Front Porch Refresh, New Paint, Plants & Stucco ~ birdhouse garden

Hi Everyone! How's your summer been? We're in for a stretch of hot temp's this next week. Although our garden is growing, I am constantly thinking about how the exterior of our house is a bit of an ugly duckling. It's been a slow process finding the right color and of course tackling the stucco. The front porch will be the first area that will look better. I'm not sure how long this will take us. Soon our home will look like a little cottage surrounded with flowers, perennials, and trees.

[@susanc31562]

The whole front porch area is like its own outdoor room, even with a window! It looks great! Like that soft yellow too.

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you so much. We’ve not been able to figure out what that window-ish opening is for. Over the years, many birds build their nest there in the planter box. 😊

[@Goop-xX]

I love the colors. Will be beautiful on your home, so welcoming. The front porch looks fantastic❤

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you so much 😊

[@donnaonley-harden3629]

DeAnn, The walls look good, it looks as if it is, a purposefully textured process. You will probably say, why didn’t we do this ourselves years ago.😊

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you Donna😊 I think you’re absolutely correct. 🤦‍♀️🤣 I just keep saying… one wall at a time.

[@stelladollies]

That's a beautiful pale yellow. It can be a difficult color to get right and I'm happy for you that you found the shed color sample. Well done! The lamium and impatiens are lovely accent plants for your topiaries. Smiles, Stella

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you Stella.😊 Paint can be funny like that. It looks one way on the sample card and different when you put it on the wall.😃 This has been a long time coming. I’m so happy that he found the color. 💛

[@lianeabeyta4515]

I am a huge fan of ivy topiary trees. I too have had mine for more than 15 years. They look good in every season . I have them in elevated urns so they look extra tall. 108 to 119.... help me! IN the Bay Area we will be in the 90s all week. Hot but doable. Eleven dollars for a wreath is incredible! And yours look so pretty. I loved the big wooden chair!

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you.😊 Hobby Lobby for the win regarding the wreath. My mom used to live in the East Bay. Hot during the day - and cools off a bit for the evening. I’m already looking forward to Autumn.🍂

[@RachelLight]

I always wondered why your outside looked like that. Now I know. It would have to go if it were mine too. But everything else is always so beautiful so you don't pay that much attention to it. You are a joy to watch.

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you.😊 For me, it’s the elephant in the garden.🤦‍♀️🥴 Hopefully, we’ve turned a corner with this small start. One wall at a time.😂 Thank you again Rachel.🌸

[@wendelinasbury]

My goodness! What a lot of effort the two of you have put in and it shows! Your entryway is very warm and welcoming. I love what you have done. Stay cool the next week! I guess I can’t complain about our projected 104° on Saturday, but this is uncharacteristically early for us to be seeing such high temps. 🥵

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you.😊 I’m not ready for this heat either.🥴🔥 Fall and winter are now my favorite seasons.😃 I do love early spring as well.🌸🌿

[@AngeMaje]

I love it! It is starting to look like a magazine cover!

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you so much for your kind comment.😊

[@juliehassen5099]

Thank you for sharing, can't wait to see your new front patio. We are just down the road from Fresno so thank you for sharing your knowledge in the garden since we share the same heat I am learning a lot from your channel.

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you.😊 This week is going to be a warm one.🔥☀️

[@rgirola1]

Hello!!!! Your front porch…heck…your whole yard looks just beautiful!!!! You have given me such inspiration for my front door area!!!!! My door area, like yours, is very shaded and I have tried so many things but when I saw your topiary ivy….thunderbolt!!!!! YES!!! I am going to do that!!! I love your idea of changing out the lights as part of seasonal decorations. Thank you for this idea!!!! Try and stay cool!!!! I am up the highway from you in Fair Oaks and I am not looking forward to this heatwave!!!!

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you so much, and hello Fair Oaks.😃 I love topiary. I have a few small ones inside our home. Those ivy in our front entry have performed well over the years. So glad you found some inspiration!😊💫🌿

[@Cynthia-zz1vi]

What a difference I understand how excited you are that the grinding he is doing makes such a great difference, entry way looks great 😊I’m just 45 minutes south of you and I’m over these heat already 😂 just about 12 weeks till fall😮

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you.😊 I’m excited for the the eventual change. Yes, this heat is 🔥! So glad I’m not the only one thinking about Fall.🍁

[@jennetteojeda5792]

💖🌸👍🏻🌸💖

[@linakhoury6623]

Hi DeAnn🌺. The front porch looks amazing and you arranged it beautifully and these two wreaths on the door are charming . Have a great week .🌺🌻🌺

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you Lina.😊 Have a wonderful week.☀️🌸🌿

[@jillbruce3624]

I love it. First time here and I have subscribed. Looking forward to watching your progress.

