Before wrapping up the restoration of Christie's Savannah, Georgia, yard and porch, a few finishing touches are needed: updated concrete planters, new lighting fixtures and a liberal application of pine-straw mulch to the new plantings.
First the existing concrete planters are updated with a faux finish. A crackle medium is thoroughly stirred to mix all the chemicals together and applied as a base coat to the planters. Next comes a layer of quartzite, applied randomly; the two products used together will crack and give the appearance of age. Color is next added to enhance the patina, then dabbed with cheesecloth to soften the look. Stopping by to help with the planters is Christie's friend and employer, the renowned chef Paula Deen (figure A).New lighting fixtures are placed flanking the sides of the refurbished door (figure B). If you do this step yourself, you should always turn off the main breaker before starting work, and if you have any concerns, you should contact a licensed electrician to complete the lighting installation.
As a final touch, the new beds are mulched with pine straw, the preferred mulching medium along the Southeastern shore. With the work finished, the old dark, dank landscape has been replaced with a fresh, sunny look (figure C) (figure D). The new walkway can't be damaged by tree roots and can be moved to accommodate new root growth. The old shrubs have been replaced with lower-growing plants that now highlight the house. And the porch is now a welcoming beacon, enticing family and friends to relax in a porch rocking chair and enjoy the new view.
RESOURCES :
Black and Decker tools
Website: www.blackanddecker.com
Black & Decker, Inc. (Corporate)
Website: www.bdk.com/main_bd.htm
Porter-Cable Tools
Porter-Cable Corporation
Website: www.deltaportercable.com
Irwin Industrial Tool Company
Website: www.irwin.com
Ames True Temper Tools
Ames-True Temper
Website: www.ames-truetemper.com
American Society of Landscape Architects
Delta Tools
Deltak Power Tools
Website: www.deltamachinery.com
Plants provided by Skinner Nurseries Inc.
Skinner Nurseries Inc.
Website: www.skinnernurseries.com
Walkway materials provided by Pavestone
Pavestone
Website: www.pavestone.com
Faux concrete kit
(1 quart pro quartzite; 1 quart crackle; 3 quarts brown, green and black pro faux paint)
Artistic Living Studio
Website: www.artisticlivingstudio.com
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