Desperate to update the unsightly drop by the end of their drive, Joseph and Robin Amorello planned a redesign themselves, to a budget. The couple wanted extra space for gardening in their home in Topsham, Maine, but didn’t want to pay a fortune to get it. By doing the work by themselves and making smart purchases, they spent less than $300 from start to finish.
Salvaged furniture, brightly colored accents, a supply of free compost and heirloom seeds helped the couple maintain this job cheap but attractive. This labor of love is currently blooming with unlimited edible plants and supplies a spot for soaking up the sun. “The money was spent on Advil after shoveling all of that compost!” says Robin.
Robin Amorello, CKD CAPS – Atmoscaper Design
Although eliminating the expanse of dirt and adding visual interest had been the couple’s major motives, Joseph and Robin both love to garden and desired a space for growing their favorite plants. Joseph is Italian and loves to plant tomatoes, cucumbers and basil. Robin wanted a special spot for shade-tolerant plants. Creating a lush haven about that 12-foot by 16-foot drop was the perfect answer.
Robin Amorello, CKD CAPS – Atmoscaper Design
Spatial planning comes readily to Robin, since she is a kitchen and bath designer. After she and her husband created the idea, she whipped up some plans straight away. “By the end of that weekend, I had drafted the plans and arranged the hardware to build the raised beds,” she states. “I was out there in my wellies on Monday morning beginning the practice of removing all that ghastly gravel.”
Robin Amorello, CKD CAPS – Atmoscaper Design
Right now, the interior of the construction is a very simple garden shed, but Robin’s expecting to refurbish the entire thing following year. For now, front deck allows the couple enjoy the hot weather and their expansive garden.
Robin Amorello, CKD CAPS – Atmoscaper Design
“Variety is our mantra,” states Robin of the garden. “We develop a tiny bit of a lot of things” This season the couple’s planted beets, two distinct sorts of kale, many types of beans, garlic, onions, strawberries, swiss chard, parsley and a number of other edibles.
Robin Amorello, CKD CAPS – Atmoscaper Design
BEFORE: Initially, the drop was magnificent at the end of the driveway. Robin and Joseph gave it a fresh coat of stain first for an instant update. The deeper color eliminated faded stains and helped the rest of the colour palette burst.
Robin Amorello, CKD CAPS – Atmoscaper Design
AFTER: The bottle-green cut was toned down using a neutral green. The brightly colored accents were spur-of-the-moment additions that offer a touch of whimsy. “My sense with colour is that it may be readily changed,” says Robin. “Try it! If it doesn’t work, you could always paint over it.”
Robin Amorello, CKD CAPS – Atmoscaper Design
Virtually all the couple’s outside furniture was salvaged. The beach chairs were discovered in the back of the drop. Robin gave them a coat of exterior latex paint to brighten them up and include some durability. The wicker table was discovered at the city dump and freshened up using spray paint. The trellises were bought from Lowe’s and then repainted.
Robin Amorello, CKD CAPS – Atmoscaper Design
BEFORE: Fixing the actual shed was the easy part. The challenging part was getting rid of the dirt, leveling and building the beds, then filling them with dirt and compost. “It was lots of heavy lifting,” says Robin.
Robin Amorello, CKD CAPS – Atmoscaper Design
AFTER: The garden was built completely from scratch; many of the work was completed in spring and summer 2011. Joseph and Robin additional 185 square feet of planting distance to the drop, and about 35 square feet for the shade garden off the rear of the deck.
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