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you and welcome!😊

[@kimmicannon5629]

I really, really like your porch. So whimsical and serene. Stay cool and happy gardening. I’m waiting til autumn to paint my fence. Paint and hot, humid temps don’t mix here in Zone 9B in Houston.

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you so much.😊 Oh my goodness…. hot, humidity and paint do not work well. Happy 4th!

[@MrsKaspergirl]

I love your videos and I absolutely love the rocks. I would love to do that at my house.

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you so much.😊 Those rocks were my husband’s idea. We used to buy them by the bucket.

[@MrsKaspergirl]

@@birdhousegarden I'm going to try to add those. I really liked the idea. You have a beautiful garden.and you are so humble ❤

[@KelNash]

I love the swirl marks. Im sure it will look lovely later on too though.

[@birdhousegarden]

Oh my goodness. You’re too kind. I keep telling myself… one wall at a time.😃

[@FreeRangeDiva]

You've given me a great idea for topiarys for my front door. I've priced the faux ones and they are soooo expensive that I decided it would be better to try real ones. Yes, I see your vision and your porch is already looking warm and inviting. Gosh, I can't believe those temps! It gets that hot out in the surrounding desert (I'm in L.A.), but I had no idea it got that hot in the central valley.

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you.😊 I love a good faux topiary. You’re right, they can be expensive. These temperatures are difficult!😩🤣 and it’s only July?!

[@susymurillo5758]

Hi! Your house color is perfect. I live in Riverside county and also purchased those topiary to. I did the exact same thing I grew ivy also in pots all 3. Love your door wreaths color is so beautiful

[@birdhousegarden]

Hello😊👋 I grew up in Highland and took flute lessons in Redlands. I attended Serrano Jr. H.S., right behind Patton State Hospital. The wreaths are from Hobby Lobby. 💛

[@abiering]

I always wondered about the stucco. Are there other homes with this type? I don’t think I’ve ever seen it before. It looks so good painted. Your topiaries are beautiful and perfect. I thought they were faux at first. Stay cool if possible.

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you.😊 The stucco has always been embarrassing for me.🤦‍♀️ From what we’ve been told…. the developer that built this neighborhood lived in our home/model. Perhaps he liked it so much that he did the scallops extra heavy. Each model has a different exterior. There are a few that have the scallops, just not as visible as ours. We’ve spent years pursuing stucco companies in the hope that they would be willing to tackle it. The 70’s have many things to be proud of… just not cottage cheese ceilings and this stucco.🤣

[@kauaisheepdawg1614]

Enjoyed your cozy patio, feels like a great area to rest and unwind. Brilliant choice on flower arrangements . Also any thoughts painting your patio floor? have great summer,,

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you.😊 I’ve not considered that before. It does sound interesting and creative. I just watched a video this weekend where they painted their front porch and it looks beautiful. Thank you for the suggestion.

[@estelleadamski308]

Are you in CA? It does seem strange that the stucco was done that way in the 70's. I've never seen that look at all. I was raised in Fresno and I have never seen stucco in that pattern done like that there. I guess I was wrong! LOL! We have since moved out of CA to 80 acres in WI. The last 8 yrs we did live in Clovis near Buchannan Hi School. We are thrilled to be out of CA. My house now is a 90 yr. old farmhouse and I have 9 lg. flower gardens. It's a lot of work., but, gives great curb appeal. But no one drives by much. But no matter. I like it.

[@birdhousegarden]

Your garden sounds beautiful. Yes, we are in California. Our boys went to Buchanan. The homes surrounding that area are beautiful. I even patterned our walkway after a Pinnacle home across from the HS. My husband is retiring soon and when our youngest graduates from Fresno State we hope to move as well. Thank you so much for watching. 😊☀️🌸

[@estelleadamski308]

@@birdhousegarden My son was in the 1st graduating class in 1995 from Buchanan. When my husband retired from teaching we moved out of state. We live in Amish country here. We have Amish friends. I hate the snow, but, love living in the country. My husband graduated from Fresno State.

[@sherribrink5664]

Loving your videos❤. You grow such beautiful hydrangeas, I wondered if I could ask a couple questions. I have my first hydrangea in a pot. It's just starting to bud. My first question is: Does it take forever for the buds to bud out? They're taking their sweet time. The other question: Can I plant that hydrangea in the ground now while it's budding. It's an "Endless Summer-Summer Crush". Will it do good is full shade? Thank you so much.

[@birdhousegarden]

Thank you so much.😊 Yes, it does take awhile for them buds to completely open. I would hold off transplanting until it goes dormant. Depending on your zone, early spring is recommended. For me, because I live where it gets hot quickly, I would transplant in the fall. However if your summers are mild, transplant in early spring. If you can find a place with morning sun and afternoon shade that would be ideal. Great questions!🌸

[@sherribrink5664]

@birdhousegarden Thanks you for your reply.