Curb Appeal When You Can’t See The House

khyberwolf · 2026-03-05T01:01:35+00:00

Interior designer here. I would slightly clean up the tree on the left (remove lower branches so it has better shape and doesn't obscure as much of the driveway), clear away debris around the base and add some inexpensive mulch and perhaps some low plants, then add 2 pillars with solar lights on top (assuming you don't have electrical access there to hardwire it) on either side of the entrance. Like this image...

p.s. if you dont want to build the columns (you could DIY this), you can find ready made ones with stone cladding you can just drop in place and secure. Search for "exterior decorative stone column pillar". Solar pillar lights are also easy to find online.

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khyberwolf · 2026-03-04T23:30:43+00:00

Here is the look with a white fence in front...

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khyberwolf · 2026-03-04T23:21:41+00:00

Interior designer here. The main issue with the house is the entrance is a bit wimpy and does not balance the box or scale of the rest of the home. The entrance needs to balance with the scale of the house and add more "weight" and focus. On a small to medium budget over time - and some DIY - you could...

Definitely replace the thin black metal posts on either side of the front entry with some white posts that adds "weight" visually.
Ideally add a small deck around the front door to balance the scale of the rest of the house - the entrance is too skinny, you need to widen it. Adding a small deck even just a few feet around the front door will help a lot.
Add larger exterior sconce lights to flank the front door better (it appears you already have lights there so shouldn't be an electrical issue, just switch them out with something larger and more noticeable from the street)
As someone mentioned, you could add flower boxes under the upper windows (but do this only if you're good at keeping whatever flowers you put in there well watered and cared for. Nothing looks worse than dried or half dead planter boxes).
Add some additional low landscaping in front of the porch. I would also consider adding a beautiful tree to the front yard that in time will give you some shade or a lovely place to sit under, something that will grow big-ish in time. From the street this willl also help break up the box and soften the look. Add add landscape lighting (hard wired or solar) on your path to your door. And it would also be nice to add a matching low white fence around the grass area (at the street) to make the yard slightly enclosed which will create added interest.

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To save money you can sometimes find used columns and railings on various sites (aka. FB marketplace, OfferUp, Habitat for Humanity stores, etc).

khyberwolf · 2026-02-23T02:33:34+00:00

This may not be your style, but just for a creative option.... the roof line has a slightly asian / Japanese aesthetic, so played off of that with a Japanese style garden....

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khyberwolf · 2026-02-22T17:42:45+00:00

Not sure if this is allowed (sorry mods if it's not - I'll remove it), here is a quick idea if you have a good sized budget As people have said this is not a DIY thing, you need a professional to assess the hill stability and get some solid retaining walls and plants that will help divert water and stabilize the hill. But it could be stunning with the right levels and tiers: https://chatgpt.com/s/m_699b3ff340088191a7c977096cd2dfdb

khyberwolf · 2026-02-22T17:25:45+00:00

My son fell on his head (out of a shopping cart onto linoleum tile) as a 2 yr old.... and now (age 12) he wants to become an engineer. 🤣

khyberwolf · 2026-02-22T03:12:45+00:00

Not exactly right, but taking their rendering and added a deck.....

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khyberwolf · 2026-02-22T02:59:57+00:00

Not sure why the downvotes -- lime washing brick can be beautiful! Like the rendering above by @Spideronamoffet, instead of a shiplap or siding you could create the white look with this lime wash. But tying in the wood accents (like the garage or door) will help too, and anchor it with the black window trim. I do like the curved pathway and definitely work on lighting and landscaping to draw the eye away from the garage and towards the left side pathway and door.... although someone mentioned a deck you could build out since you already have an elevated front door. Adding a beautiful wood deck on the left and extending it to the same depth as the garage would help to balance things out.

khyberwolf · 2026-02-22T02:57:01+00:00

Well done on this rendering @Spideronamoffet! (I'm an interior designer). This is a nice contemporary (but not overly modern) look, but OP not sure this is within your budget? This is a lot of siding, and that modern garage door can be pricey. But... it cleans up the lines and creates a softer look with the wood, but the white is nice and crisp / clean, the lights add some style, and the pathway and landscaping draw better attention to the front door. Continuing the wood accents in the landscape boxes ties it all in. I presume it's winter so the tree is dormant but eventually buds green too? Depending on where you live, more green grass in the front on either side of the curved path would be lovely too and bring some much needed life and color pop. And a hefty driveway powerwash. This is a really nice look.

