BEFORE AND AFTER— Home And Garden Renovations

Press, Volume C, Issue 29517, 19 May 1961, Page 7

BEFORE AND AFTER— Home And Garden Renovations

"If only I'd known then what I know now!”—what a common phrase that is when renovations are about to take place! And there are few persons who would do exactly the same again—time emphasises desirable changes. Different viewpoints also show up necessary alterations —new' owners may find changes are desirable to fit their exact circumstances. Mr and Mrs J. C. Simpson, of Moncks Spur, recently made changes to their property involving both house and garden, and the “before and after” effects are most interesting, as the illustrations show. Before alterations commenced the front of the house w as dominated by a tall and rather dangerous flight of steps to the front door. The high foundations were very

prominent and detracted from the appearance of the house. And the front garden, was rather pointless, since it could not be used. The alterations to the house consisted of the conversion of a bedroom—right-hand side of the front—into the lounge, which had previously been at the rear of the house, in a shady position. The front steps were demolished, and the entrance hall turned into a sunroom. The garden was changed to fit the new layout of the house. The front door leads now into the lounge—the converted bedroom at the front of the house. The pathway leads through the front garden, so that it immediately becomes a much more utilitarian part of the design. You walk through this part of the garden and appreciate the plants it contains. To

disguise the height of the foundations a small terrace about 2ft 6in high was constructed of walling stone, the stones being laid dry. In this terrace an attractive selection of suitable plants beguiles visitors as they go to the front door. And instead of 10 steps as before, there are now only five, leading on to a small grassed terrace. This makes it much more convenient to say goodbye to friends without edging them into space! From the lounge the view is over the irregular and attractive grassed terrace, into the garden, and finally out to sea. The garden is appreciated far more than it was before—and the house is improved into the bargain. How many other homes there must be which will benefit from an imaginative bit of planning such as this!