Week 2 of the One Room Challenge // here // hosted by Linda of Calling it Home is here! I hope you’ll take the time to check-in with the official participants // here // and then circle back tomorrow to see what everyone on the link-up is about // here //. I mentioned in my week 1 intro // here // that I would be working on essentially one space a week until the reveal, and only do a partial reveal each-week. So that’s what this week is! We’re talking about the front door and step.
If you’re joining me from the link-up – Welcome! My name is Ariel and I create bold, bright, colourful & eclectic spaces and DIY. You can read more about me // here // and visit my project gallery // here //.
I’m going to start this week’s post with a disclaimer – The pics from this week aren’t as dramatic as they could be, but that’s for good reason! I’m saving the best for the reveal on week 6.
*HomeSense sponsored this post, but all thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make PMQ for two possible.
Catch-up on the journey for the Spring 2017 One Room Challenge – The Great Outdoors
// Week 2 //
Week 6
If you’re new to the blog you won’t have the foggiest clue what the front of our Q looks like – so here it is. // Those of you who were with me last year will remember it from this post here // Poop brown siding, a generic house number (modified here for privacy), builder-grade everything, and door that I can’t paint. It’s rough out here guys! Rough!
How are you supposed to tell my Q apart from the others on our street?! You’re not. That’s the whole point. Unless of course you’re looking for Bruce – who will likely see you and alert me to that fact – so really it’s a crapshoot. *poop brown siding pun intended*
I’m working with HomeSense as my main sponsor throughout the One Room Challenge, so I’ve spent the past week or two shopping my local store for the best planters and ornaments. Their selection has been phenomenal this year, and I am so glad to be able to pick from such lovely pieces. They had a full range of options for blue, yellow, green, pink, red, white, silver and brass – and that’s only in my little store! I was looking for particular tones, and wanted there to be cohesion between the front and back steps, so I bought a lot of things in pairs to facilitate that. I think the total for my beautiful front porch planters was $80 – not bad considering our local nursery charges about 50$ for a medium sized one. While you’re in store, make sure you tag me in any photos or stories about your spring shopping adventures!
Although I had slightly different colours on my mood board for the space, the Homesense selection in-store, and my flower + plant pairings took me in this direction! It’s a fun and eclectic colour palette that stands-out against the brown siding.
I’m waiting on my mailbox and house numbers to arrive! I think you guys will dig my choice of mailbox and how we’ll change the numbers, as they’ll contribute a lot stylistically to the curb appeal without wreaking havoc with the items I’m not allowed to change.
Because of the magic that is HomeSense, you never really know what you’ll find once you’re in-store, so I’ve written-up my tips for shopping for planters & pottery at your local store.
Tips
- Buy planters in pairs, but in different sizes. It will avoid the matchy-matchy look of having the same planter out front and out back.
- Decide your palette beforehand and stick to it. Of course, allow for some variation because the stock isn’t set, but if you go with certain colours in mind it will make shopping that much easier.
- Look for pieces that have built-in drainage, otherwise be prepared to buy leca pellets to ensure proper drainage.
- Don’t forget you can leave your purchase in store for up to 7 days. I bought things and left them there for the week, then when I went back to pick them up, I was able to make substitutions based on the new stock in store (there’s a truck full of goods every day) and return pieces without having to bring everything home and then back to the store.
- Consider pieces that are sturdy enough to withstand the summer outside. HomeSense sells some beautiful glass and finer clay pots, but those are for indoors. If you purchase them for outdoor use, be prepared to bring them in during severe temperature swings.
So once I had my selection home, I headed off to the local nursery to start planning my plants and flowers.
I knew I only wanted a few flowers out front since we won’t ever really get to enjoy them beyond when we’re walking up to the house from the driveway. I’m opting to put more flowers out back since we’ll be able to enjoy those while sitting under the pergola or in our outdoor lounge. I also know that our front step is shaded half the day, so I should pick plants and flowers accordingly (most flowers prefer larger amounts of sunshine to thrive).
- The pansies I chose will require full sun, so I’m positioning them on the part of our step that gets the most sun. They also look really smart in the long green planters I bought at HomeSense.
- The Ranuculous flowers (orange blooms) also require full sun, but will do just fine on our porch (according to our local nursery).