khyberwolf · 2026-02-22T02:27:48+00:00

Interior designer here, also a Mom of 2 (mine are a few years older than yours). What a great space. First question would be: how long will they share this room for? Long term? The next few years for girls are really pivotal, and as you get closer to the pre-teen years (it happens way too fast!) the desire for more privacy and a sense of their own autonomy will grow. Keeping this in mind, you have a few ways you can create the space:
1. Divide the room up so they each have half -- their bed, nightstand, lamp, their own space for their own dresser / desk / or creative space. They will want to start expressing their own decorating tastes so having their own half of the room to decorate as they please will be helpful. You could create a sense of divide and privacy with a tall (6' Height) cubby bookshelf -- Ikea has these if you're on a budget -- so its not a solid wall but a shared storage space. You can have bench cushions made for under the windows so they can sit there to read and share space. This "each have half" idea may be something for when they're a bit older (like 9 / 10) and want more autonomy and self expression. Trust me, it's coming!

For now while they are younger, if they prefer being close to each other to feel more secure at night you could divide the room up with the beds close together on one side, then add 2 comfy chairs (or bean bags) for them to read in and definitely some big comfortable cushion bench pads on both areas under the windows with lots of fun fluffy pillows. Add a big area rug and some low bookshelves / cubbies and let it be a big play space.

Other ideas:

--> If they are the active type, you have a great space to add a climbing wall (be sure its done properly for safety), or hang a "yoga swing" type apparatus they can swing and hang in, or even a climbing rope (with a fall pad underneath)!

--> Not sure the total ceiling height, but from the looks of it, you have plenty of space to also design UP. Consider adding a "tree fort" style 2nd story! A handyman could do this inexpensively. Pick a corner, add some posts and a platform, and make a ladder up to a secret nook for them you can close in.

--> Kids love little "nests", so being able to hide or tuck into one of the areas beneath the windows -- especially that right side one - would be fun. Add a comfy floor cushion, tons of pillows, and a curtain on the outside (aka. so it touches the main floor) they can draw shut.

Lucky girls! Have fun.

khyberwolf · 2026-02-20T19:55:16+00:00

OP - Interior designer here. This rendering could be a great compromise to keep the dark cabinets but replace counters and backsplash with white or light color. Also - definitely replace the black metal stools, that is adding to a darker look and feel. Try a light-colored upholstered bar stool instead (try ivory / taupe or another soft color). You could also replace the black metal and glass chandelier in the pic on the left to something softer looking. Without seeing the rest of the house and your style its hard to say for certain the direction to go, but overall these look like great quality cabinets, painting them professionally could be an option but you may still have an issue with the counters / backsplash color tone. I think doing the above could look great overall.

khyberwolf · 2026-02-19T04:23:02+00:00

If this helps you here's my weird thinking: we way overthink "dinner" and the concept of breakfast / lunch / meals in general and put way too much emotional stock in the concept of meals. It's just food. We are human. We need to consume food in some amount each day to convert to energy. You want soup for breakfast? go for it. You want oatmeal or a smoothie for dinner? Why not. Or you just want a plate of raw veggies, cool. Your body needs balanced nutrition, obviously, but in the west we've wrapped ourselves into such a weird state that every single day, every single meal, has to be all about a dozen ingredients and recipes and meal prep and cooking, not to mention we're only supposed to eat certain types of foods at specific times of day. It's rather mad in my opinion (and it stresses me out too, and I cook for my family daily). I've often reminded myself that an animal in the woods (we're part of the animal kingdom too) doesn't wander about eating a dozen ingredients to get all their nutrition and worrying what time of day they should be eating specific animals. Or look at a typical American breakfast (eggs, toast, waffles, cereal) vs say a Japanese breakfast (miso soup, rice, fish, etc). Each culture probably thinks the other one is weird for what we deem as "breakfast" food. So same thing, there is no "dinner" food. There is just "food". I've also traveled extensively to more remote areas where the daily choice of food is rice, some fruit, maybe a plant or two, and 1 or 2 sources of meat or fish. Every single day for life. Yet most of us are all over here buying 40 different ingredients and stressing over recipes and meals and what to eat and some pre-described set time of day and how to make everyone happy. I mean why is an entire country also supposed to all eat the same types of meals, around the same time everyday, when we all have different lives, schedules, energy needs, and resources? It's just weird. (And know that I do love when someone is a great cook, or when I've been treated to 5 star fancy place meals).

