Gardening is not my thing; that is keeping plants alive. I think if I just walk by one, it will wilt and dry up. The bugs and the dirt are not my thing either. I break out in a rash just being outside. When I was a girl scout, my badges were mostly art and crafts, never for outdoors… I was an awesome cookie salesgirl!
I have made attempts over the years I have had a garden. At first I was really into it I had design ideas and color concepts. Design, Design, Design is what I love so this should be easy, I can do this…. Wrong…I never really mastered it; picked the wrong plants, over-watered, under-watered and I had to be outside a lot with those bugs. A few years ago I decided to turn it over to a professional but have struggled a bit with maintaining the plants and flowers.
I received a big lesson this last time with my landscaper. I realized that for our previous consults I didn’t prepare and neither had he. This time I told him what my needs were low maintenance (okay no maintenance for me and low for my lawn service) and my color preferences. I wanted to keep the original layout of the garden intact. I really loved creating it with the original landscaper that worked on the house. Once I was able to tell him that, we were able to get a better design for the garden.
Now to decorating. This is for all of you, from those who want to use a designer to the DIYers. What I do with all of my clients is make a list of what it is they need and want. I ask them how they live in their home. Be it relaxed to a more formal entertaining style. And ask them to consider styles they like; suggest cutting out magazines pictures, look at their friend’s homes they like, and even displays in a home store. Getting the facts first makes for a great design for the client.
I love a very clean look to my garden with highlights of warm colors, but I needed to learn from the experts what type of flowers would work for my lifestyle and the climate. Note that I said, “use an expert for what I need”, it may be that you just need to help to get the look you want. But most of all, my lesson learned is something from my Girl Scout days, their motto “Be Prepared”!
Views of my front garden, got a unique little batch of pink there, decided to keep it for fun..
Happy Decorating! Karen
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
However you did this, it looks beautiful!!!
And I love the photo!
My thoughts about it: there is a time to pay for professional advice! Gardening and decorating.
Thanks, Wrenda! Yes having professional advice created it for me…