These last few weeks have been filled with focus on the outdoors, and while we thought we had all plans in place, we were thrown a curve ball that changed a lot of how we’re moving forward. I shared the whole thing on Instagram stories you can still see it in my highlights but to recap, we were partnering with a local landscaper to redo our front and at the last minute after he’d already given us a date and we pulled out all the plants he decided he couldn’t work with us. As I said on Instagram, I don’t typically talk about the project pitches that get a no, the partnerships that don’t work out, or every hiccup we face in the midst of a project. I share this to show the other side of what I do. Not everything goes smoothly or as expected.
So here we’ve sat, with no landscaping, an HOA that requires it, and a half-done design from the company we were supposed to work with. Because this wasn’t something we budgeted for, at this point we’re probably going to have to forgo the irrigation system we were planning to add this year so we can get the plants. After thinking it over, we won’t skimp on the design. We can always add irrigation, but I don’t want to be re-landscaping in a few years. We’ll do the work ourselves, which were never afraid of doing and I’ve been watching all of the videos I can to figure out how to properly lay out a parterre.
Getting a designer to put something together was easier than I thought. Don Archer spent several decades doing landscape architecture in some of the wealthiest zip codes in the Kansas City area. When he went part-time, he decided to work closer to his home. He’s the resident designer at Colonial Gardens three days a week, and I knew when they told me about his past work he would be the guy for me. It was fun to see his eyes get excited when I came to him with pictures of our house and an explanation of what I love. There aren’t many people doing formal or traditional beds out here in the suburbs, I think this was a return to what he’s always shined at. Right away he said “I definitely just see green and whites for the front” and I could have hugged him right then and there! For $50, Don will draw up plans for you on the spot; such an amazing deal. Just call Colonial to schedule an appointment. In the end, he gave me plans and ideas I had never dreamed of…better than what I had in mind!
Things always have a way of working out, don’t they?
See more on our home exterior here.
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I knew it would work out. Need not obsess over things. I’m older than you. Time has taught me that.
I look forward to seeing the finished landscaping. Even if it takes a while.
Yes, I am praying for the day I worry less! Thanks so much!
So….when will you be sharing more details? Would love to see what you have planned!!
Soon! Right now we’re trying to get the details hammered out, should be planting in the next week!
So excited to hear about a designer at Colonial Gardens! We are at a loss on what to do in our backyard. Trying to only use local businesses we’ve bought our potting plants there and now we can have a design drawn up for our backyard! Thank you for sharing!
You’ll just love him! Best of luck!
I am so glad you posted about this! I have been wanting to get a landscape design but with other projects in the works was going to wait a year. Now I’m calling this guy ASAP! Thanks for sharing!!!
He’s amazing, you’ll love him, tell him hi for me!
Good luck with the DIY; it’s a lot of work, but very satisfying. I noticed Ivy on your list. Beware, like a lot of ground covers, this is super aggressive. I wish I never planted it. It’ll take over and strangles all other perennials, and the roots and vines are strong and a real work out to maintain/remove. It crawls up and under fences, bushes and even thru the foundation of our detached garage. Consider looking for a ground cover that has shallow roots; easy to rip out when it strays.
It was a crazy winter, and all over town the boxwoods are all brown (and I mean really brown), except mine. I don’t think burn is permanent on the English boxwoods, but I think it takes a year for recovery. I have the Korean boxwoods, and always wish I had the prettier shiny leaf type, until this year.
Good luck with the yard, I’m sure it’s going to look fabulous.
Yes, we have ivy in the back and I know all about it’s aggressiveness, but I love it so! Wow, that’s great that it held up, thank you so much!
Oh my gosh, I love you so much!! A parterre?!! That will be amazing and I can’t wait to see it come together. Both my sister and I love formal gardens (she’s a landscape designer) but our husbands prefer more casual plantings…so you know… compromises :). I will live vicariously through you. Sounds like you’re on the right path with a new and improved plan. Good luck with all the labor ahead. Yard work can be the biggest beast but by far the most rewarding.
You are so sweet! I was so thrilled at the thought and praying it all comes together well! Thanks so much, appreciate the encouragement!
I’m so glad you shared the “hiccup”, the bump in the road because honestly, everything you do seems so perfect and without flaw. It can get discouraging at this end. It helps those of us out here reading your stories to know that it doesn’t all go smoothly, but you find a way to gear up again and move towards your goal. Thanks for letting us know your perfection in design doesn’t come without it’s share of learning experiences!
I totally understand that, and that’s why I share. No project goes perfect and we all have bumps in our journeys!
I can’t wait to see how it will turn out! Carolina at Ironmongery Experts.
Can’t wait to share!