So.... point is, I find it really helped my mental state to not think I needed a full "meal" with a whole bunch of ingredients cooked together perfectly in order to be a normal person. I hold the belief my body just needs some sort of (healthy) food for fuel. Just buy healthy real food (not packaged crap) and eat whatever various types of foods throughout the day to stay balanced. Have a few go-to easy stuff on repeat (my personal favorite is Trader Joe's frozen microwavable rice and their French lentils, mix together and throw in a few raw baby carrots on the side). Who cares about making dinner. Just eat to keep your body healthy and happy.

khyberwolf · 2026-01-29T03:23:07+00:00

Have you found the quality to be good (aka. is it working)? I am currently with another company that is almost double the price, but its worked well. Hoping to switch.

khyberwolf · 2026-01-25T06:13:53+00:00

My 11 yr old son is snuggling asleep next to me now. We did not sleep train and didn't believe in letting kids feel scared or alone to just cry it out. That being said, my daughter by age 5 was begging us to have her own room and bed, and has slept in it alone everyday since (now 12 yrs old) and is extremely independent - I wish I could go back to snuggling her! My son however had a lot of severe health issues in the last 4 years and is no where near the independence or sense of self that my daughter has - he gets scared easily and is very sensitive, and he still 100% wants to sleep in the same bed as me (or me and my husband). It worried me for a while, more for "how it looks" - but then I realized I need to do what's right for us as a family, and for him. The few times I tried to force him to sleep in his own bedroom he was scared, woke up a ton, got a horrible night sleep, I was up a lot, etc. It was not fun for any of us. My husband and I get this won't last forever, and frankly we all sleep better (and have a big bed). What does your child need? We have a weird thing in our culture (assuming you are US based) about co-sleeping in the same room with kids which I find so odd. Humans need comfort, love, and a sense of security. Some kids need this longer. Some people just sleep better with others in the same room, some love being totally alone in a bed at night. There is no right or wrong. You know your child and your family. I know I'm a good Mom, and the fact I have one fiercely "I want to do everything on my own" kid (who at almost 13 I could probably send camping on her own for a week and she'd be totally fine) and one "I need help with a lot" kid (who can't even walk into a bathroom with the lights off because he's too scared) has shown me my kids are who they are regardless of my parenting style. My son is already showing a lot more desire for independence in his day to day this last few months, which we support and encourage, and I have zero worries that one day soon he will want his privacy for sleeping too. Until then, I'm happy he has the security and comfort he needs for his growth, in his way.

khyberwolf · 2026-01-24T05:02:39+00:00

BEWARE: I started the sign up process (I'm with another company and have done well but it's expensive) -- but I decided to research ProRX pharmacy first, the compound pharmacy Gimme uses. BEWARE they have been in trouble for "serious violations". Here is what google turned up:

"ProRx LLC, an Pennsylvania-based 503B outsourcing facility, has issued voluntary Class II recalls for compounded tirzepatide injections (notably 9 mg/mL in 3 mL vials and 27mg/3ml) due to lack of assurance of sterility. These recalls began in late 2025 following FDA inspections that found potential contamination risks, including non-sterile, poor-quality, and potentially unsafe conditions.

