Taking Time To Enjoy The View

 There is nothing like a sunny, Spring day walking on the beach with a warm coffee or hot chocolate. No matter what may be going on in your life you can’t help but take a few deep breaths and truly relax. You can sit, stroll, jog or run and the beach will wrap around you with it’s salty sea air & ocean noises.

 We are so fortunate to live in an area where access to the beach is plentiful and it is never more than a few minutes away….really, anyone in Qualicum Beach could have a sign like this one in their yard…..

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Photographs taken by my daughter Kaylie Knutson.

Landscaping….For Use & Re-Sale

The sun streamed through the windows this morning inviting us out to play.  Cleaning out the shed, pulling out the deck furniture (ok, I am being optimistic my long lost friend ‘the sun’ is going to stick around), and the kids on their bikes…very quickly the sweat shirts came off and we were enjoying soaking up the vitamin D. This glorious day got me thinking about getting the garden ready and fixing up the yard. Here are some things to think about if you are newly landscaping or if you are thinking about doing some outdoor renovations.

A properly installed and maintained landscape can yield a 100 to 200% return on investment at resale.  These tips will help you plan for your landscaping needs with a focus on resale value:

• Function – Showcase your home’s exterior with a manicured assortment of healthy grasses, trees, shrubs, plants, flowers and ornamental features
• Design – Plan to best utilize space and environmental conditions with consideration for changing lifestyle needs, maintenance requirements and your home’s exterior aesthetic
• Grasses – Choose appropriate varieties for your climate and soil conditions and keep it lush with a regime of seeding, watering, feeding, weeding and mowing 5-6 cm in height
• Trees & Shrubs – Plant what will thrive in your current conditions and position them to benefit home and garden aesthetics, taking care not to block entrances or street views
• Plants & Flowers – Mix annuals and perennials in mulched and weed-free beds as well as mobile containers of vibrant colour, avoiding plants toxic to pets or irritating to skin
• Ornamentation – Strategically place a subtle few complimentary features like arbours, decorative stone, planters, privacy screens, bird baths and décor items
• Lighting – Set a mood, highlight garden features and enjoy your space after dark with any combination of hardwired spot lights and lanterns, string lights, solars and torches
• Outdoor Rooms – Create and furnish distinctive spaces in your landscape for a variety of purposes including meal preparation, dining, socializing, relaxing and family play
• Fencing – Educate yourself on available materials and styles, choosing a durable option that protects your privacy and garden, and compliments your home’s aesthetic
• Storage – Organize garden tools and store furniture over winter months in a secure, durable and complimentary structure or in available spaces such as under a porch

If you desire assistance, interview a couple of landscapers, ensuring they are licensed where applicable, insured and agreeable to obtaining any required permits. With proper planning, your maintained landscape will provide you with a lifetime of pleasure and enjoyment.

Porches & Patios: Optimize No Matter What Size

 

Spring has sprung, (or will any day now!) and the time to prepare your outdoor space has come.  Whether you own a small porch, balcony, or a full-size patio, now is the time to get it ready for warmer weather and welcoming guests.

Beautify a Balcony
A balcony can be transformed into a cozy oasis with little work, and little expense.  Get the ground in shape for bare feet by covering it with outdoor carpeting or rattan mats.  For low-cost comfort, choose a chair or lounger with weather resistant cushions and add a small table for placing books or drinks. The use of planters to create balcony gardens is becoming more & more popular. They are a great source of fresh veggies & herbs but also adds great colour to your space. Top it all off with an interesting bird feeder, a small water fountain, or some wind chimes for interest and relaxation.

Personalize Porches
If front porches could speak, they should say “welcome”.  Choose simple furniture that is inviting and relaxing such as rocking chairs or compact swing gliders.  Put one or two large planters or urns near the entrance to your porch or home to greet visitors and use them to make a statement with seasonal arrangements that reflect your personal style.  Add colour with bright containers of flowers until spring colours emerge from the garden view.  Complete your work of art with the one thing every porch needs… a welcome mat!

 

Perk Up Patios                                
Patios are a place to escape from the bustle and activity of the home.  To help you get a little closer to nature, consider adding an arbor over your patio.  Attach climbing plants or vines around your arbor and scatter container plants of seasonal colour to soften your hardscape.  Stepping stones angled away from your patio adds dimension, even in the smallest of areas.  Add a birdbath or water fountain for tranquility and your patio haven becomes the ideal spot for relaxing solo or a serene backdrop for entertaining.

To spring ahead, think ahead.  Start sprucing up your outdoors now and you’ll extend your enjoyment right through to the warm, sunny days of summer.