Our top patio (or terrace as a friend insists), the part of our garden that we are least content with. You would think that with it being nearest to the house it would be the first one to be developed. But no it wasn't and it's turned out to be the last.
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| The top patio, back in the day before the conservatory got built |
We've entertained so many ideas on what to do with it and we sort of have made a decision on the layout and what look it will have. But because we have delayed doing anything long term with it more and more ideas have accumulated thoughts have evolved ever since we started planning for it.
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| Another back in the day photo |
Initially we thought of changing it three years ago but the finishing of the pond build then the house renovation took priorities and it got side tracked. Then there was the garden fire on top of that and the subsequent much needed repair of the garden meant making over the top patio was even less of a priority. We thought that in 2014 we would be ready to tackle it but by then we were exhausted by the intense preceding years that we decided not to go ahead and postpone the undertaking on what will really be a huge project (the koi shed we consider a small project).
Besides, there was no real need to rush, it's not like it is in a bad state. In fact it's not bad at all. It's a top patio that we inherited when we bought the house and most of it has remained the same ever since. It ain't broke so no rush to fix it.
Just not to our full taste that's all.
And it's not linked to the scheme of the koi pond area and the conservatory. The top patio has the potential to link and complement the two areas nicely.
Going back to 2014, we decided then not to go ahead with any major/permanent makeover and just make the space neat and usable. The paving was alright, the fences were fine....
Until I came home from work to find one of our neighbours attached cheap trellises on their side of the fences on the top patio area. It was to keep their new dog from jumping over the fences which could potentially harm our cats. Good intentions, fair play but...
Boy those trellises are UGLY! And they're not even symmetrical which didn't help at all. We we're happy to make do but after seeing those trellises that sense of discontent reared its ugly head again. Sigh!
We made a half hearted attempt to make the most of it by hanging random garden accessories on the trellis, at least pass it off as 'quirky' but to no avail. What can be seen cannot lie, at least to us.
Back to the present we're not sure if we have the time and/or the energy to do this long overdue makeover so we'll make do for now once again. But those trellises still bugged us, especially me. We can't get rid of it, but we can at least reduce its view for now.
Unfortunately they were placed way above the highest point of brick posts and if we put on fence panels to totally cover them it would look silly as they will be above the posts. So we settled with new fence panels that will be at level with the posts and partially obscure those offending trellises. There's is a climber making it's way over one of them already and hopefully in no time both will be colonised and serve as just a green backdrop.
The new fence panels may or may not be temporary, depends on what we actually do on the top patio when we eventually get to do that makeover. For now that will do.
And for this year I might do something fun on this space albeit non committal and temporary. I'll have fun before we commit. That should stave off and delay the sense of discontent, buy time before it gets too unbearable. And hopefully by then we actually have time and energy again to do it.
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Shared fences are always a potential point of contention. I think you came up with a good solution for this season at least!
ReplyDeleteIndeed Alan :) for now anyway and would have preferred to have hidden all of the trellises
DeleteDecisions decisions ! It is part pleasure and part pain planning new areas in the garden! Whatever you do I'm sure it will be fantastic!
ReplyDeleteHope so Jane :)
DeleteCamouflage works for now!
ReplyDeleteIndeed Kris, that'll do for now :)
DeleteI also think it is a good solution for now. And maybe when the climbers take over the trellises it will look much better.
ReplyDeleteIt would be much better once the climber has wrapped on all of the visible parts of the trellises Lisa :)
DeleteCamouflaging the views beyond our fence lines has been a ten year project that is just now beginning to come together. We've become masters of selective viewing in the meantime.
ReplyDeleteSometimes that that best way to approach, be selective about what you see rather than continue to be irritated. Partially hiding does help too Ricki :)
DeleteAre you a bit OCD? Not symmetrical? I must have bad eyesight as they look fine, not the prettiest I know but why not send a Cobea Scandon up them, an annual, so can be pulled down at the end of the season, let me know if you want one xx
ReplyDeleteNot in particular but what I meant about the symmetry is that the two trellises were not put on evenly, rather just plonked on. It's good to be a little bit OCD sometimes ;)
DeleteI love the fence panels you picked. If you could have a permanent fence built that goes all the way to the top so it covers the lattice work, that would be great.
ReplyDeleteWe've been lucky when we had to replace our backyard fence in that we get along well with all neighbors involved so we split the costs 50:50.
It would be good if the eventual fence that will go on it will be high enough to cover those trellises, will see how it goes, depending on what's decided on later :) quite like them too Gerhard! Just deciding now what colour to paint it, even if it's a colour just for this year.
DeleteWhat a nice neighbour who is so thoughtful about the welfare of your cats. All you do is moan about the symmetry :-) Why not offer to replace the trellis with something more to your taste. I am certain you could say something like "It won't be strong enough for the plants you intend to grow against it". Noticed you have a Selinum decipiens growing in front of it so perhaps another few of those will blanket out everything when they flower.
ReplyDeleteNice of them really but a nicer trellis would have been better :)) actually we provided them with a very good one on one of the fence panels which is hidden from view. But they didn't ask when they put those two you can see on the pic, it was a lets just say a definite surprise to see one evening we came back home from work. If only they have asked beforehand....
DeleteNeighbors are the same the world over...some are wonderful, some are...disappointments.
ReplyDeleteSo true Gail...
DeleteTerrace does have a fancy ring. Bet that vine will do its job in no time.
ReplyDeleteWe hope so Patricia, hope it's more vigorous this year.
DeleteLets hope the climber grows fast!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed Debs!
DeleteI think those new fence panels look great. You guys did a lot of work last year, so it's no wonder you feel a bit burnt out. The time will come again when you have the energy and the desire to make the changes you have in mind, and maybe waiting a while will enable you to come up with some great new ideas.
ReplyDeleteHappy to wait awhile Amy, we need a little break indeed from doing major projects :)
Deleteyou can't go wrong if you manage to cover the fence with green leaves. There must be a formula for your predicament, that I can totally relate to: something like decision depends on level of energy and level of discomfort with current situation ...
ReplyDeleteIndeed Sue :) I suppose it all depends which one is least bearable
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