Anyone Out There?

So I know I'm asking a lot, but if there's any chance only two people read this post, then there's a chance that I'll have two opinions.

All winter I've been trapped indoors, looking out onto a very twiggy landscape whilst tweaking little things indoors. I was so busy with interiors that I completely ignored the outdoors and this HORRIBLE mess. (Please note; the porch is our DIY station at the moment, so its messy, but a good messy).

THE 3 THINGS I HATE THE MOST

1) Apparently the previous owner didn't have a big love for landscaping, he covered the whole yard with gravel (shiver). Now that the little guy is about to take off, I would love a bit of a lawn to tumble across and picnic on. Is this too much to ask?!

an idea of just how much gravel there is

2) We tried to start a little garden in the South corner right in front of the deck, but the tree has a yard in shade for all but 3 hours in the day. Not too appealing for vegetables.... We have two choices, cut the bugger down or find all shade friendly lovelies to grace our place (he-he rhyming).

the great and too-shady tree

3) I don't even know where to begin with these flower beds. What were they originally for? Why put them here? And why must they insist on falling apart?! Ach!!!!

I really don't know where to go with this. I DO want a lawn that covers most of the yard. But how to make that work aesthetically? Maybe you can help.

Did I mention we'll be doing this on the cheap? Because we are.

So there you have it. No idea is too outrageous. What do you say? help please?

~Crys

When I close my eyes...

... I can see exactly how my cabin will look in five years (I hope its only five...). Right down to the pattern of the pillows for the couch. So, below is a list of my hopefuls (eventually I'll put up photos of my own place to compare, but for now- imagine all the walls as horizontal pine planks).

As soon as you walk through the front door and into the very long hall next the stairs, there will be a reading nook where our way-too-deep-to-conveniently-store-anything closet is.

To The left, a cozy master bedroom in grays and plums.

The master bath's charming (not white plastic) and unexpected tub.

And I'm most excited about my one-day kitchen,

Something VERY close to this

 

With open shelves, teal cabinets,

hanging pans,

and concrete counter tops

I even have plans for the garden

And these are just the big plans, I haven't mentioned the laundry room, living room, or sewing corner. Ah... one day!