Wednesday, June 10, 2009

A Room with a View!

My bedroom window
A book by E.M. Forster, "A Room With a View" is what comes to mind as I look out my windows. A long time ago when I was studying landscaping books one idea of how to design a garden caught my attention. Using your windows as a picture frame. Design your garden from that perspective, inside out. I remember looking around my house thinking I do not have hardly any windows that even look out into the garden. Years later when I had the chance to build a new home I remembered that piece of advice. We looked for property with a view, nothing spectacular, but just a bit of borrowed scenery. I was adamant to find some plans that had great windows that face the view at the back of the house. It turned out splendidly. I love that as I go from room to room I have a lovely picture to look at out side my windows. (I cannot bear to put a single curtain on them) I designed my gardens with that thought in mind. This year as things have really started to fill in (3 1/2 yrs) I have been noticing my "rooms with a view".
This is the scene out the breakfast nook window.
Front courtyard
Looking out the front room/study windows I see my courtyard in full bloom. Which actually was not planned but a nice accident none the less. You see our lot was so narrow we had to have one of those garages that sticks out like a nose in front of the house. Horrid in my mind. But somewhere along the way of designing and construction I thought of a courtyard. Now what was once a negative, turned out to be one of the highlights of our home. I was able to design a small wall and some well placed plants that provides a private spot out in the front courtyard for my morning coffee. I have a lovely view from the great room too, facing the back. Almost floor to ceiling windows as code would allow plus a nine foot glass door
Looking from the outside in
This is the only picture I have from the inside out that was taken the first summer w/out a garden yet to be planted. Now it is a lush scene for sure. Being an artist that is use to looking at a canvas this was one great way to plan and design my garden .

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful idea. Most homes now do have more and larger windows than a few years back. I can sit in my living/dining room and see from the front to the back. I love it. Your home is beautiful and I can tell how happy you are there and of course happy because of who is with you. Blessings
QMM

Judy said...

Beautiful views all around...and I love the courtyard idea!

Just a little something from Judy said...

I am thinking as I just finished viewing your gorgeous pictures, that with my hot cup of coffee and muffin, I would never be leaving the breakfast nook of your home. I would be stay there all day. So lovely. The courtyard too, is beautiful!

Vee said...

You've done such a beautiful job in such a short amount of time, too. I love that idea that the windows serve as a frame for a picture...hmmm. Most of the time, we don't get the kind of control that you have achieved with your thoughtful and careful planning.

On This Rock said...

Absolutely gorgeous...your courtyard is beautiful. You are right...no curtains! It must be like celebrating creation (and the Creator) ongoing...

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