- English Ivy is notorious for loving shade, so setting this guy back a bit against the house, in the tall hair pin planter will not only allow it to thrive, but the height will allow the Ivy to grow in length comfortably.
- My variety of Croton is good in medium light (i.e a shaded porch half the day), so it’s a perfect choice for the front step.
- The fern I chose will also handle shade nicely, and by opting for a smaller one I’m less likely to spend all summer cleaning-up after it.
- The heather is a hardy plant and will survive the summer no problem. I have it a big pot since I want it develop a large root system in the hopes of transplanting it later.
The following product links contain affiliate links. Thank you for supporting the brands that make PMQ for two possible. For my full policies click // here //
Like I mentioned above, if you don’t chose planters with drainage, you’ll have to add leca pellets to insure the roots don’t sit in water. This is an easy fix as any nursery can sell you a large bag, or you can order them on Amazon // here
Your choice of dirt will also have a huge impact on the quality of your blooms and the life of your plants. I opted for some higher-end stuff, because when you’re dropping dollar dollar bills on flowers and plants, you want them to last the summer!
I also customized a doormat from The Home Depot because our old one was losing more bristles than was helpful. I used Krylon spraypaint and painters tape to create the outline and got to work. Easiest project this whole ORC!
I think from what you can see, the space will be welcoming, colourful and shine through the summer. Don’t worry though, I’m saving the bulk of my pizzaz for the next few weeks. Wait till you see what the back step is going to look like! Don’t forget to circle back on the last week to see all the spaces realized to their fullest potential with all the finishing touches.
Who doesn’t love a stylish shoe game selfie?! These babies are going to be my heels for the Spring Ball at the school here, so I’m breaking them in with small trips around town.
Who’s with me when I say that the brown siding is just awful?! Last year when we were house-hunting we could have chosen a different Q with different siding, but the we would have had a terrible interior. I like to think we made the right choice and that poop brown is temporary. But it’s not. It’s with us till we move!
I think the colours are well balanced in this area: not only with the planters, but with the greenery and blooms I chose. I’m also picking-up on the colours in the croton and the croton’s planter! Hooray!
I’m not your typical lawn ornament gal, so a good luck dragon and bright blue jack are good enough for me out front. I think I’ll get a bit more playful with the ornaments out back though. Tune-in for that!
I particularly love how the cobalt blue planter and heather complement each other. Whod’a thought eh?! And can we talk about the ranunculus?! Those blooms are stunning. I can’t wait to see them evolve over the summer. I would have snagged some in pink
What’s left to do in this space before the reveal on week 6?
- Change the mailbox for something colourful & funky.
- Change the house number!
- Sort-out some more plants for the area.
- Wash the door and kick plate.
- Mulch the bushes on either side of the step and try to coax some life into them!
i am in love with the geometric planter and bruce!!
me too! There’s actually a sister planter that will be going out back. Bruce is having ALL the fun with the plants and flowers. I catch hm taking a deep and gentle sniff of the flower blooms every now and then.
Looking so good!
You know it!
Oh! everything you chose is so darling!! I love the Foo dog…and the geometric planter… and the ranunculus! Also bruce!! What a cutie 🙂
Thanks friend <3 that foo dog normally lives on my bookshelves, but it looks perfect with the planters. Do you think I can get away with using a foo dog instead of an elephant?
Loving the planters and that floor mat (great diy)! You also shared some nice tips. Never thought about just leaving merchandise in store for a week before picking them up. I do change my mind easily. Lol.
Yea! People are always amazed when I recommend taking full advantage of the store purchase policies. With stock changing daily there’s no point hauling everything home only to bring it back again.
Thank you for the kind words! I’m already thinking about fun door mat DIYs for later in the summer
Such pretty plants! I’ve never heard of those pellets. I’ll have to get some. Loving this project!
You should! They’re really upping my indoor plant game so far. I’m sure they’ll do the same for my outdoor plant game
Your house is gonna be the prettiest house on the block! Thise planters are are really pretty!!!!
Damn straight! I am so so so excited for the warmer weather when I can watch everything come to life around me. The green grass, the flower blooms, the leaves on the trees! It’s going to be lovely
Those planters are amazing! I like that they go well together but aren’t too matchy. I’ve never heard of those pellets I’ll have to check them out!
Thank you 🙂
Yea! They’re great for indoor plants and are use in hydroponics. I’m loving the fact that they also do a good job of filling huge pots!
