Ideas on Landscaping with Gravel/Rocks as a Ground Cover.

Hi Friends, I thought I'd write an update on our landscape and sports court.  

The company we ordered the court from is running a MONTH behind (we ordered it in March!!) so it's been a bit frustrating but it "should" be here next week.  /-:

As much as I know a lot about interior design, I will honestly tell you landscape design is new to me!

The next step in our landscape is picking out the ground cover we want to use whether it be bark chips, rocks, pebbles, gravel, slate, shale or weeds ;-) .....OH the choices!  

Really, I just can't wait to get some landscape help dealing with all the WEEDS! :-) Landscape fabric will be plentiful under whatever choice of covering I use!

For our landscape, I'm thinking on some sort of slate chip - I believe in the industry this kind of landscape rock is called "Woodstone".  

As much as I LOVE the natural look of bark, it is something that needs to be replaced every few years as it deteriorates and fades.  I am all for doing it once, and not having to do it again.  :-)

Bark Chips

Shredded Bark Mulch

I'll post some other beautiful landscape ideas to stir your own Creative Juices :-)

This beautiful garden below used small pea size gravel.  That look reminds me of a beach feel.

Pictures from Better Home and Garden

Ah, I love this Mediterranean vignette!  Crushed granite is a VERY popular ground-cover used in Mediterranean style homes.

This pond has such a wonderful natural feel as the homeowners used a mixture of the flat slate along with the gravel.  BEAUTIFUL!

My landscape architect friend told me that for the best landscape design, it is nice to match your pavers (or brick) with your choice of rock ground-covering.  This garden terrace is LOVELY with the tan bricks and neutral earth-tone gravel.  For me personally, I would pick the tan colored gravel over the standard grey due to how warm and inviting that color feels.

Notice how the rocks in our fountain area match the pavers.

I love sitting outside listening to the sound of the fountain!  You can see how to install a fountain in your own home by clicking over to my fountain post.

I am REALLY HOPING that by my next post (or 2) I'll have the final sports court finished and ready to show you guys!  The big question is will I add an YouTube of me PLAYING pickleball!? :-)  I'll see if I can make a pickleball convert of you guys yet- hee,hee.

I'd love to hear what ground cover is your favorite - just leave me a comment!

Enjoy your week my friends!!

*EDIT:  You can go over to the Completed Pickleball Sports Court post to see it all complete, landscape and all :-)

Ideas on How to Use Stone Veneer on an Interior Wall.

I personally can't get enough of bringing natural outside elements into the inside of a home.  Clay, rocks, greenery, water.....you name it, if I can bring it inside and I have the budget, I will!

So today's post is some DECADENT eye candy regarding bringing stone (whether real or veneer) inside your house!  

At first you might think, oh, I could never do that, or isn't it super hard?  

Well actually no, it's not!  Lowes put on a super simple YouTube video showing an easy way to do a stone veneer interior wall, but really, just think about it.......it is the same principle as adding tile to a wall.....not hard at all and the OUTCOME?

Oh my, Gorgeoso!

Mediterranean Entry by Los Altos General Contractors RJ Dailey Construction Co.

It wouldn't need to be a huge area in your home, what about just doing ONE accent wall like the one below in your master bedroom?

Or how about something like this one small wall in the dining room?  It's such a neutral color scheme but the texture of the rock adds a whole new exciting element.

Ah, OK I'm starting to dream.....but isn't this so beautiful!

Traditional Kitchen by New York Architects & Designers Minion Gutierrez

As you can see by the picture below, bringing natural elements inside can make for such a peaceful surrounding.

This kitchen below.......

Reminds me of the Irish Lisheen castle kitchen my inlaws just visited!

ONE last dream picture......

C'mon folks, tell me if this was YOUR workout room you would be working out every day.....or maybe just sitting in the chair admiring you amazing stone walls - hee,hee!

                        Traditional Home Gym by Southlake Design-Build Firms Tatum Building Corp

Most photos came from Houzz.com

What do you guys think?

I know a lot of these pictures are more traditional but you can also add rock accents to a modern home and it looks amazing.....I love bringing in the old with the new.....make a space SO EXCITING!

Hope you got as inspired as I am!

The Rock Fireplace in all it’s Glory

This post will be short, sweet, and crazy.  Yes, I already spray painted a few rocks on my new rock fireplace and how did it turn out??? 

GREAT!!!!

You see, there was one rock that had this bright orange spots on it – really it did, the photo doesn’t do it justice!  Instead of freaking out I just grabbed my can of spray paint and fixed her right up

That spot was bright orange……NOT a good look if you ask me.

All Better!!

You may wonder if my husband knew about this spray painting party…..well he pretty much walked in on me doing it but thank goodness he trusts me so much.  He just looked at me and continued on with looking over the other areas of the house. 

Now the window covering guy was SHOCKED and thought I was putting graffiti on when he pulled in when he saw me doing the same thing to a few of the rocks on the outside of the house.  I could tell he thought he was dealing with a wacko…..yep, I kind of am!

The finished AFTER photo of the fireplace

When you are armed with spray paint and some creativity, nothing is what it seems!  Be inspired.

~ CreativeJuicesDecor~

See my "House Tour" button (or just click on highlight!) on the top right for more pictures!