Sticky Note Fun Facts

Spruce Up Your Yard! 

 

As it starts to get warmer outside (finally!) we all get an itch to start wearing sandals and shorts, buy some new summer clothes, and start planning summer vacation trips. But springtime also means yard work and after a hard winter, all of our yards could use a bit of a makeover. So, we've searched around and found some simple and easy (and some more drastic) changes that you can make to your yard and get it all ready for the warmer months ahead! 

 

Cheap and Easy Fixes

 A fabulous find at a thrift store: shams, a bolster and fabric for a total of $5.40. It was all RMSer scribbles2 needed to turn an older glider, purchased at a yard sale, into a cozy garden bench.

When a neighbor tore out a deck and left the pieces on the curb, RMSer Chicago Recycler had the materials for her porch redo. She built this table out of the 2x12s (top) and 4x4s (legs), using scrap 2x4s for the supporting structure, and she gave it an antique mahogany stain. She also built the benches at each end, using a nailhead finish to secure the cushion fabric. To dress up the blank wall, she built a faux fireplace out of the scrap wood.

This homeowner's path to the backyard wound past a blank side wall of the house. To camouflage its awkwardness, he hung a simple trellis and a birdfeeder, and thereby created an instant garden nook.

Galvanized cans take on a whole new life, thanks to Brian Patrick Flynn, who drilled holes in them, added casters and turned them into sleek rolling container gardens.

Simple picture frames are the heart of this beautiful home address, and clematis adds the finishing flourish. Posted by RMSer nwphillygardener

Revitalize a tired concrete patio with color stain. (The concrete needs to be unpainted and unstained.)

Recycle extra cookware — colanders are perfect because they already have drainage holes — into planters for your kitchen garden.

 

And Now For The More Drastic Changes...

 

Cozy Gathering Space

The contemporary seating around the copper fire pit allows for a cozy large gathering. The fire pit brings warmth, while a copper water feature adds dimension to the space. Vibrant pillows are the only touches of color in the outdoor space. Design by Jane Ellison

Romantic Outdoor Dining

Landscape designer Patricia Wagner placed a small dining table underneath a white pergola to create a romantic outdoor dining experience. The candle chandelier, coupled with the hanging white wisteria, provides a calming ambiance. Several container plants enhance the serene look.

Mediterranean Paradise

This small corner garden room has an intimate feel with its abundance of greenery and Mediterranean plants. For privacy, landscape designer Katrina Leonidov Fairchild provided a fence surrounded by tall, lush plants. A hammock provides a place to relax and read a book.

Low-Maintenance and Relaxing

For a low-maintenance yard, Groundworks Inc. used artificial turf instead of grass. The sofa provides plenty of room for lounging and enjoying the surrounding greenery.

A Stroll Through the Garden

A curvy brick pathway leads to a calm, abundant garden. RMS user JackL lined the pathway with coral bells for a relaxing, eye-pleasing stroll through the garden. A few lanterns along the way add subtle lighting.

Don't Forget the Ceiling

Designer Ashley Astleford's main focus when designing this room was incorporating a lot of color. Bringing color to a space can change its ambiance without emptying your wallet. Throw pillows do the trick, but paint unexpected surfaces — like the ceiling — to really brighten the room.

Rustic-Style Eating Area

Basketweave containers as stools are a cost-effective way of bringing a rustic look to your outdoor space. You can create the look of this table by placing a tabletop or piece of glass atop sturdy logs or stumps.

Vertical Potted Plants

Adding a vertical garden heightens your outdoor space. To keep the cost low, attach terra-cotta pots with clamps to a plain wall for a cool effect. The trailing herbs and plants in this space give it a Mediterranean look and expand its small size.