Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Disguising the UGLY!

Do you have a spot at your house that you dislike, but there isn't much you can do about it?


For me, the spot is BUB -  the Big Ugly Box - between our house and our garage.


In the 60s, the city closed off all the sidewalks leading to the beach;  alleys became the streets and back doors became the entrance to the house - I wrote about the changes in our house here.


Steve and I weren't thrilled with this as the entrance into our house and wanted to create a real entry way, but the city and Coastal Commission would not allow us to put the water heater and washer/dryer in the garage.


 BUB was the solution and you can see the difference in our entry way without appliances.


The other day, I decided to embrace BUB and "dress up" the area.


In a cropped photo of the garage, BUB doesn't look so bad decorated with my new "keep it simple" sign.


In this photo, BUB looks like it is part of the garage.


I have a narrow space to create a front yard out of a back yard.


A little banner I found at Target spices up the side fence and sand dollars from our beach walks found a new home.


An old baker's rack helps to hide some piping along the house.


The baker's rack placed between the windows of my creative space holds favorite beach buckets and more sand dollars.


I would love to have a basket of flowers hanging from this beach cruiser someone left in our driveway,


but the basket of flowers sits by the door because


Steve would not be happy if he had to remove a basket of flowers every time he headed out on his cruiser to the grocery store or to check the surf.


I kept it simple, BUB doesn't look quite so ugly and I have a front yard I actually like.

..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..

I am joining these fun parties

Southern Savvy Style - Wow Us Wednesdays

Ivy and Elephants - What's It Wednesday

Lavender Garden Cottage - Cottage Style Party

Green Willow Pond - What We Accomplished Wednesday

Glitter Glue & Paint - Project Pin It

65 comments:

  1. Such a fun front yard. BUB has been incorporated quite nicely. I love all of your decor Carol, you are a true artist!

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  2. You did a good job making it all look like part of the house. It would be hard to switch front to back..I just love your home.

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  3. It all looks great and you did a nice job disguising BUB. We all have something like that but to have your entire front and back switched is a challenge! You did great! With that dutch door nobody would notice a naked man if he was standing there...well, one of us from Texas wouldn't notice...we don't have dutch doors. :)

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  4. I don't even notice that it's there. I love your little cottage. The color of everything continues to awe me.

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  5. Carol, when you can not remove BUB you glamorize. I love that about you, always creative and always changing things. Hey what's with the sweet black cat in the dryer???

    You amaze me with your ambition and energetic spirit, a visit to your cottage blog in the land of Art and Sand delights me everytime.

    XO,
    Vera

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  6. That would be a trick to change things around like you did, but you and your husband are artist ...with good imaginations. I think every thing looks great. xoxo,Susie

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  7. -grin- i've read both posts, and i'm still a little confused. which is not unusual. ,-)

    but, just glad that you have come to embrace your bub!!!

    tessa~

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  8. The BUB disguise worked great! It totally transformed it! Great job! Interesting how the back of your house became the front. You guys did a great job making it work. That was perfect that the laundry room was right by the back/now-front door to change into an entry.

    I realized that this is the perfect time of year for you to shop for red, white and blue stuff. It's everywhere right now! :-) Have fun!

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  9. Once again ~ brilliant! It looks like it was meant to be ~

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  10. Now who would it bother if you had a water heater and washer/dryer in the garage? I think there is a need for rules about inconsideration in neighborhoods but to govern what happens in your home is odd. I think the sign is a clever solution for bub.

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  11. I hate rules, especially ones that are idiotic. We are facing that here at the Charmer. I like the sign you put up, your eye goes to it and really doesn't see BUB. Good job

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  12. Okay, after reading this and the post referenced, I think I've got it all straightened out. Your cottage is perfect, and now the BUB is the PLT (pretty little thing). Do tell, is it actually a breaker box or vent from the original appliances, or what? And how did you hang the sign so that it stays?

