Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Mom's Place - Exterior



I had a GREAT visit with my Mom and her husband, Randy, this Christmas.
Their home is such a magical, little place. Filled with treasures they've collected over the years. Memories are oozing from every nook and cranny. From the tiny seashells resting on the window sill, hand-plucked by Mom- to the collection of vintage beer cans neatly displayed by Randy inside an old beadboard hutch.

In the front yard, Santa welcomed us:



They live in Florida, and my Mom has a thing for Flamingos, so not far away from Santa- stands this guy:



On the front porch, Mom even decked out the ferns with big, red bows:



You can also access the front porch from the side of the house. Don't you just love the lush little pathway?



As you walk toward the back of the house, there is a sweet little garden nestled up against the left side of the house:



And when you enter through the back gate, you find their pool. Notice how she cut the hedge in the shape of waves!



You've heard about parents hanging their kids artwork on the fridge? Well, about 8 years ago, to the left of the pool, Mom had me paint a mural on the side of the garage. :-)



Here's how it looks at night:



Through the gate on the right side of the pictures above, you'll find their "Secret Garden". Complete with table and chairs, hammock and a custom-built dog house.





Beyond the Secret Garden, is the Tree House. Mom and Randy enjoy "Happy Hour" up there, and invite their guests to help decorate the tree limbs with Mardi Gras beads.



The Tree House is surrounded by woods. My Mom carved out a little walking path, and placed these two old wood chairs near the end of it.



For Halloween, she decorated the path in the woods with toy spiders, witches, jack-o-lanterns, "napkin ghosts" and draped Spanish Moss from the branches for my nephew Maddox. He loved it, but won't touch any of the spiders. :-)



In front of the Tree House is a vegetable garden. Here's Mom showing us their gorgeous cabbage crop:





And working your way back towards the house, you'll find their horseshoe pit. I love the seating area off to the side:



Next to the pool, stands this old lighthouse. It was there when they moved in, and yes, it does actually work! It adds so much character, doesn't it?



Since her Flamingo Garden wasn't in bloom, I'll have to save that for a post later this summer. Everything in it is pink. It's beautiful.

Tomorrow I'll take you inside their place and show you some of my favorite things.
See ya then!
:-)
Layla

27 comments:

Femin said...

Nice PICS

Decor To Adore said...

You can tell that love lives within this home.

Lindsay family said...

Lovely pictures!

Can anyone tell me how to get borders around the pictures? I love that look.

Shorty said...

Beautiful pictures! I'm so glad I've found your site....your posts are very enjoyable, and your decorating ideas are fabulous! Happy New Year to you!

Sheri @ www.careergirlinterrupted.com said...

Oh Layla - i didn't know your mom was close to me! What part of FL is she in? I love the magic of her yard - and being raised here I can appreciate every bit of it. (Nice mural btw :) ) Happy New Year!

MauritaMason said...

I love the blue door.

Gina said...

Their home is so inviting... thanks for sharing!

~ Lisa @ AbidingThere~ said...

Such a fun place! I love all the personality. Happy New Year!

dlh said...

wow! What a wonderful home.

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

That place oozes charm and a special magic and charisma. Certinaly, a secret garden!

Anonymous said...

I found your site through Blogs of Note...I don't always subscribe, however, I am enjoying your place here. I live in Florida (as your mom does) and I enjoyed the how homey her place is. Thanks for sharing. BTW....I absolutely love Design Star and I hope that you are able to make your way onto the show!!!!

HeyMiemie said...

Beautiful! It makes me long for places I have never been to...

Christy said...

I love porches with hanging ferns, and your dolphin mural is really cool. Happy New Year!

tiger_eyes08 said...

I love it! It sounds like such a cozy and sweet place to live! You and your family have really got a knack for creativity and house design. Your nephew's adorable too. Keep living, loving, and laughing!

The Pampered World said...

I so love your mom's backyard!! What an awesome place!
Happy New Year to you!

Deserae said...

It was such a treat to see your mom's gorgeous garden! Especially since everything around here is currently a blah shade of brown! LOL...I can't wait to see the inside tomorrow!!!!
Happy New Year!
~Des

Femin Susan said...

your blog is very interesting and imaginative too."Their home is such a magical, little place" this shows your imagination.
wish you a new year sparkling with joy and happiness!happy 2009!

iiiii said...

What a gorgeous place! I found you on Blog Buzz:O) I'm from Florida, and even looking at the first pic, I knew it had to be home. So pretty!

Jessie

Rain Blanken said...

Jeezaloo! What a fantastic place to grow up as a kid!! I wouldn't mind just spending the holidays somewhere warm, but it looks like your mom has got a little utopia going on down there! Great photos!


**-2008 End of Year Blog Marathon- You are my 43rd stop in an 8 hour posting extravaganza! A link to your site will be posted at Stomped Monster!** Follow my marathon live at Twitter: DIY_Rain

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

What a precious home! Thanks for sharing it, with us.

And what a young lookin' Mom! :-)

I found your blog, from a link on Debra's As I See It Now! She said she was surfing and found you, who have lots of cute decorating ideas, inside and out. And she was right.

Happy New Year to you and yours,
Aunt Amelia
"The night was clear and frosty, all ebony of shadow and silver of snowy slope; big stars were shining over the silent fields."

Chris said...

Well NOW I know where you get it from! I kept staring at each picture trying to get a feel for it. It's beautiful!!! The little "secret spots" everywhere are my favorite. I can't wait for tomorrow!

Dana and Daisy said...

I love that bright blue door in the secret garden!

Unknown said...

Simply mind blowing, looks like the house from wonderland!

Rose - Watching Waves said...

"From the tiny seashells resting on the window sill,..." ... treasures collected over the years - I think a place has that special magic when it's been allowed to evolve with a loving hand to guide it. (as opposed to something that is "decorated.") Good design takes time and often includes us getting out of the way. Instead of over-decorating the path, your mom has simply added to it, allowing the path to be the path, with a couple of simple chairs at the end.

It's evident that she's a beautiful soul living in harmony with the world.

Diane said...

I just stumbled upon your blog, which is just lovely! I adore all things cottage as well :)

And your mom is way cool!

Happy New Year!

Linda-B said...

I love you blog, and your Mom's place is truly beautiful!

Teacats said...

What a truly loved -- and loving home! Obviously a place where creativity and imagination are allowed to roam freely -- and magic abounds! A home in all senses -- not just a house or residence! Thanks for sharing -- I can tell where you get your gift for for seeing "possibilities" in all things!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage