Springtime Is Time For Rebirth
As the weather warmed it became apparent that Sylvia needed an exterior makeover as well as an interior one.
Through many conversations with neighbors we learned a lot about her history. The original owners were an older couple who had taken great pride in Sylvia and she once had been considered one of the nicest homes in the park. There had been an abundance of flowers and plants and a well maintained exterior appearance.. all of which had been long since lost.
Without a lot of money to spend on the outside due to so much being needed on the inside we set out for the most bang for the buck.
That meant that all the old junk left by previous owners had to go. So we collected it all together on the back patio area and called in the junk man.
Through many conversations with neighbors we learned a lot about her history. The original owners were an older couple who had taken great pride in Sylvia and she once had been considered one of the nicest homes in the park. There had been an abundance of flowers and plants and a well maintained exterior appearance.. all of which had been long since lost.
Without a lot of money to spend on the outside due to so much being needed on the inside we set out for the most bang for the buck.
That meant that all the old junk left by previous owners had to go. So we collected it all together on the back patio area and called in the junk man.
BEFORE
AFTER
With the junk gone we set about replacing the doors on the Florida room with new exterior storm doors. The old jalouse doors were missing panels of glass and had been covered with tarps to keep out the weather and "critters" . The new doors provided a more secure environment for the home and the opportunity for the screens to be opened for natural air conditioning.
The new doors were purchased on sale at a local Valu Home Center. We had measured the front door at 36" and ASSUMED the back door to be the same.. NOT! The back door was only 32" wide so we purchased a third door for that opening and will use the second wider door on the front entrance way later in the project.
Next came what to do with the land scape itself. The park had guidelines on what color we could paint the exterior and since we wouldn't be ready for the late spring deadline for painting outside we delayed that portion of the make over and opted for more subtle changes this year.
A 25 year old Hydrangea bush that was simply over whelmed with leaves and trash would be the first project on our list. We cleaned out all the debris and went about pruning and shaping it. At this point we didn't even know if it were alive or dead.. but we hoped that even a little hint of life would soon appear.
With leaves starting to appear we added fresh planting mix around the base. Then added solar lighting around the circular bed and down the side of the home.
To add more color to the landscape we placed window boxes along the cement pad of the Florida room and planted petunias and geraniums.
Planters filled with assorted annuals were added to front bay window ledge, and colorful hanging baskets were hung on the front patio. With a minimal budget we added color, and class to an otherwise bland outside.
When the weather warmed we added Sweet Williams and Bush Impatiens to the circular bed around the Hydrangea. Along with solar lighting that extends along the entire side of the home. The lighting which cost around a dollar a lamp added so much warmth and "lived in" feeling to the home instantly.
The Hydrangea rewarded us with at least a hundred huge blooms that turned a beautiful periwinkle blue. Sitting just off the back patio it is a wonderful addition the property.
In the end we spent less then $500.00 on the exterior / landscaping project and ended up with a more secure, and more attractive home.. not bad for the first four months of ownership
