Romantic Front Yard

Outer Spaces : Episode HSPA-106 -- More Projects »
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Before: This large front yard is attractive but the homeowners long for a more romantic setting to welcome them home at the end of the day. Because there's no backyard, the front yard must do double duty as an area for entertaining.
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After: A beautiful cobblestone pathway lends a timeless touch to the overall design plan and leads to the updated front porch with its fresh red door and simple wrought-iron accents.
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Before: The view to the street doesn't have anything interesting to stop the eye so cars become the focal point.
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After: A new archway and fence along the sidewalk coupled with curved planting beds and tree roses soften what was a bland expanse of grass.
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Before: The concrete porch is very important to the design because it's the first thing you see. It's in keeping with the Quaker style; built-in benches will be softened with pillows.
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After: The porch floor is freshened with a base coat and two complementary colors of paint brushed on in a cross-hatch pattern (a sealer protects the new finish). The door is painted red (and accented with a portion of an old iron gate) to carry the porch tones to the house.
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The plan divides the yard into four areas--the porch, a cutting garden, a dining pavilion and pathways to connect each area. The main path, begun years ago, will be finished by adding more cobblestones, and the cutting garden will provide flowers for indoors.
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The cutting garden is accented with wrought-iron pieces. Concrete stepping stones that look like pillows make walking around the plants easy. Plant cutting gardens in a sunny area with well-draining soil.
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The pavilion area is first leveled and then a wooden frame is put in place. Large pieces of broken concrete are recycled from the original sidewalk to create a floor, then surrounded by gravel. Furniture and accessories make the area comfortable and inviting.
Magazine editor Cathy Yarnovich thinks she's off to work, but her boss, designer Eileen Paulin, has other plans. She wants to surprise her employee with a front yard makeover with the help of Outer Spaces, Yarnovich's co-workers and husband, Greg Risling. Romance is the theme and they're all on the clock to get the yard ready for her return home from relaxing at a spa.

  • The unfinished stone pathway is completed and becomes the main design statement that holds the entire scheme together. The broken concrete is recycled to make an outdoor pavilion--an economical and ecologically-friendly idea.

  • A small pond is surrounded by smooth river rocks and small pieces of broken concrete recycled from the old sidewalk leading to the house. Tall grasses help create a natural look and floating plants help inhibit the growth of algae.

  • Wrought-iron furniture in the pavilion, including a round table, chairs and a tea cart along with various iron garden accents and salvaged items, lend a time-worn touch to the yard that the couple will enjoy for years to come.

The overall plan speaks to the romantic nature of the home's owners. Yarnovich is grateful for the hard work that her boss, garden designer Debra Prinzing, the magazine staff and the Outer Spaces crew have put in to bring this romantic garden to life.

porch paint (Adobe, Sisal and Winter Red by Sydney Harbor) (Porter's USA)
iron table, chairs, teacart, obelisks and hanging baskets (Iron Man), planter boxes and urns, decorative sprinkler head (Roger's Gardens)
concrete pillow stepping stones (green Tuffits) (Fremont Gardens)
pillows, cushions, tablecloth, runner and napkins (Laurie Bell Outdoor Occasions)
blanket chest on porch (CLBC-M-W) (Yesteryear Wicker)
iron boot scrape (door mat) (60379), wall panels on porch (27653), garden trellises and gates (51780, 60377) (CBK, Ltd.)
arbor (Tuffbilt--out of business)

Resources
paint by Sydney Harbor
Porter's USA
E-mail: shpco@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.porterspaints.com

decorative project materials
Roger's Gardens
2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd.
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
Phone: 949-640-5800
Toll-Free Phone: 800-647-2356
E-mail: webmaster@rogersgardens.com
Website: www.rogersgardens.com

decorative project materials
Laurie Bell Outdoor Occasions
PO Box 10314
Greensboro, NC 27404
Phone: 336-362-4133
E-mail: laurie@lauriebell.com
Website: www.lauriebell.com

decorative project materials
Yesteryear Wicker
7616 Investment Ct.
Owings, MD 20736
Phone: 410-257-1302
Toll-Free Phone: 800-597-7061
Fax: 410-257-1306
E-mail: info@yesteryearwicker.com
Website: www.yesteryearwicker.com

decorative project materials
CBK, Ltd.
600 E. Sherwood Dr.
Union City, TN 38261
E-mail: customerservice@cbkltd.com
Website: www.cbkhome.com

decorative project materials
Fremont Gardens
4001 Leary Way NW
Seattle, WA 98107
Phone: 206-781-8283
Website: www.fremontgardens.com
Guests
Eileen Paulin
Author
Website: www.eileenpaulin.com

Debra Prinzing, Garden Designer/Editor
Phone: 206-769-8211
E-mail: dkprinzing@aol.com
Also in this Episode