In our new apartment, Andrew and I have access to an all-cement backyard that's at least 20' x 20'. The backyard is about a 3.5-4 foot drop from our big kitchen window. The apartments above us have access via a fire escape but rarely use the space. The yard is surrounded on three sides by tall (>10') solid (not chain link) fences and on one side by our building. (I'll post a picture soon.)
Here is the contest:
- Come up with a safe way for pregnant mom and mom & baby to easily get outside without simultaneously making the apartment incredibly easy to burgle.
- Create a design for flowerbed gardens in the all-cement backyard. We want at least one for herbs and at least one for flowers.
- Plan patio furniture, a grill, and seating for 20 (for the awesome backyard parties we'll be having this summer).
- Suggest ways to accomplish the entire backyard scheme for less than $500.
6 comments:
Okay. So you put in a fire escape from your window. Nice safe steps. You put normal bars on that window. Nice and safe. You put normal planters in the garden. And a wading pool for Miles (next summer). And lounge chairs for me to sun--and Amy and Katrina to pop in to join me. (If that's too much trouble, we'll bring our own.) Screw the budget. You put it all on your baby register for the shower.
Okay. I win. His name is Miles Andrew Fu.
I am not the person to help! I spend all day every day trying to decide how to rearrange my apartment to fit the 4 of us and I've made little progress. I'm sorry. This sounds like something that the Furnace Brook members would be much better at! PS The good news is I am 95% done with your wedding album. Does that give me rights to weigh in on the middle name? I like Andrew (we did that with Anders - used Thomas as his middle name). But I'm still loving Christensen used as his middle name, too. Love, K
Thomas was me, Kirsten. Sorry, I don't understand how I was signed in as Tom! Woops!
I think you need a drop-down ladder such as one you'd use on a boat. (Not sure how much those cost.) Then you need long, plastic rectangular planters (about $4.99 each at Lowe's)
. . . ok I totally wasn't done writing the plan . . .then we can drive upstate to some thrift stores and score some very cheap, but very cool chaise lounges and chairs (or just buy plastic ones from Lowes or Home Depot (about $20 each). Also Lowe's has these very cool planters that look like they are made of cement for the middle of the garden, in which we can plant a medley of flowers (I suggest buying four and staging them at framing points towards the edges of the space; $20/each). Grills are as low as $50 at Home Depot. Suggestion for middle name: Henry. :-)
Ok, here's what I think needs to happen... No matter what kind of stairs/ladder is installed the window will need to have bars installed.. I also think the window will have to be changed from slider up/down to opening like a french window - does that make sense? Then the bars can go on each pane and when the windows are closed they will be secured. I'm much more worried about your security than I am about aesthetics.. :) His name should be Miles Christoffer Fu or Miles Benjamin Fu. I think Amy's design combined with A. Nancy's activities will be perfectly appropriate. :)
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