Sarasota Real Estate Talk

Now that the inside of our new Sarasota Modern home is almost complete, it is time to start thinking about the outside landscape.  Our landscape architect, Lee Alderman with Safe Lee Green, has drawn us a plan that includes both soft and hardscape. For our paths, walkways, porch and deck, we made the decision to use travertine marble.  We liked the fact that the travertine remains cool in the hot summer months and also it comes in a good size, 16×16 and has coping to fit around our pool edge.

Since we purchased an “urban” lot, we had some challenges in the back yard as to how we were going to gain privacy and block out the houses behind us.  Since we wanted a “zen” feel, we decided to use Buda Bamboo, mixed with some Fishtail Palm along the back.  In between, we planted some foxtail ferns.  Unfortunately, the day before we planted the Bamboo, we had a cold snap and they lost a lot of foliage.  But now they are getting new growth and in another month, we’ll start to see them fill in.

For the front of the house, we wanted a shock of color and decided to put a couple of deep blue pots at the gate entrance with some beautiful bromeliads that have a similar color to our entry door.

Inside the courtyard, we have a couple of smaller blue pots at the columned entry.  Our courtyard will eventually have a water fountain near the stone wall and on the opposite side, a bench.  These are two items which we haven’t found yet and want them to be special, so we are taking out time with it.

In the back, our pool is small, but we brought the stone feature from the front to the back by making a water fountain with it.  Now, when you walk up to the front door, you see the stone on the outside and you look through the front doors to the stone on the pool!

Behind the pool, you see the Budda Bamboo and fishtail palm along with the teeny tiny foxtail ferns which will be huge by the end of summer here!

Upcoming: