This type of corner is so common in so many backyards. Unruly, untouched and unloved, it is just not very friendly. This transformation is satisfyingly sensitive to the tree that shades the area and provides structure and turns something quite unappealing into something that is very sophisticated. See the step-by-step transformation below.
1) Paint fence and the wall white - this cleans up messiness and brightens the whole space. It also unifies the disparate vertical surfaces.
2) Weed and Prune, but not too much — leave a few things to climb the walls. Also be careful not to raise the canopy of the tree too much — having a low 'ceiling' in a garden is a really nice feeling.
3) Install Cobblestone patio — Cobblestones are a great material for a small DIY project. They are easy to move, easy to work with and the end result has a lot of character.
4) Finish with rustic wicker furniture, a pretty light in the tree and other decorative elements like baskets and squishy pillows.
If you read Swedish (or use google translate) — you can read a bit more about Katarina's project on her blog, En Gron Sida.
(Images: en gron sida)
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Do they have mosquitoes in Sweden? I'd love to do something similar in my backyard but I know I wouldn't be able to enjoy it becuase of these little creatures.
That's a different fence in the before picture! I like it better in natural wood. But the rest are good ideas...nice garden.
This renovation is missing a few steps. She also planted shrubs behind the tree and got rid of the brick wall. Still, it's very nice, if not as simple as it looks.
That is so cute! I don't think I could handle having a white fence in my garden - I would end up having to wash it off and repaint it all the time to keep it white. Anything I do has to be low maintenance, so I would be painting that fence a color somewhere between Dirt and Dust in tone.
If you look closely they installed an new white fence in front of the wood one!
I'm a little confused because the first photo shows a different tree, and indeed a different fence. Pretty sure this isn't the same spot.
I find these photos confusing, as they all seem to be from a different angle.
It's kind of obvious now that there's a new fence, not just a painted one... I wonder if the translation says this.
Hello!
I'm Katarina and the pictures are from my blog. Thank you for your nice comments. Well, there are some misunderstandings... here we go! Yes there are mosquitoes in Sweden, but it's OK where I live (very south of Sweden and in a city). The fence - my neighbor made his first, and you could look through it. So I made another one. The idea was that that the fence should blend with the "clay coated" wall (sorry for my bad english), that is traditionally white. (The bricks are shown where the clay was damaged.) However, I'm not very pleased with this very white impression, so I have planted same roses to climb the fence and the wall (and make a roof together with the tree). Yes, it's the same spot and the same tree. But now the tree is in the focus, playing the mayor role of the place.
The very best to you all,
Katarina
I really like it, and I find those square stones fascinating. But why is there is a water bottle in the tree?
They were in the middle of installing the cobblestone. The tree was probably the best place to put a water bottle so it wouldn't get dust or dirt on it.
Looks really cosy, can just imagine enjoying a nice bbq and a good book right here. Ahhh. You've done a good job Katarina!
Lovely garden, and thanks for clearing up the misunderstandings, some of us here open our mouth before brain is in gear. :) I mention no names.
great job, looks lovely!
Goes to show it does not take a lot of sq footage to make a nice little retreat. I am happy to live in the city and have these small patches of yard/patio to work with and not have to tend to "grounds".
Darn. I was hoping the water bottle was some lovely Swedish custom. (e.g. In Italy, they put water bottles on their front steps to stop cats from peeing on them.)
Lovely lilttle corner of paradise. I'm already imagining adding a chaise to the grouping so I could enjoy a nap of a spring day. Enjoy!
we use those OFF personal bug fans, and they work pretty well for keeping mosquitoes at bay.
It's very cozy and inviting. I can imagine sitting there in the evening twilight with candles everywhere. I renovated a small space bordered by my garage, storage room and house a few years back. Used old red brick for the walk surface and surrounded the area with potted plants. The original walls were white, but the afternoon sun made the area blinding, so I quickly painted a pale green. Alas, I had to move, as the place had to be demolished (termite damage was severe).
It looks so inviting! Great job, Katarina, and thank you for sharing.
Love it. It looks so natural and inviting.
Once again, thank you for your nice comments. And the "mystery of the water bottle", well Pi your on the right track =oD
I happened to end up here as I noticed that my blog had a lot of traffic from this address (and this post). How lucky as this web site seems to be very nice with all this great ideas to admire and get inspired by...