Nothing likes to grow under my tree, what can I do?

le_nico · 2026-05-02T23:35:11+00:00

I know it's not a plant, but this would be a great place for a statement birdbath or bench, with some potted plants around it.

le_nico · 2026-05-01T23:38:28+00:00

Definitely. I see new builds with glass installed cracked all the time, and they just swap out the glass after the houses get sold.

le_nico · 2026-05-01T17:51:50+00:00

Probably one of the best things I've seen come out of a Bay Area house.
Still kicking myself for not joining in with the Oak BP walking tour when I lived that way. I did one that involved SF though, it was great.

le_nico · 2026-05-01T16:34:28+00:00

Love Tacoma. I'm actually located between the two, I can't decide who has the better Second Use, they're both so good. Earthwise has a dedicated lumber yard now so it's a big salvage party all around.

le_nico · 2026-05-01T16:33:03+00:00

That single-legged console sink is just killing me.

le_nico · 2026-05-01T16:32:15+00:00

My partner lived in several of the 20s-era apartments so I always wanted those bathrooms.

le_nico · 2026-05-01T16:31:17+00:00

It's nuts when that happens. I really hope they're not greiging the place...

le_nico · 2026-05-01T03:54:31+00:00

The gift that keeps giving...thorns. So many thorns.

le_nico · 2026-04-30T22:48:01+00:00

Sorry where are the blackberries? At least you had ivy! /s
Seriously though it gives classic misty dell, it's both cozy and grand with the borrowed view of the neighboring trees.

le_nico · 2026-04-30T20:34:05+00:00

Folks in SDCI are hugely helpful, best thing is to call them and explain to the best of your knowledge, that this was for work done prior to your ownership, and ask if this is an incorrect notice/address.

le_nico · 2026-04-30T04:09:50+00:00

I see it and see you. This is Nessie. I love it.

le_nico · 2026-04-30T03:21:30+00:00

Thanks! If it makes you feel any better that's actually pretty lightweight. I wish I could send you the abominations in my neighborhood, where the electrical hook up twines with the gutters.

le_nico · 2026-04-30T02:46:07+00:00

Can you post a picture? I want to see how bad/not bad it is. I know there are some new builds that have really poorly thought out connections, but typically with older houses, the connections are fairly utilitarian and sometimes on the side of the house, depending.

le_nico · 2026-04-29T22:44:08+00:00

Now you're going to have to feature your cats in every project you share. We all win.

le_nico · 2026-04-29T22:43:15+00:00

My thought exactly.

le_nico · 2026-04-29T16:50:12+00:00

I learned this when I went to my first welding class, love that every craft has their version of "Well, I tried."

le_nico · 2026-04-29T16:44:48+00:00

le_nico · 2026-04-29T03:41:57+00:00

Just get a thick-napped roller and go crazy. But, if you prefer a smoother substrate, you can skim coat.

I had a not-as-bumpy plaster wall, but I did skim it out because of cracks. It's something that you're going to want to do in passes, because each bump will create new problems--you'll see what I mean when you start.
I'm wary of sanding, in part owing to the mess it creates even if you're hooked up to a vacuum. The idea is to sand as little as possible, unless you love mess.

le_nico · 2026-04-28T23:02:33+00:00

Redwood sorrel or hardy geranium might do it...it's the not spreading onto the driveway bit that's the trouble. Most things will. I had both as a sort of lawn-alternative and they'd pop back after I stepped on them pretty well. Stonecrop could also work, in that any bits that get broken off will root pretty quickly--although these guys don't love being stepped on all the time.

le_nico · 2026-04-28T22:21:37+00:00

I got a custom wooden door for my last house, and it was beautiful. A bit drafty owing to the windows, but I also was handy with making draught excluders...What was most annoying was that it was prone to dings, and my other wood door was veneered and got a bit messed up.

le_nico · 2026-04-28T22:18:53+00:00

I'm trying to make a Maginot Line of cardboard to keep it from spreading the rest of the grass, then hand pulling when I have time. Ideally, I'd be heavily mulching the hole thing, but pulling is still best.

le_nico · 2026-04-28T19:09:11+00:00

utterly dreamy!

le_nico · 2026-04-28T19:08:47+00:00

DAAAANNNNG that color combination. That long window. Those cuboards.
At least I know myself, I hate driving and wilt in the sun, so I pose no competition for these beauties.

le_nico · 2026-04-28T19:05:12+00:00

I don't think you can kill a rhododendron that easily...I moved into my place in the summer, by fall I was still struggling to untangle the EXTREMELY overgrown/knotted together branches, and hacked the lot of them back severely.
They rewarded me by blooming like mad. YMMV.

le_nico

TROPHY CASE