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  13. You did a super job, Carol! I would never know that BUB existed just by looking at the photos.

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  14. I agree with the other ladies who said you can't even tell BUB is there anymore! I think it fades right into the background. I'd love to do something creative to hide the gas meter on the side of my house.

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  15. You did great on hiding BUB...you can't even tell that it is there.
    hugs,
    Cindy

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  16. Great disguise for BUB! I wouldn't have even noticed it was separate from the house if you hadn't mentioned it. Much better spot than in the entry. Your entry is so charming...I love it! It's one of my favorite parts of your home! Hope your week is going well. Mine is busy...but just a few more days. I think I can...I think I can! LOL

    Blessings, Vicky

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  17. What is that saying: accept what you cannot change? Well, you took it one step further. I like that!
    Brenda

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  18. A brilliant Idea, and I love the way you colour your goodies!

    Sigrun

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  19. Well, you and Steve certainly made things workable and very attractive. Your colorful cottage and garden always delight.

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  21. You nailed it! Embracing these areas can lead to the most fantastic discoveries! Just look at this beautiful space now! A cozy garden room with an awesome sign that just all goes together in one cohesive design! I love it!!! I think I need to apply this to areas in my house too! Happy Thursday to you friend! Nicole xoxo

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  22. With so many lovely items in the yard it does not draw attention to your box. I think you mailed it with all the color you have there.
    What is that in the dryer? Looks like a puppy, is it Lulu?
    Good job Carol.
    Mary

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  23. It seems that no matter where we live there are regulations to follow and we must make the best of it. You have done just that and created a very cozy, beachy place to hang out and enjoy! Love your spaces! Blessings, Cindy

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  24. Carol,
    It looks great you did a great job disguising BUB! Always love seeing your beautiful beach home and yard. Have a great rest of the week.
    Kris

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  25. I think it looks really good, Carol. You would never know that it was a sore spot for you. You have done a great job disguising any "bad part". I think we all have an odd area that we just don't like somewhere on our property- xo Diana

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  26. I hardly notice BUB - you've done a great job of distracting the eye. Your place looks simply cosy and colourful with nothing at all to jar.

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  27. You have done a great job, looks very pretty now.

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  28. I need you to come and pretty up my space! BUB looks great!

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  29. Great job!
    Thanks for stopping by :)
    Have a Lovely Day!

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  30. How is it that I am so late HERE!

    Only you would take the time to study the area and figure out something until you achieved your desired result. BRAVO, Carol. You did it. It is as charming as can be and looks like a little Greek cottage. LOVE YOUR WAY!

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  31. I think the area is pretty darn cute, you have it all fixed up so pretty:)

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  32. you might even say that BUB is kind of cute now. i love the nickname. too funny!! i am glad you are more happy now. glad it was an easy fix. ( :

    you know i am always a fan of your color scheme. so vibrant, fun & playful. perfect in my book.

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  33. Hi Carol, what a great makeover. Your BUB is so inviting now and you would never know it was a trouble spot for you. I think everything you create is magazine worthy and this is no exception.
    Love your flagstone area. We just finished ours and will post about that soon. We did a lot of work, but it's so much better.
    Love your darling sign and the bike someone left is a treat!
    Have a great weekend.
    Hugs

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  34. You did a fantastic job camouflaging the areas (BUB) that you don't like! Your 'yard' looks so colorful and pretty! :)
    Susan

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  35. We live in a similar community. The entire neighborhood was settled in the 1920's as a summer retreat. It has gone through many changes over the last 90 years!Roads moved, houses turned around, property split up...but all roads lead to the beach, so I guess it's all worth it! Your place is super charming, BUB or not! :)

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  36. It looks great. You always make such a great job of everything you do ...

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  37. Looks great! My big ugly thing was the huge breaker box in the utility room. It had to be accessible, but was ugly to look at. I finally figured out how to disguise it.

