Show us the view from your home!
Tom Flanagan
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
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Marina
8 years agojomyersvertovec
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Help with ugly view from living/dining area
Comments (13)I would use plants to brighten the space. The hardscapes are all good, they just look a bit naked and grim. It can be hard to make a space pretty but usable for the kids too, but its not impossible. You have a lovely sitting area to enjoy. Plant some lovely feature bushes in that gravel area. You don't need to completely hide the clothesline, but having something pretty and showy in front will create a boundary and the eye will be drawn to the plants instead of the washing. If you can't plant into the soil there, some large size pots will work. Maybe some medium sized (1-2metre) ornamental trees in pots, like citrus, a weeping ornamental cherry, or bay trees, moptop robinias are nice too. They will be compact. You could cluster some pots of herbs underneath or plant them and let them ramble a little. Herbs like thyme and rosemary and lavender will suit the gravel area and the heat and be hardy with kids playing around, the odd bike falling on them or crushing underfoot would be quite okay. bulbs in pots or planted around the edges of the lawn are great value low maintenance and hardy colour. You can get great seasonal variation in your view then. Online bulb stores like tesselar and garden express sell bulk landscaping bulbs at very reasonable prices. You can get hundreds of bulbs for $30-50. Bulbs are great hardy plants that won't be killed by the odd soccer ball either. The flowers may get knocked over or the leaves, but the bulb is safe under the soil. Cheap and cheerfuls like nasturtiums are good value colour that will self seed every season. Also, plant some very bright flowering shrubs behind the soccer net and against the far wall. Maybe some hibiscus? You need something to catch and entice the eye, plant some large flowering shrubs with larger or bright flowers or foliage you will be able to appreciate from a distance....See MoreWin an iPad - Vote for your favourite Irish photo!
Comments (145)I love the cabin in the woods, its a intimate setting where you are drawn to the outside whilst keeping snug indoors. The use of fabrics sets it apart from the usual cold designs of other modern rooms. The attention detail in the selection of furniture pieces keeps it modern yet functional....See MoreWhere in your home do you most like to relax?
Comments (2)I would choose my conservatory as it is peaceful, clutter free and full of light. also lovely and warm so you can go for a Wee sleep....See MoreMy house is dark & damp and ineed suggestions about brightening it up?
Comments (0)I come across many old houses, such as the one you describe, that may seem like lost causes but have huge potential. When building to the back, many home owners think about the additional space they will gain, but don’t consider the impact the extension will have on existing spaces within the house. In the past, when they did think about light, they did such things as leaving the window in the old room to try to deflect some light from the new room. This led to unsightly extensions that looked as though they were lobbed onto the back of a house without becoming part of it. Generally, I would advise locating a new living, dining space and kitchen in the extension to the rear, and opening that room to the back garden through floor-to-ceiling glazing and doors. This will allow the natural daylight to flood the space and, importantly, provide you with a visual connection to the garden. When adding an extension to the back, though, you must remember that it will create a“middle area”, which is generally dark. My suggestion here is to put a lavatory or utility room, or both, into this space—these are two rooms that don’t need lots of light but can be valuable in your home. Another option would be to light the middle area by incorporating a roof window into the new extension, which will help to direct light into the darker spaces. The type of roof window to be installed will depend on the roof it is to be inserted into. For example, is it flat or pitched roof? We tend to use flat roofs as, unlike pitched roofs, they don’t break the eye line from your first-floor rear windows. Before you build an extension, though, you must ask if your house really needs it. Another option is to forgo the extension and any demolition and brighten up the existing rooms. There are clever tricks to transform a dark space. First, the use of lighter paint colours can help to create a brighter feel to the space and would be the least expensive way to approach the problem, although the end result will be limited. Avoid dark bulky furniture. You would be amazed at how much visual weight it adds to your space. For example, if you have a dark dresser, try swapping it with a lighter-toned table that has legs so that you can see the floor. Third,well-placed mirrors can visually expand a room and reflect light, making any space feel bigger and brighter. The dark feel of a house is often intensified by clutter. If you want a bright room, you should consider embracing minimalism. Good luck with your new home, and have fun in whatever you decide to do. Mark Davies is co-director of Arc Design; www.arcdesign.ie...See MoreKim Williams
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