. This will give a fresh look to the front of the house and a more engaging experience to visitors.
I am saving the concrete pieces that were cut out and am hoping to think of something cool to do with them. Please send me a message on Facebook if you have any creative ideas!
Also outside, my copper gas lanterns (something I was dead-set on from the beginning!) are up and on.
Around back, the carport/cabana is coming along nicely, as well. New, glass french doors and a small casement window have been installed, and additional trim is helping the structure relate a bit more to the architecture of the main house.
The inside of the old workshop/new ‘Garden Room’ has also been gutted to receive new electrical work and casual pine board walls. Be sure to check back next month for updates on the interior!