    I bought an artist's canvas (the stretched canvas over a wooden frame type) that was the right size to cover the box. Then I painted it to match the wall color, and glued a beautiful poster on top.

    I hung it from two nails above the breaker box. Now when we need the breaker box, we just lift down the canvas, attend the breaker box, close the door, and hang the canvas back in place.

    And best of all, I don't have to look at that wretched big grey box all the time!

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  38. I couldn't believe you had an area of your home that was ugly! It looks and so pretty and welcoming now. Sarah x

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  39. A perfect solution to an ugly problem. Love how your creative mind works.
    Is that a kitty in your dryer, lol.

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  40. Bub is looking pretty amazing! Your sign really draws the eye, great job!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  41. You make Every Inch of your cottage look so fun, inviting, relaxing, enjoyable, and adorable!!!!
    Mary Alice

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  42. I have a BUB and some other unsightly features that I stay at trying to keep them disguised and under wraps! I love all of your ideas! So cute ;)
    Pat

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  43. Wow, that is amazing that the city would decide to just flip everybody around like that! You did a great job rolling with the changes and it looks beautiful and inviting.

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  44. I have SO many unsightly features in our house. Argh. Such great ideas! The side of my house needs lots of work. Your garden ideas are fantastic! xoxo Jen

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  45. Oh my, I hardly notice BUB! You have done a marvelous job of incorporating BUB and making your outdoor space festive, fun and oh so inviting:)I love visiting your pretty cottage...takes me to the Mediterranean region:) Wonderful job of making your outdoor space so vibrant and charming!Happy weekend~hugs, Poppy

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  46. There is far too much beauty going on there to ever notice BUB Carol!!!
    Is your party this weekend?
    Guest's must be so enthralled when they come to visit - I'd be squealing and jumping up and down the whole time lol ( and I WOULD be)
    Happy weekend !
    XOXOXOX

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  47. BUB should now stand for Beautiful Unique Box! I love all the red, white and blue outdoor additions, and of course, all the gorgeous colour in your flowers!

    Poppy

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  48. You did a great job disguising BUB! Love the sign and of course all the color!

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  49. Well….I can't really see BUB in the latter photos at all.

    I'm trying to understand….did the front of your house become the back? I'm confused. Your house is so cute it makes no difference, but I'm just curious.

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  50. I think both yards look nice. Seems like the back yard you have now is better for the things you do there.

    Your ideas are always nice.

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  51. Wonderfully camoflouged. Very creative. Beautiful space. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

    Hugs and Kisses,
    ❤️Ana

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  52. I never would've even noticed "BUB" if you hadn't have pointed it out! I think you've done a great job making that entry welcoming and functional at the same time.

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  53. You've done a great job of disguising BUB and making the area really pretty. What a welcoming area for your guests.

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  54. You've done a great job of disguising BUB and making the area really pretty. What a welcoming area for your guests.

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  55. I love your blog. It is so cheerful and colorful. All your little projects are so cute. Love it all. Karie

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  56. It takes a creative mind to make something like this work beautifully, and you certainly have it, dear Carol!
    Your glorious cottage is always an inspiration...
    xoxo,
    - Irina

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  57. BUB- you are too funny! Your BUB turned out beautiful and so welcoming. Love the bike!
    Sally@cottagefix

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  58. You have a lovely place and love how welcoming it looks.
    Happy new week
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  59. It sure looks great now! Sometimes the function gets in the way of the form! Mimi

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  60. Sheer genius! I didn't even notice the 'eyesore' at all. (Love the bike)

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  61. Oh my goodness, your sea cottage is gorgeous! I think you turned BUB into something beautiful:) Thank you so much for stopping by my blog!

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  62. I always love how you totally embrace your home and make it "you"!! Your sign is perfect in that spot and, once again, I love all of the red!!

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  63. You're good. The BUB disappeared like magic

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  64. What a great idea. And I'm so glad to see more of your exterior, your house is totally charming. I love that Dutch door too!

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