Happy Friday, everyone! Today's post on our landscape & hardscape plans for the Murray Bungalow marks the very last of its kind -- it's our final "design plan" to share before we reveal finished work!! The whirlwind of activity is beginning to settle down and the end is in sight. We couldn't be happier with how this sweet house is shaping up!
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
When considering this project last fall, one of the home's most attractive features was its large, un-tapped back yard and the opportunity it presents to create usable and beautiful outdoor living space (we cover this whole discussion in our project introduction post here, if you're interested!). As the photos show, the existing yard is pretty much a blank slate. We're not sure how the previous owners used the space, but the potential to elevate the outdoor scene and accommodate all kinds of outdoor activities -- dining, entertaining, play zone for kiddos, gardening, etc. -- is huge!
INSPIRATION
In line with our vision to create a clean, minimal home exterior (read more about that here!), we're drawn to landscape and hardscape designs that are simple & streamlined, thoughtful but not overly fussy, and truly complementary to the look of the house. For landscaping specifically, we love how layered ornamental grasses and pretty perennials offset and soften a crisp white exterior, adding subtle variation of color and texture.
For hardscape, we love the simplicity & cohesiveness of using one material -- concrete pavers -- as a common building block to create both patio surface and "step stone" walkways.
SOURCES :
|1| unknown, |2| unknown.
|1| unknown, |2| unknown.
DESIGN PLAN
Inspired by the ideas above, here's our landscape & hardscape plan for the Murray Bungalow:
BACKYARD LIVING SPACE | Taking advantage of the large plot, we'll build an expansize patio off the back of the house to create an outdoor room for entertaining, grilling, dining, and relaxing. For hardscape material, we've chosen charcoal-grey 24" square pavers for a clean, modern look. We'll use these same pavers to create step stone pathways both in the back yard, leading from the back door to the patio, and at the front of the house connecting the front walk to the driveway.
LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS | We'll update all of the landscaping, beginning by highlighting the site's best natural assets: the gorgeous magnolia tree in the back yard and spacious turf area. We'll add definition to the yard via new flower beds along the front of the house, patio perimeter, and far east edge of the back yard. Plant species are TBD, but think soft, flowing grasses, mounding flower beds, & lush, layered greens.
HARDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS | We'll remove the broken pavement and gravel in the driveway and pour a new concrete pad that extends beyond the back entry to the home. This extension will make loading and unloading from the car so much easier, while adding space for parking.
MODERN ACCENTS | Finally, we'll repeat a handful of the same modern accents used at the front of the house to make the back entry just as welcoming, including exterior lighting, soft grey door color, and planters of varying heights and shapes.
BACKYARD LIVING SPACE | Taking advantage of the large plot, we'll build an expansize patio off the back of the house to create an outdoor room for entertaining, grilling, dining, and relaxing. For hardscape material, we've chosen charcoal-grey 24" square pavers for a clean, modern look. We'll use these same pavers to create step stone pathways both in the back yard, leading from the back door to the patio, and at the front of the house connecting the front walk to the driveway.
LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS | We'll update all of the landscaping, beginning by highlighting the site's best natural assets: the gorgeous magnolia tree in the back yard and spacious turf area. We'll add definition to the yard via new flower beds along the front of the house, patio perimeter, and far east edge of the back yard. Plant species are TBD, but think soft, flowing grasses, mounding flower beds, & lush, layered greens.
HARDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS | We'll remove the broken pavement and gravel in the driveway and pour a new concrete pad that extends beyond the back entry to the home. This extension will make loading and unloading from the car so much easier, while adding space for parking.
MODERN ACCENTS | Finally, we'll repeat a handful of the same modern accents used at the front of the house to make the back entry just as welcoming, including exterior lighting, soft grey door color, and planters of varying heights and shapes.
The chance to re-imagine and re-shape this yard is such a dream. These changes will no doubt have a dramatic impact on how the future owners use and enjoy the home, unlocking all kinds of possibilities for outdoor fun.
Be sure to follow along on Instagram for updates as we go: @dailyhomeco. Thanks for reading :).