Outdoor Living

A new roof will take care of odd-looking overhang

'Islands of vegetation' look too rustic

A clearly defined walkway that travels across the front of the house at an angle will fit in with the home's contemporary architecture.

Photograph by: Suzanne Rowe
, The Gazette

Only a few months ago, new homeowners moved into their first house. This property has many desirable qualities. The size of the lot is large, the architecture is contemporary and the windows look new. They are surrounded by mature hedges and trees ... but what's with the roof ? It's unknown whether it was the original concept or if the previous resident reinvented himself as an architect.

Because the roofing is tired and the look is all wrong, they've decided to address the problem by fixing the ugly overhang and have new shingles installed at the same time. I suggest a solid neutral dark brown which pairs well with the beige bricks.

The cornices, the horizontal gutters and the four top windows would also be painted a dark chocolate brown in a matte finish. To unify the base of the house, the two windows could be painted the same tint as the brick, again in matte. Presuming that the window lattices are removable, they ought to be cut to one-third of their height and painted brown. If they are permanent and inside the two layers of glass, the windows, cornices and horizontal gutters will absolutely have to be white. In either case, a simple new door with a frosted glass and twin side windows will also be the colour of the roof but in a semi-gloss finish.

The wooden siding needs a good mechanical sanding. I propose to cover the surface with an opaque stain in a strong camel-hair colour. The shed will also have to replicate the new scheme.

A made-to-measure nine square trellis made out of 1 ½'' posts and stained brown will connect the ''L'' shape flower box to the roof. In summer, reliable and droughttolerant annuals could effortlessly display clusters of cascading pink blooms. In winter, the container would lend itself beautifully to decorative pine branches and miniature white lights.

The choices of materials available for the construction of a pathway are numerous and will be decided according to the budget of the homeowners. I recommend the same beige tint as the bricks on the facade. The walkway will be much larger than the door and will go straight from there - then the direction will shift toward the driveway in a leaner width and at an angle. On the exterior side of the pathway, the same angular line should be extended all the way to the left side of the house to form another flower bed.

I would remove the rounded islands of vegetation in the centre of the lot. It looks too rustic in comparison with the style of the house. A miniature decorative tree was awkwardly planted on the lawn and in the middle of the lot. On the property, randomly positioned shrubs near the home are fighting for attention and for a place in the sun. The present vegetation around the area ought to be reused in a more coherent marriage and necessary spacing. After blossoming, an annual trim is recommended to retain the rounded shape and density of the flowering shrubs.

On the exposed soil, flowering ground cover could fill the void and discourage uninvited weeds. As a hedge, a repetition of white blooming perennials is tailored for the clean lines of the residence. A new crawling grey green conifer is installed below the left lower window. It will show off its purplish shades during the cold months. In the flower bed on the right, the owner's yellow evergreen bush will be planted away from the wall to help foster the sunlight into the basement.

The scattered rocks on the lawn could be recuperated and placed in the natural carpet under the ornamental tree.

On a lot of this size, one huge tree or three medium ones wouldn't be excessive if planted in a triangular formation and placing the one in the centre closer to the street.

Oh, I almost forgot ... for a trendier statement; a bigger simple light fixture in bronze or silver and bolder address numbers positioned vertically would be the finishing touch.

Vegetation (from left to right):

--Mugo (owner's evergreen bush, on the side of the house)

--Hemerocallis X Hybrida Double Cream (perennials, white)

--Juniperus Horizontalis Plumosa Compacta (grey green conifer)

--Pelargonium X Peltatum (annuals, pink, flower box)

--Campanula Capartica (per-ennial hedge, white, walkway)

--Spirea (owner's green leafed shrub, pink)

--Owner's yellow conifer

--Caragana (owner's, decora-tive tree)

--Aubrieta Deltoides (peren-nial ground cover, pink)

--Hypericum Kalmianum (owner's, near entry of new fence)

--Spireas (owner's, along the rest of the fence)

HOUSEWARMING

Most homes can use a little help when it comes to warming up their curb appeal. If you'd like some inexpensive ideas on how to improve the appearance of your home, send a clear photo of your house with your commentary to: Suzanne Rowe, Designer, suro@bell.net. Because of the volume of email she receives, it is not possible for her to individually reply to each correspondent.

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