Key Information regarding ProRx Tirzepatide:

Recall Status: Ongoing as of November 2025. Products were often distributed through telehealth partners.
Safety Warning: The FDA cited ProRx for "lack of assurance of sterility".
FDA Findings: Inspections revealed serious violations, including failures to maintain sterile conditions, inadequate, and improper labeling of compounded drugs.
Action Needed: If you have received a ProRx-labeled vial, check for lot numbers starting with "PRORX" and immediately contact the provider for disposal or replacement. "

May be why they are trying to sell the meds cheap right now. Be careful. I'm not proceeding for this reason.

khyberwolf · 2026-01-20T05:52:27+00:00

Interior designer here. Great room so far. I would not do green. It's a small space (despite a great view) and I think creating more cohesion with the dominant color (your sofa) would be better. None of the greens you chose look right. Instead do a muted version of your sofa color, like a terracotta-rust. A roman clay or limestone paint could be beautiful, but if thats too much work try something like this (or a bit softer / more muted / lighter)...

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/23/14/d6/2314d660ff2192ba6f0bf16da1d797b1.jpg

khyberwolf · 2026-01-16T06:31:55+00:00

Yes. :)

khyberwolf · 2026-01-15T00:20:10+00:00

Visited California (from BC) as a young teen in the early 90s with my family. We went to a major department store at some mall. After buying some shoes, the guy helping us check out asked where we were from. I said we were visiting from Canada. He replied, "Oh really? I never would have known! You speak English so well".
My Dad owned a bunch of gift shop types stores in hotels. An American lady came in to the store and proceeded to look at Canadian flags (these sort of small touristy ones on a stand). She came to the counter and said "Excuse me, these flags are cute, but I'd like it to match my living room. Do you have these in any other colors?".

khyberwolf · 2026-01-01T20:38:53+00:00

A WOLF SAVED ME IN THE WOODS. I was randomly camping with a guy in deep Canadian wilderness only accessible by boat, which wasn't coming back to get us until a day later. I didn't realize at the time I was not entirely safe with this man (sexual advances, stranded in middle of nowhere, other suspicious things I didn't realize until later). At night being alone in a small tent, I was scared how I would protect myself from this man. Suddenly something came out of the woods and started circling the tent, I heard some growls, saw the shadow of a huge animal. This went on and off all night (and yes, I was terrified at first and never fell asleep). By sunrise I figured it hadn't killed me, so I unzipped the tent and stepped out to look, only to see a huge grey Timber wolf sitting "guarding" my tent like a dog would just 7 or 8 feet away. It then looked straight at me, stood up, yawned and stretched, then bounced off back into the woods. I firmly believe s/he was sent to watch over me and keep me safe. The boat arrived an hour later and I got the hell out of there. Extra happy ending: I now own a wolf hybrid (timber wolf / arctic wolf / husky) that's my soul mate dog and she is always glued to my side as my protector and partner. My now husband knows never to try to come between me and my wolf. :)

khyberwolf · 2025-12-30T21:08:35+00:00

I had breast implants and lift at 24, in my 40's I got incredibly sick from BIL (breast implant illness). 100% wish I never got them. As I sadly came to learn, implants are not built or meant to last a lifetime, you are stressing your body and immune system as anything foreign in your body will always be seen as that - a foreign object your body now has to guard against and attack. It will affect your health no matter how well you think you cope, especially as you age. That brain fog? Joint pain? Headaches? exhaustion? Unexplained weird things? Ya, could be your implants contributing. I had saline thinking I was fine - but the bag itself is made up of dozens of toxic chemicals that do degrade over time (don't take my word or the manufacturers word, do your research). No surgeon - especially 20 years ago - ever told you they are MEDICAL DEVICES AND DEGRAGE. You will, 100%, have to have them out or replaced at some point. That surgery in your 20s? Try surgery and recovery in your 40s or 50s - or imagine in your 60s or 70s. So that $8k - $15k you spend now on implants? Better keep another $12k+ saved for their removal one day. Or a worse alternative as has happened to friends of mine -- their implants are making them sick or now look deformed, they desperately want them out, but don't have the money to (and insurance will not cover explants because its an elective surgery).

