A New View
When I started college in the late 1970s, I wanted a new perspective on my eyesight—a clearer focus for all of those books that needed to be read. Plus, I didn’t want to look like a high school student anymore! I was a college student.
Fast-forward to 2016. At my annual eye exam, I informed my optometrist that I wear my contacts only on weekends. At this stage of my life, with computer work and reading glasses, I found it easier just to wear my eyeglasses, especially since I purchased very chic pairs of blue and purple eyeglasses.
When the optometrist questioned me about comfort and duration of wear, I told him that the lenses were uncomfortable, probably because I don’t wear them every day like I did in the past. He recommended that I consider soft contact lenses for a new view and crisper vision. I’m happy to say I see many improvements with the clarity of soft lenses.
Not only did I get a new view with my new soft contact lenses, but I am also getting a new view with the spring project at home, adding window boxes and new shrubbery to enhance the house’s curbside appeal.
This year’s January blizzard of heavy snow and ice again created dips in the evergreens. The poor grass never recovered back to its original shape.
Instead of their usual spring shaping and trimmings, we decided not to prune but to remove the greens. With the help of a landscaper and a few ideas, we put our plan in motion.
My travels over the years to quaint places gave me an idea. I settled on the concept of adding window boxes to our humble abode. I remember when I was in Paris, the character of the wrought iron window boxes captured my attention. The trip to Williamsburg, Virginia (known for its colonial flavor of decorations with fresh fruits and natural greenery) inspired me.
My homework to prepare for the change included looking for suitable, sturdy, and weather-resistant window boxes. After a quick Google search, I found that Lowe’s carried Mayne products and offered a free drop shipment to my home for the window boxes. I decided the black color would match nicely with the character of our brick home.
I didn’t need to worry about painting the boxes in the future because they are molded plastic with built-in irrigation that encourages root growth for my plants.
Other noted additions were boxwoods, new gutters affixed to the underhang and summer annuals. I can appreciate the beauty of my home with the landscape renovation. By the end of summer, the sweet potato vines will cascade down, and it will be time to think about how to decorate for fall, winter, and next year’s spring. The Boston ferns add a nice touch to the black iron urns.
I love the feeling of accomplishment when projects are completed. You can talk about doing this and doing that and never make that move. I crossed this project off my to-do list for my home. I love my new view with a curbside appeal. Thoughts? Are there any home projects you recently conquered? Do tell.
Have a fabulous week!
I absolutely adore your house. Ah.. we here in The Netherlands have little space so the houses are small. Land is precious. But your house is not only big, it oozes cosyness and style. Beautiful. And your hard work improved it even.
Greetje
Greetje,
Greetings! Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate. We girls love our fashion but our homes are important too. A great reflection of who we are. I remember when I stopped by your blog, it was to see those divine curtains and get a peek at your lovely home. Thanks again for the comments, thank you.
I like the window boxes better that the large shrubs hiding the windows. The front of your house is so elegant. With the shape of the roof, it looks Mansard to me; a little French? Will the boxwoods not grow as high as your older shrubs or will you just trim them low? We just replaced all our gutters and finally the last two windows that came with the house (the windows were Pella from Lowes too). Houses are always needing care and I really like what you have done. I will probably be working on my house and farm until the day I die. We only have 30 acres but the kids and grand-kids want to keep it for their lifetimes, so we have to keep working on it-sort of a family legacy. I’ve gone on to long, but you touched on an important thing in my life-our homes because they reflect who we are as anything else we do.
Terri,
Hi! I really appreciate your comments. Most everyone is only interested in fashion over 50 but we are all so dimensional. I was so excited to share our landscaping project. We’ve lived in this house almost 25 years. It’s been a labor of love restoring and updating. Many years ago, the shrubs were nice but it was time for the mature and overgrown evergreens to go.
I love reading and seeing your fashion and would love to see your farm house on your many acres. I’m glad you and your hubby are keeping your farmhouse and land for your family to enjoy. My hubby keeps asking me if I want to downsize. I just enjoyed living in my old home.
Such a pretty addition. I did a similar thing when I lived in a house, and loved the result. The is lovely, I love the boxwoods, when the yare grown they will be so green, and thick. Cant wait to see the vines when they grow. What a perfect home, cherish it!
xx, Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com/
Elle,
Hello again! Thank you so much for the wonderful compliments on our landscape project. I chose the boxwoods to replace the overgrown yews because they are slow growing. I don’t want to deal with overgrown evergreens for many years and I look forward to every season decorating the window boxes.