IN LOCO: BALCONY – How I used natural elements to transform my mom's yard into a lively, inviting, and welcoming space!
- Adriely Salvador
- Dec 6, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 21, 2024
During my last weeks in Brazil, I was more than ever involved in my craft skills, which included creating decorative objects and, most importantly, cultivating and maintaining my beloved plants! Taking advantage of the recent renovation of my mom's yard, which she had completed earlier this year in the first semester, I, as the architect daughter and the one who came up with the basic ideas for this new space in the house (nothing more than my duty, haha), decided to go beyond the design of the physical structure, material choices and lighting of the area. Instinctively, with much love, I took full responsibility for the plants in the house, which, during and after the renovation, had been affected by the temporary relocation to allow for the movement of the work crew, material storage and the renovation itself. They also suffered from a lack of proper care due to the inevitable mess and dirt caused by the construction work.
First, I started by selecting the plants that had suffered the most from sun exposure in the outdoor area of the house and moved them to the new balcony. Gradually, I did the same with the others. Once all of them were gathered, I began sorting them into groups based on their immediate needs (those whose pots were damaged, dirty, preserved, etc.). Next, I planned the purchase and placement of new pots and accessories in their proper models, sizes, and materials, already aiming for the future harmony of the space.
During this planning, I began the maintenance and "rescue" of the plants. I carried out regular watering and fertilizing, removed dry and damaged leaves, cleaned the healthy leaves, treated some species affected by pests, and, finally, performed the necessary pruning.
Once that was done, and after a period of significant improvement in the health of the plants, we went shopping for all the materials needed for preparing new substrates, pot drainage and planting. Next, we bought new pots and accessories, and finally we began the repotting.
This is the finished area. The new rustic grayish floor with a satin finish, structure and window frames in fine wood, resin-coated clay tiles, satin paint in an earthy tone, a planter ready to be filled with properly prepared soil, and some plants in the right corner of the photo in the recovery period. The only thing that was overlooked during the execution was the definition of the electrical points and light fixtures (yes! I took a long trip without getting this done in time), but nothing as a small renovation, aka rework (don’t try this at home!), couldn’t solve! Ugh, I know.
Done. During the final stage of the electrical installations and, of course, with the light fixtures properly chosen according to the style and atmosphere we wanted to create, I started thinking about which textures to apply to certain walls in order to provide greater comfort in the space and, together with the lighting, successfully achieve this goal.
My mother has always admired the use of natural stones as wall and surface coverings, and I, as a lover of stones because they are commonly used in traditional and very cozy buildings, took the opportunity to bring this idea to life.
We know here on this blog that many stones add a touch of rusticity and coziness when properly applied, and that’s exactly what I wanted to bring to the space. Together with the other elements, they should create a feeling of peace, comfort, satisfaction, and a connection to nature, all within a beautiful and embracing environment, both for introspective moments and social gatherings.
And here is the result of the wall finished with this wonderful stone, super classic and timeless. The goal of choosing this wall was to make this corner the main spot of the yard, encouraging both socializing and contemplation of the space, which is already thoughtfully designed with vegetation, natural ventilation and natural materials and textures to create the well-being mentioned earlier. After all, the rest of the area also serves as a garage, so we combined the practical with the pleasant. Oh, and it also turned out to be super "instagrammable", don’t you agree? *.*
With this stage completed, and the light fixtures installed, we moved on to organizing the plants (in the images where they appear, they were not yet organized). Before preparing the drainage and substrate, I took the ceramic pots I had specially bought in the desired styles and put my artistic skills to work: I textured and painted them as my creativity flowed. Before that, of course, I carefully chose the paint colors and other materials for the effects. And the result is right here, as the images show!
They turned out beautiful, don’t you agree? I personally loved the result, as I’m a big fan of textures, metallic and aged effects, and I was able to create something similar to that in some of them.
After finishing the painting on the pots, we moved on to preparing the substrate and drainage so that the plants could be carefully planted and placed in their spots in the space. Some I decided to hang, both on stainless steel supports on the floor and others suspended from the trellises, so that their hanging nature would flow, radiating beauty and life. See in the images:
In addition to the potted plants, I also created a planter on the side of the area, in the same direction as our "instagrammable wall", so that full-sun species and ground plants could be introduced, enhancing the space with their medium-sized and abundant foliage.
These photos were taken right after transplanting the plants and seedlings into the soil during the month of August.
My dream for this planter was to also plant at least one or two açaí palms, but then I changed my mind because I was afraid the roots would become too protruding and the planter wouldn't have enough space from the wall to accommodate them. Then, three months later, after I had already settled in the States, my mom shared some very happy news with me: two little açaí palms started sprouting naturally in the planter! I was so happy because I really wanted those açaí palms, and now, despite still being concerned about the space, I decided to embrace them. I just asked my mom to relocate one of them more toward the center of the planter in relation to the wall, and whatever happens, happens! Hahaha, such beautiful and dreamed-of little lives beginning, I could never discard them, not even for a beautiful pot or for someone else!! That will always be their place!
Here are a few more images of specific areas.
Two small steps in this area were still left unfinished: the installation of wall pots for the hanging species in the opposite corner of the planter – because the day of my trip arrived and there wasn’t enough time – and the application of an acrylic coating made with fragments of specific natural stones on the planter’s wall. This was postponed to a second phase of execution due to being a bit more expensive for the moment, but as soon as it is applied, I will update the article with the new addition or create a specific one just about that.
And this was the final result of the moment. A revitalized space with nothing outrageously expensive, no ostentation, no trendy fads or anything like that, only what matters: the reflection of the person living there, essence, personality, harmony, life, and meaning through the choice and application of every detail, which communicate our being and state of mind. It recharges and rebalances us with coziness, good energy and still invites others to truly enjoy what a home should truly provide and enable, beyond just shelter and security: warmth, health, peace, joy, fellowship, stories, and good memories.
One especially important detail about this revitalization: just before leaving for another country, it was a very special and loving way for me to leave something valuable and meaningful for my family. And since I left, it’s where my mom is always reflecting and remembering with affection and longing for her daughter.
Always remember: our house is our home, and our home is our temple. Our temple should serve us, but for that, we must serve it first and always.
Until the next post!
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