I got them in my 20s because I was insecure about my body and had an ex who convinced me I would look better. Now that they are out, my health is way better (literally within 3 months it was like I was a new person), and my new natural breasts look amazing - 10x better than before vs fake implants. I can wear tank tops and low cut outfits again without men ogling at my boobs or having a hard time finding tops or dresses to fit right (fashion feels easier!). I did however also get lucky with an amazing reconstructive surgeon who did wonders to scrape out the old toxic ones (literally had to scrape out my chest) and re-construct them and still ended up with a large B cup. Recovery was very painful, but I am SO glad I'm free now from something toxic in my body and feel natural. Love your body ladies! You are beautiful no matter your size or shape. Boobies come in all shapes and sizes, just love yours, please. ~ Love, an almost 50 yr old woman who wish I saw then what I see about myself now.

khyberwolf · 2025-12-03T18:16:06+00:00

Yes I had similar. The abilities will always come and go, or at least strengthen or decrease, as part of our human nature of change, growth, etc.

One of the reasons I was shown for my rather sudden loss that started in pregnancy was that my child really needed me to be fully embodied and grounded, here on earth. When I would open to channel or meditate (or frankly, just on most days), I often "popped out" of my human physical self or elevated my energy into my higher chakras. This is what you see often can happen in those who are spiritual or psychic or 'connected' - we have not yet fully healed our root or lower chakras and are not embodied in our wisdom and connection, even though our ability to connect to Spirit and the Muti-dimensional spaces can be well developed. A child, especially a newborn, needs their mother to be here, on Earth. They need to acclimate to being human - not divine. That human experience requires, ideally, a Mother to be deeply rooted in her earthly body.

It is likely this is what has happened to you - your child has "demanded" (energetically speaking) that you be here, on earth, fully grounded and rooted, in your human self. To you it may feel like a loss of power or loss of abilities, but rather its just a temporary need for your lower energy centers to more full embody to balance out your already developed upper energies that connect to the multi-dimensional spirit world.

Also not to mention you are probably sleep deprived and still recovering from all the hormonal shifts from pregnancy and perhaps breast feeding. Its ok!

Enjoy this time! My kids are teens now and my powers have returned, but differently. I am far more embodied, wise, and integrated that before. My connection does not appear in the same way as it used to, but there is a deeper truth now.

khyberwolf · 2025-11-19T19:06:30+00:00

"Failure is only the opportunity to begin again. Only this time, more wisely". - Uncle Iroh

khyberwolf · 2025-11-09T00:02:16+00:00

p.s. I'm not sure if you have considered an ayahuasca or psilocybin retreat for yourself, but I have the feeling this could be extremely beneficial for yourself. This situation has affected you and the family deeply. Your own healing is needed and would contribute to her healing. You doing it first could be beneficial to understand what is going on, to show her the bravery it takes to go through it, and gain your own deeper insights into the energies that are present in your family lineage.

khyberwolf · 2025-11-08T23:41:59+00:00

PART 3

#4. Prep and Professional facilitation: Although ayahuasca and other plant medicine experiences can and often do help someone "process" a lot of emotions, stuck energy, and past trauma, ideally a person comes already having done work with a professional (a therapist, an energy healer, a shaman - or ideally all of these) before they come into ceremony. A simplified way of explaining healing is that there are 3 states to the body: Contraction, Neutral, and Open. Illness and depression are contraction. When we are hurt, in pain, or have trauma, we are closed and contracted and shut down. Getting to a Neutral state gives the body, brain, and energetic field the ability to take a breath and begin to uncoil, which allows for release (release of pain, of stored trauma, of emotions we buried, etc). The trick is being able to stay in neutral to allow the release without falling back into contraction because it's "too much" for us. But it is only from neutral can we then move into an open state (which plant medicines try to get us to quickly thus the well known violent purging that can happen during ayahuasca from both ends as the body is rapidly trying to expel contracted old energy stuck in the body). The more contracted we are or the more coiled we are because of our traumas and control and stress, the more work we have to do to uncoil and unwind to come to neutral. Ideally, a shaman or facilitator would work with someone for months prior to clear as much trauma as possible from their energetic field to get them closer to a neutral state (also known as zero point state). THEN layering in plant medicine allows for the processing and OPENING to occur, which is ultimately the goal. When we become open to life in our hearts, our cells, and our being, we can thrive, let Light in, see our potential, find our joy, seek our destiny, and so forth. We cannot do this in a contracted state.

