While it may be changing, most people think of France when they think of vacation; particularly the beautiful landscape and scenery that is often associated with the Country (right behind the Eiffel Tower because, well because it’s the Eiffel Tower). For most of us, traveling across the Atlantic is not something we can afford to do very often… so why not bring that beauty to your own backyard for a fraction of the price?
Certain colors, materials, and textures are associated with different areas in the world. If you want a Mediterranean vibe, rattan and wicker furniture on the patio is the way to go. Now, it’s a complete coincidence (why don’t we have a sarcasm font yet?) that most stores fill their stock of rattan and wicker patio furniture in anticipation of summer sales (pool parties are probably the main reason people we-design their outdoor spaces). While you can choose any color cushions you want for this furniture, keep in mind that the color scheme will set the tone – and blue is the most calming color.
If you’re hell bent on getting that French vibe, you’re going to need flowers, lots of them, and you’re going to want them blooming overhead. To that end, you will need to get creative with where you plant, having a well thought out plan of attack well before you begin planting would be a good idea. Since we’re going for a particular vibe, bougainvillea is a flower that is typically associated with the Riviera; it’s also fairly easy to maintain. However, your “landscaping” is not finished with the bougainvillea; there are a lot of massive patches of beautiful flowers in France, it’s why the landscape has inspired artist for centuries. Get some terra cotta pots and fill them with vibrant plants; something that truly “pops.” Remember the cushions we mentioned above? Matching the color of the plants to the color of your cushions will really enhance the vibe.
At the end of the day, creating the perfect backyard is for your own personal benefit; the importance of loving where you live cannot be overstated. However, there are also significant benefits to investing in your backyard. At the outset, a backyard is a pretty big draw for families seeking to trade-up. A serene backyard that also has enough space for children to play is going to fetch a premium, and it’s quite likely that the premium will come down to a dollar for dollar match on that investment (within reason). At the Chernov Team, we understand that knowledge is power, particularly when it comes to sprucing up your home and making it more valuable. At the Chernov Team, we understand that whoever comes to the table most prepared leaves with the most, and the Chernov Team always leaves the table with the most.
