Driveway retaining wall

Modern farmhouse defines this landscaping that blends contemporary elements such as ipe wood and polished concrete countertops with converted livestock troughs where organic vegetables thrive. The new landscaping was a dramatic improvement to the 0.3-acre Carlsbad property that the homeowner purchased as a flip house in 2010. “The investor put some plants and bark down,” said the homeowner, who wishes to remain anonymous. “There was a wood deck in the back but it wasn’t pressure-treated, so we just painted over it. As new homeowners, we didn’t know any better.” A more critical issue was the absence of a retaining wall on the steep downward slope in front of the house. As a temporary fix, railroad timbers and juniper trees were installed to secure the soil. Another challenge was to build steps to provide safe access between the street and the home. Starting at the end of 2015 and continuing into 2016, the homeowner embarked on a more permanent … [Read more...] about Landscaped levels in Carlsbad

Judy Rose Special to the Detroit Free Press Published 7:00 AM EDT Apr 20, 2019 Set into Ives Woods in the city of Ann Arbor with a low cobblestone wall wrapped around it, this 1915 Tudor house exudes the gracious living of a century ago. If you count formal rooms, there are 17. If you count everything else, that nearly doubles. You’d add the four airy sleeping porches that date from before air conditioning. Now they’re used as sunrooms or music rooms for the bedrooms they’re attached to. More: $3.9M cottage-style home in Bloomfield Hills is rarity on the market More: Plymouth Twp. mansion has indoor pool, locker rooms, hot tub You’d also count three screened porches, including one on the second floor. There are six full or half baths and a large butler’s pantry with great glass-cabinet storage for dishes. There even is a canning pantry. The old descriptions like “tomatoes” and “green beans” still label its shelves. … [Read more...] about $1.9M Tudor in Ann Arbor retains quirky 1915 features

SEPTEMBER 16, 2016, 4:23:59 A.M. 911 operator: “This line is recorded. Where is your emergency?” Laura: “I’m at Somerville Hospital.” 911 operator: “I’m sorry. Where are you?” Laura: “Somerville Hospital.” 911 operator: “OK, what’s the emergency?” Laura: “I’m having an asthma attack. I’m dying.” 911 operator: “Whereabouts are you at the hospital?” Laura: “Emergency room.” 911 operator: “OK.” Laura: “I can’t get in.” 911 operator: “Let me get you into Somerville. You’re outside?” Laura: “Mm-hm.” 911 operator: “Are you in the parking lot?” Laura: “Yeah.” 911 operator: “Are you in a vehicle?” Laura: “No. I’m just outside it.” 911 operator: “At the door?” Laura: “Asthma. Asthma.” 911 operator: “Are you … [Read more...] about Laura Levis died outside a Boston-area ER. The doors were locked. Why?