apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

...a number of “rooms” that can be used either for disparate functions or collectively for entertaining. For about four months of the year, I spend far more time in the garden than in the house, making it a true extension of the living space. When I work from home, I even set up my laptop in a cool nook of the garden I call the “gardenette.” Another cool corner of the yard with a vintage iron chair is an ideal spot to become one with a book.

My small city space is enjoyed from spring through fall for reading, writing, daydreaming, napping, eating and entertaining. I absolutely love the character and style of my old, urban house, but it is the garden that truly makes it a home.

How did you create it?:

When my partner and I bought our 100-year-old Salt Lake City home, the small backyard was little more than thoroughly compressed clay, a splintery deck and the frame of a never-completed greenhouse. Largely exposed to the merciless summer sun, nothing grew in this desolate space -- not even weeds. We wanted to create an outdoor space that was beautiful and distinct, yet easy to maintain, environmentally efficient, and adaptable to evolving uses and tastes.

The whole transformation was very inexpensive, required no experience, and has been utterly satisfying. We also make our own compost behind the garage, so the yard has, to a certain degree, a low environmental impact.

Recommended store, site, product or resource?

Utelite E-Soil is an amazing product to help revive compressed clay soil.

Look for demolition sites of in your area and ask someone if you can salvage materials. When the dilapidated brick garage on my property collapsed under its own weight, I used the bricks to surface my yard. Several neighbors asked if they could take some of the bricks and I was more than happy to let them haul them away!