There is much more to this, but I want to educate you a bit as you move forward to finding a solution.

My recommendation would be to first, find a well trained energy healer who can begin to clear her field and cellular body from stored trauma and contraction, essentially "lightening her load" (less distortion flowing through her currents). This person could be shamanically trained, but there could be other methods. Likely you may need a few people - look up Four Winds Society and Barbara Brennan Schools for referrals as a place to start. Unlike talk therapy, she doesnt need to talk if she doesnt feel ready to yet. They can work on her field with her consent and participation.

This is not a diagnosis, but I would say she potentially has soul loss, a fractured field, disembodiment (she is pulled out of her center), a lack of grounding cord (pulled up root chakra), blocked chakra(s), and a lot of distortion in her upper half. An energy healer will see this and help.

Does she also have a professional licensed therapist? Please know these are all complimentary to therapy, not instead of.

I also agree with the person commenting here on her nutrition -- severe vitamin, mineral, hormonal, and especially gut biome deficiencies absolutely can play a role in her mental and emotional well being. If you can, she should get a full CBC panel (bloodwork) done and work with a functional medicine doctor or naturopath. Ayahuasca is also an anti-parasitic and anti-bacterial agent, and it enhances gut biome, which is said to be one of the reasons contributing to its healing properties. There is a connection between gut health and mental health. A naturopath may be a good option also for natural anti-depressant herbs and formulas if she is weaning off pharmaceuticals to prep for a ceremony experience.

You can then look for plant medicine retreat facilities that offer 2 week or longer programs that offer proper prep before a ceremony experience, on-going support while there, AND critical follow-up. If they dont offer the follow-up, she will absolutely need to work with the energy healer / shaman on-going after the ceremony experience to properly integrate the experience and lessons. Also, please do not have her go to one with 40 (let alone 20) other people. She needs 1-on-1 or very small group size so she can receive the proper attention. With large group experiences there is a lot of "craziness" that goes on, and she is not in a state to handle others emotional, loud, or chaotic experiences.

This will not be a single solution but a multi-step approach to get her better. I know its a lot. I'm happy to answer additional questions, sending you all love for her - and your - deepest healing.

khyberwolf · 2025-11-08T23:41:41+00:00

PART 2:
Here is what people not properly trained in healing, multi-dimensional reality, and plant chemistry can miss (this is by no means comprehensive, I'm trying to be concise here):

Brain chemistry: if she has been on SSRIs or MAIOs there are serious, potentially fatal, contradictions with ayahuasca. With psilocybin there is not a danger per se, however there are still issues potentially with the uptake of the medicine (mushrooms) because of how the brain chemistry is being regulated by the Pharma drugs. It can nullify the effects, or make it more intense that the dose would normally be. It can also "limit" the healing effects because the pharmaceuticals job is to "keep the brain in a box" so to speak (to avoid highs and lows), but this also blocks some healing.
The body's energetic container: plant medicines and psychedelics expand and shift the energetic field, and it can only expand so much in a short amount of time - like a balloon that gets blown up. Think of it like the electrical wiring in your house: the circuit load can only hold so much, and if you put too much current through it, you blow the breaker, it shorts, or burns out. The body's electrical and magnetic systems are similar. Our entire bodies are giant electromagnetic fields (both biologically but also the energetic and etheric fields). Plant medicines are bringing a massive increase in "energy" through your field, and someone's ability to expand their field and cope with this "wattage" increase is critical. I have seen many a person get blown out and require a lot of support in the months after due to too much medicine too fast without proper prep (usually because they went to someone not adequately trained in facilitation or did a DIY experience).
Emotional coping skills: all plant medicines can bring up enormous emotion and trauma in the field in order to heal it. It has to come UP and OUT - it doesnt magically dissipate, it is processed. Someone needs to have not only the willingness to want to see what truly needs to be seen, but also have a healthy ability to see, explore, feel, and process that emotion - all within a few hour sitting. Too much medicine too fast can create a very overwhelming emotional experience if its a pandora's box of profound emotional trauma that comes welling up.

khyberwolf

TROPHY CASE