{ FRONT YARD: HARDSCAPE DESIGN }

…we’ve always loved Turfblock... yes, they are messy, high maintenance, and spotty (as in grass grows inexplicably in some “holes” and not others). nevertheless, for two years, every time we spoke about redoing the driveway, we spoke about Turfblock. however, when the time actually came, doubt started setting in. we were not sure we could deal with the maintenance and inconsistency. knowing we wanted a permeable option, my dear friend Jose—who I met my first day of architecture school, now many moons ago—owner of BrickPaver Group, suggested we use Rima pavers. Rima is an interlocking paver system that offers two installation options; “nub to block” which creates a seamless surface still allowing for percolation or “nub to nub” for a larger gap and increased permeability.

 

Photos courtesy of: www.sislersstone.com and www.tremron.com

 

the Turfblock allows for sod growth, increasing the green area of the yard; while the Rima offers lower maintenance and cleaner lines. we loved the aesthetics and functionality of both systems, so it was not an easy decision…

 

 

thankfully, making a decision on the walkway, was easier. we narrowed it down to two options [also illustrated above]; 24” x 24” precast concrete pavers or larger 24” x 48” poured-in-place “pavers.”

if you can’t wait till the next post to find out what we decided, follow us on Instagram! @ourreddoor

{ HAPPY ONE YEAR }

… one year ago today we signed endless papers; turned a key; celebrated with friends and family; toasted with tequila; danced in an empty living room to the music in our heads; filled an air mattress; and started the journey to making this house our home.

…since then, we’ve been hard at work crossing items off our to-do list:

Prune out-of-control landscape

Replace the roof

Repair the fascia and eaves

Replace the water heater

Underground electrical service entrance

Upgrade electrical panel

Replace electrical outlets

Replace exterior light fixtures

Replace bedroom ceiling fans

Install new air conditioning system

Repair damaged drywall in ceiling and walls

Replace window sills

Replace broken window

Install hurricane proof garage door

Install impact resistant patio door

Replace kitchen and rear garage door

Redo linen closet
Paint interior

Paint exterior and

Painted our door red

…today we put a candle on a yummy Publix cheesecake, sang Happy Birthday (seemed like the most appropriate song), and looked forward to the years to come.

{ CHRISTMAS '11 }

…although its been three months, it was our first Christmas at the house and one we’ll always remember.

…we made a wreath and it had a nose and ears.

…Sketch loved the Christmas Tree, he might have considered marking his territory, but instead, he laid in front of it everyday.

…we enjoyed looking for and finding beautiful ornaments that we’d cherish for years to come. we also loved making some of our own.

…and Sketch enjoyed his Christmas gifts.

{ HALLOWEEN '11 }

…our second year carving pumpkins! we got a little more daring this year and got bigger ones. luckily, Miami Shores Presbyterian Church had a great selection. Sketch came along to help us pick them out. I think they turned out quite well.

…Miami Shores is a great place to Trick-or-Treat. we plan on venturing out next year; but this year we really enjoyed everyone coming by, including our friends the Zaneys!

…we also made our first yarn wreath! what do you think?

{ AND THIS IS HOW I TURNED RED }

…five months ago our door finally turned red and this was how it happened…

  …changing the peephole and hardware…

…wish we could show you our house numbers, but we are still paranoid about that. you’ll have to come visit and see for yourself.

{ THERE ARE DOORS, AND THEN, THERE ARE DOORS }

…the east elevation of the Baptistery in Florence is adorned by grand bronze doors.  twenty-seven years-in-the-making, the doors consist of ten panels sculpted in great detail to brilliantly depict scenes from the Old Testament.  they have withstood the test of time, natural catastrophes, vandalism, and war.  they are a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance, which Michelangelo dubbed the “gates of paradise”… 

…six thousand, two-hundred, and fifty-five miles from there, in a non-descript street of the Tacubaya neighborhood in Mexico City there is large wooden door which conceals an architectural masterpiece.  mounted on an off-set pivot, the door opens to reveal a unique arrangement of spaces, colors, and light, designed to evoke an explosion of the senses and simultaneously poetic serenity and reverence…

…and not far from here, there is a door made of a single coral block weighing nine tons.  at 80 inches wide, 92 inches tall, and 21 inches thick, the door’s balance is so perfect, it pivots with the light touch of a finger.  designed and constructed single-handedly by a man in love, the door is a marvel of modern engineering…

…our door is not like those doors.  it’s not biblical, magical, or mysterious.  It’s not even red [not yet].  our door is better than those doors; simply because it’s ours.  it will safeguard our hopes and dreams, hide our fears, hear us laugh and cry, and witness unforgettable moments.  because of this, it is the true protagonist of this blog.  welcome to our [soon to be] red door...