I've really struggled with this for a while - we have had zero progress while I've mulled it over.
Over the years I have made the mistake too often of getting impatient and rushing to get something done - just to have something done. When it comes to the big decisions, the ones that your going to have to live with...I say, take the extra time. Although it does not really apply - I always think of my husband saying... " measure twice, cut once" - same idea though. If I rush to make a quick decision, ultimately, I will only make more work for myself.
The driveway needed to be addressed. Initially we waited, to make sure that the drainage was all working properly ( which it was not, so good thing we waited) - but now it is time. Between the crush & run gravel and the dirt from the baseball field across the street, I have a layer of silt coating everything in the house each tome someone opens the front door on a windy day.
So...
Idea #1
Skip Laurels across the front to block the baseball dust and most of the gravel dust. This picture shows them lined up, but...
oops! - didn't buy enough, so I had to go to Charlottesville to get more from the greenhouse to match. ( so much for the entire first paragraph! You knew that sounded a bit too preachy right? Of course I had made a mistake - and made my project harder - that's why I was giving myself that lecture !!)
The trouble is- as soon as I started putting the laurels in, it exaggerated the fact that the driveway was off center - which is fine...so am I , but it really does look like it should be centered. This led me down a different route - literally!
When we had designed the driveway originally the plan had called for cobblestone, but then we had waited because we did not want to spend the money- and now with the drainage issues and layout problems, I'm so glad that we did. After living with it for the better part of a year, we have a much better idea about how we use the driveway, how our guests park when they visit, etc.
( I know - I jump from I to we all of the time , but its necessary, and too time consuming t worry about)
You'd be surprised ( if you've never priced it) how much this adds to the price of a driveway. Once you know- you'll never look at cobble lined streets the same way again!Although she could not fit us in for a landscape plan until later this Summer, she was free to discuss the driveway- and at least make sure I did not go in the wrong direction.
This was huge - because I do not have the vision to see where the trees & plants will be- and they do play a part in the design.
She definitely thought that we should center the driveway, and create more parking options.
So - the project has begun, and so far the progress is pretty exciting!
Hopefully the walkway will be in by tomorrow - and I can add another update. It's nice to have some progress after such a long stretch!
Have a great day.
