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Thursday, March 29, 2012

The plan: create a Mediterranean courtyard.


These are three views of the space I plan to renovate/recreate. The first picture is from the parking area, some fifty feet or so from the garage. The second is from the front of the entrance, a footbridge taking you into the house. And the third, is the view of the house from the street.

The goal is to "enclose" the parking area with arbors,  and turn this area into outdoor living room, with benches and tables and cobbled/tiled/concrete slabs/river rocks driveway and turnabouts. The area would be connected to the back of the house, fourth picture, where the lake and the docks are,  and all these parts will work together seamlessly.



Besides getting a courtyard that is integrated with the house and the backyards/lake, I wanted to continue gardening in place. So, I needed ways to get around if I ended up in a wheelchair.

In my old life, I would have had this thought and filed it away in some notebook.
In my new life, I set a budget, and called a professional landscape contractor to have a look, design and install all these elements in an integrated approach.

In my old life, Hubby would attempt the work, get injured or exhausted, and then scrap the entire project.
In my new life, my husband will become the general contractor, take bids for different parts of the job, and work with the designer in finalizing the plan and coordinating the work.

I know, this is extravagant!
I could spend my money in so many other ways!


30 comments:

Helen said...

Oh ... but this is the very best way to spend those dollars! Can't wait to see how this project progresses. I am fantasizing sitting outdoors, looking out over the water, sipping a nice wine from Italy ..

Kate said...

I think putting in a Mediterranean courtyard is a GREAT idea! I can't wait to see the progress and final product!

Catalina Aldridge said...

You're garden area would be perfect for it! I forgot how gorgeous your front garden was. :) You'll have SO much fun planning & planting away.

Unknown said...

Sounds like an ambitious project! We'll be looking forward to seening the end results!

Unknown said...
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Patricia said...

I love a new project...it injects new life into your "new life." What a nice thing to look forward to!

The Broad said...

I like your plan -- very much.

Vera said...

Sounds like it is going to be a really lovely space, or rather, several spaces flowing one into the other. And you will enjoy it all the more because you do not have to do the work. I shall look forward to seeing how this new project of yours progresses.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Rosaria .. sounds like a dream .. good for you - and I think you're probably spending your money very wisely doing what you'd both like to do .. someone else does it - you enjoy it ..

Great thoughts .. Cheers Hilary

potsoc said...

And why not? Carpe diem.

Rob-bear said...

This does sound like a wonderful dream/plan. Something so different from rows of boxes made of tick-tacky, and manicured lawns.

Bring on the grace and refinement, Rosaria!

yaya said...

Now this is going to be fun! I'll be so excited to watch the progress and see you enjoying the outcome. Yes, money can be spent in many ways, but this is a good thing! (Chalk that thought up to Martha Stewart!)

Helga said...

I love how you fill your life with excitement,newness and purpose by setting visionary goals over and over again. The money will be very well spent recreating a piece of your homeland right there in your yard, and the two of you enjoying it all, topping it all off with a little fiddle play. What about that! Wonderful!

dianefaith said...

You have a beautiful home! And, I like your plan, the way you've accounted for both beauty and accessibility. I'm afraid I'm still thinking your "old way," and I need to reconsider that.

Lisa said...

Your yard inspires. It holds so much potential with its space, contour, and amazing view. You live in beautiful country Rosaria.

cheshire wife said...

I am sure that it will look wonderful when it is finished. I hope that you are being pessimistic about the wheelchair.

rjerdee said...

Bravo! NOW is the time to spend your money as you like!!!

the walking man said...

And you could also spend it the way you want.

erin said...

i was just coming to say (after reading at your other place) that we must live for today and through today. this is a perfect demonstration why. it is not for the completion or the abandonment of the project, but for the project itself, the experience, the musings and love going on behind the project.)

xo
erin

Maggie May said...

That sounds a magnificent idea. I'm really looking forward to seeing it finished.

I think there comes a time when you have to get other people in to do the jobs. I wish my husband would understand that & not think he was still only 30 & able bodied!
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Unknown said...

Not extravagant, but deserved. We are at the same point hiring others for major work although Jerry still does a lot; a replacement retaining wall is this year's project, an expansive expense....how lovely your courtway will be. We don't sit outside here in MN as we did in CA--mosquitoes in good weather and well winter is prohibitive. Will be interesting to follow your progress. I'll write about ours soon.

Ruth said...

It is wonderful, lovely, inspiring to see you make this plan and move ahead boldly. I am more like your old self, and I am working on becoming new, with courage!

Tom said...

Sounds to me like you're finally getting smart in your new life! Good luck with the project -- bet it turns out great. (And btw, luv your backyard!)

Diane said...

It is going to be fantastic when you have finished. Looking forward to the before and after photos. Diane

Donna said...

It will a peaceful, pleasant retreat for you Rosaria!! You'll enjoy doing it and reap the fun rewards by spending time there!!

Hilary said...

Now this is going to be enjoyable to see it evolve.

Vagabonde said...

You have a great plan for your yard and for your enjoyment of life – in France we have a saying for it, we call it “joie de vivre” the joy of living. It will increase your joy of living in your surroundings so it is certainly worthwhile. I enjoy reading your posts – they always bring some reflection. Thanks for coming to my blog. I just published a new post but it did not update in Reader, once again. I don’t know what I am doing wrong.

#1Nana said...

What a great project. We had a brief rain free period this morning and we got some work done in the yard. The spouse tilled the garden area and we got peas, carrots and radishes planted. When it gets a little warmer we can plant the rest. I'm looking forward to a big garden this year.

BTW I'm leaving for my first trip to Italy next weekend...got any pointers for me?

Linda Myers said...

We get to spend our discretionary money however we want. Sounds like you've got a great plan.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I think it's an excellent plan and way to spend your money. Do keep us posted!