You are on it girl! Great post!! Where can I find that geometric planter?
Thank you Lauren! You betcha, I am 100% on this!
The poop brown siding isn’t thaaaat bad. There are worse around!
I am exited for you and can’t wait to see what you end up with. You will definitely be a good example for everyone else living in the PmQs.
Guuuurl, the poop emoji is the shame shade as my PMQ! ahahah But thank you, I’m excited to have you over for a drink after your work once it’s all settled.
I will take you up on that drink! Cant wait!! ????????????
cheers girl!
Looking gorgeous! and your sandals are perfect. bring on the sandal weather please!!!
Aren’t those just the best?! I have a weakness for shoes, and strappy sandals have always just been more inappropriate than anything, but of late I’m indulging in some nice things that are impractical, because why not!?
I can’t wait to pose for some summer headshots amidst my beautifully appointed garden.
I LOVE those planters! it’s looking so great already, I can’t wait to see the rest of your spaces!
Aren’t they just funky?! I think I’m striking a fun balance between eclectic and classic styles. Classic is classic for a reason, but the more colourful eclectic ones always bring a smile to my face.
I love the colors in the planters you chose, and flowers of any kind just make me happy! Looking great so far!
Glad to hear it! I love having flowers out during the summer, but in previous years we’ve been on the move or haven’t had the budget for nice ones. This summer is going to look beautiful – I can already tell!
Oh, the plant lady in me loved seeing all your pots and plants! Looking really good. I love your vibrant color palette.
i love your vibrant color palette. the plant lady in me enjoyed seeing your pot selection and flowers come to life.
Thank you so much Leslie!
Awe, Bruce is the cutest! Love all your choices here!
He sure is! Thanks friend <3
Our nursery doesn’t have any plants yet 🙁 We are too far north! LOVE what you’re doing here! LOVE that little dragon and the colourful pot… may have to go snag one for myself! lol.
Oh no! Ours has a wonderful year-round selection, but so far they don’t have any Canadian hearty plants out, just the ones you gotta keep inside until it’s like 20c.
Get you some colourful dragons girl!
Loving all of your colors!! I can’t wait to see the final result!
Thanks girl! <3
RIGht off the bat I have to say I love your pant/shoe combo! The planters look great and the pretty bright flowers really complement them well.
Thanks girl! I’m going bold for spring in so many respects!
I’m glad the planters are making such a splash. Hopefully you like the next few weeks as much too!
I must first say that I love how Bruce made an appearance in the before photo! (Lol) and the colors, girl they are soooo good- isn’t it amazing how potted plants can immediately inject life personality into a space!
He’s everywhere! Like a dirty sock! I love him though <3
Potted plants are such a game changer. I can't believe I don't have more of them around the house. They bring such colour and texture and are easily moved.
I am loving this and I am hanging on your every word!!! I SUCK at outside projects..My plants see me coming and kill themselves to spare the pain…I hope to hearn something from your makeover and I love what I have seen so far!!!
oh no! That sounds super dramatic of your plants, they should take a chill pill! ahaha
Well I’m glad I’ve got your attention – spring i.e create curb appeal season, is in full force so I’d say this is the best time to look into a green thumb.
The pellets are such a great idea! Shopping for plants can be so overwhelming but i’m excited to see yours all come together!
Right?! I’ve been replanting everything to add pellets and give my plants some fresh soil. Everyone is happier for it!
I am also very excited to see it come together. I think we’ve got something good on the go here.
That geometric planter and that tall one… I want both of those!
Those are my favourites!
Love all the pots Ariel! Man I need to set up my curb appeal game. I’ve been neglecting our little front stoop since…moving in. Lol.
ahaha well in our case that was only last summer. We arrived too late to plant anything, and I said I’d tackle it all this year – which I am!
The planters you picked are gorgeous. I love this colorful palette! Never heard of leca — how heavy are they? i’ve always used lava rocks for drainage (it is lightweight)
Thank you! They’re actually almost hollow – I think. They’re not heavy at all, and I believe their purpose is to help create drainage while providing something for roots to grab ahold of. Check ’em out!
Love it – and love those shoes! My front porch needs some love…maybe next month lol!
No matter how busy life gets, there’s always time for shoes!
Those planters!!! I’m swooning!!! xo
Right?! I love shopping for planters now.