Garden Progress ....

Its amazing how quickly a yard comes together, one minute its one giant sand pit and then the next we finally start getting a bit of potential.

We have a structure, we have finalised out levels and are now working towards grass..... ok perhaps not real grass but a nice version of artificial turf. That will be sorted next trip but for now we had to find a way to hold back the mounds of dirt that separate us and our neighbours block. The answer was rough treated railway sleepers. They are textural, they have character and the colour looks amazing with green.

So now are nearly there, well not even close but we are one step closer to a non sandy backyard.

Obviously with all our weekend work neither hubby or I can move without wincing but hey .... just look - it was worth it!

Just so you can see how far we have come ... the before picture!

Storm Damage

So I have been MIA for the last few days and the main reason is .... storm damage.

Nothing so common as lifted roof sheets for us .... oh no, the damage to our property was much more insidious. The fence we really don't want to deal with is trying to fall down.

Major cracks appeared in the ground holding it up, sever leaning and ominous cracking mean we have spent the last few days digging it out and reinforcing it so that it doesn't fall down before we are ready to deal with it.

Not to much writing today, my hands and arms are dying but a few pics to keep you going.

New Purchase - Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Side Table

That's right, Miss V has been shopping yet again and this time she is actually jumping up and down with excitement.

Why .... because she found the most AMAZING side table ever. Think black lacquer, think beautiful detail, think hidden compartments and finally think lions feet!!!

Such a cool piece and I'm desperate to find out details. Only I can't seem to find anything on-line.

However .... slowly slowly, I will discover it secrets but for now, I'm just happy to admire it!

Blue and White Candy Buffet ....

I have a booking this weekend for a lovely woman for her son. Its his 1st birthday / Christening and I am pretty excited about this one.

Designing for kids is great fun! Designing something sweet and beautiful gives you so many opportunities to be creative.

Bring on Saturday .... 

Garden Dreaming ....

So the garden plans continue and it seems to be a lot of backward and forward - planning levels of garden beds, trees and even the ground levels seems to go around and around in circles. 

Hubby and I negotiate, we talk, discuss and then argue our point if necessary. Deciding on a particular species of tree or plant in the garden centre was almost humorous with both trying to sell their favourites to the others with no success.

Now during all this we are mindful that the block is small - the gardens are tiny and every decision we make is vital. I sometimes imagine it would be both easier and harder to have more space. 

Would we still agonise over the smallest detail or would we be a bit free'er with our design? 

These gardens certainly give the impression they just sprung up without might thought? This is a future dream perhaps .... a far distant future dream!

Vegetable Gardens ARE Scary!

That's right, I'm putting it out there, the whole idea of having a vegetable garden is scary as hell. 

Firstly, it makes you environmentally responsible which is a great thing. Your feel empowered and able to do your bit, your going to save yourself money on food shopping and what you eat will be fresh and preservative free. You will be a healthier person, you will be looking after the environment .... everything is good.

And then you look at the space, the big blank canvas .... the area looks daunting, what if it doesn't work, what if its too much work, how can I look after a space this big ... hell I don't even know what to grow.

So yes, right now I'm not feeling empowered I'm feeling scared, such a big space, such a lot of responsibility to get it right. 

I might go buy a book but even that's going to confuse me .... I need a plan, I need a way forward and I need whole lot of courage!

Garden Design Begins ....

This trip with Hubby home we seem to be on fire when it comes to getting things done.

Our latest work .... the gardens begin.  That's right, 3 trailer loads of bad soil removed, 2 trailer loads of good soil in so far and we have a few plants to start with.

Our inspiration comes from the picture below - a soft yet formal garden in vibrant colours and lots of texture.

What do you think so far .... do you see the potential we do?