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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: cherry trees

Inspiration Photo Friday: Falling in Love

06 Friday Sep 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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Tags

autumn, cherry trees, earth, fall, falling in love, grass, harvest, heaven, home sweet home, long island, love, mother earth, nature, new york, overgrowth, pear trees, seasons, spring, summer, trees, weather

I have been in love with nature since I can remember. Always wanting to be surrounded by grass and trees and getting inspired by the beautiful varieties and colors of plants and flowers, Mother Nature will forever have my heart.

The spring and summer seasons are nice but fall is my favorite. It’s full of rustic hues and woodsy tones and sets up the stage for the Earth to shed its skin. Baring it all for us to see. How romantic is that? And through the whole process, we can experience the most beautiful weather filled with crisp air, refreshing winds, and just enough warmth from the sun. And although the trees will eventually let go of their leaves and flowers no longer bloom, the idea of harvest sets in. It’s time for a whole new world of color, flavor, and adventure.

I took this photo in our yard yesterday. Every now and then I take a walk to the very back and look around. From the cherry and pear trees to the overgrowth on the fence, there is just so much to love. The funny thing, we didn’t create any of it. All this beauty was here when we got here and has been part of the property for many years and I wouldn’t change a thing. Now we can experience history and the future in this little piece of heaven we call home.

I believe falling in love with people is not healthy because you should be uplifted when love is in your heart. But when it comes to the glorious Mother Nature, I fall in love more and more everyday. There is just something about the Earth that makes you want to fall into it and breathe it in. To climb a tree and be within its branches, to lay in the grass and feel it between your toes, to explore a woodsy trail and feel at peace when the forest consumes you….there is nothing in the world that can bring this much pleasure. And to experience this everyday in my own backyard, is the best gift of all.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Falling in Love

Inspiration Photo Friday: Garden Bliss

03 Friday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday, The Great Outdoors

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Tags

bloom, cherry trees, flowers, food, garden, garden goodies, growing, herbs, nature, plants, seeds, spring, summer, trees, vegetable gardens, white flowers

Now that spring is here, I can’t stop thinking of our vegetable gardens my husband and I plan to set up this year. Being able to grow what we eat is truly amazing to me. Having enough to share is even better.

I live right next to a nursery, which I love, and the other day I went over to take a look around at their selection so far. It was nice to be around all the garden goodies and flowers, especially since this kitchen renovation has been taking over my life lately. To take a break and be with nature for a little bit was seriously needed. It also helped me get in the mode of planning a few pretty areas around the house. To start I bought a few packs of flowers and planted them in pots for the backyard for some color. Already it brightened up the space.

Our cherry trees in the back are finally blooming, something I have been impatiently waiting for. They are so pretty with their little white flowers. We have three which came with the house and I love them. I like to go back there with the dogs and relax sometimes. It’s so nice to be able to do that on my own property.

This photo was taken a few years ago while my husband and I were visiting Connecticut. We passed a garden and I had to take pictures. I look at this and remind myself that our gardens will soon come. The beauty in all fresh food and herbs will shine brightly in my backyard and I will truly be one happy girl.

Basil - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Spring Sweetness – A Backyard Makeover

06 Wednesday Jun 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, The Great Outdoors

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Tags

backyard, cherry trees, colorful flowers, dusty miller, flowers, fruit, garden, gardening, gorgeous space, grass, greenery, hydrangeas, iris, leaves, nature, nice weather, patio, peonies, plants, rose bushes, roses, spring, summer, trees, vegetable garden, weeds, wildflower seed

Now that spring is here and summer is right around the corner, Dan and I have been working on our backyard so it looks beautiful for the warmer seasons. From our garden to the patio, we have transformed the space with the determination and love. When we moved in this past February the backyard was a great example of neglect. It was sad how people could let such a gorgeous space go to ruins. Then we came along and gave it life.

So here is a little preview of what it was like before. I know fall was coming to an end but there were leaves everywhere and dead bushes and plants all over. The fence they put up around the patio seemed silly and just blocked the beautiful view. The whole yard needed work for sure.

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Then slowly we did our magic and turned this backyard disaster into our heaven. Even though there is a little more to do, we are so happy with how it has turned out. Since the nice weather is here we were able to get more done and now that the wedding is over we can dedicate more time to making it perfect.

As soon as spring came around, the weeds came popping up! So the first step was to get everything pulled out and cleaned up. But it sure looked nice with actual greenery showing its face.

Spring Sweetness

The end of our yard is beautiful on its own. We love the overgrown greenery and pretty rose bushes and flowers that love blooming for us to see. It reminds me of the secret garden. This is where we plan to have our vegetable gardens next year. So excited! Our cherry trees are finally showing some fruit as well.

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

The next step was to pick out various flowers and plants that would thrive in our garden and bring life to the space. We chose hydrangeas, hollyhocks, tulips, peonies and other tiny colorful flowers. We already had roses and iris which was a nice bonus. For some green and other color we added some small bushes, my Grandmother’s hosta, dusty miller and low foliage around the edge.

In between everything I planted some wildflower seed bombs we had left over from the wedding in hopes they would help to fill in the space. Although it needs some time to all grow in, I think its a huge improvement! I wanted it to feel whimsy, pretty and romantic while also looking wild and free. This is why I chose a number of delicate bushes and flowers along with some that are lush and elegant.

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

The patio was our next project and we were excited to get it ready for summer. First, we took the fence down which was an improvement all by itself. Then we cleaned it up and painted the cement gray. As soon as we purchased our patio set (from West Elm) we worked our butts off to bring beauty to the space.

With the addition of some greenery and flowers, the patio now looks like a patio. We chose to surround the space with nature and border it off with a small cedar garden fence. We also through in some solar lights and created a small path into the yard with slate stones the previous owners left behind. The dirt area has been seeded so we are crossing our fingers grass shows its face soon. Add in a charcoal grill and we are good to go!

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

Spring Sweetness

I hope this project will inspire you all to get our there and make Mother Earth shine even brighter. Even if you have a small space to work with there are tons of things you can do to enhance the look and feel. I know as the days pass by it will look even better in our yard so I plan to post photos for all of you to see the progress. Happy Gardening!

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