In the Beginning ...

This is my house when I first moved in, seven years ago. I use this picture to show the house because, since that time, I moved or added a number of plants, including what was a good sized self-seeded tree. Unfortunately, it turned out to be an American Elm. This made the actual front of my house is a little difficult to see.

It was a nice front yard and I'll remember it fondly.

When I bought my house it was the perfect size for me. I had big plans for things to change (doesn't everyone?), but the house fulfilled my essential needs. It is convenient to shopping, mass transit, the library, downtown and most anything else I need or care about. I am also well located to belong to Flexcar, making it possible for me to get around comfortably without owning a car. And, as a bonus, I have a small but completely private back yard right in the middle of Portland.

The problem started when I began working from home. My spare bedroom became an office and I lost my sewing room/craft room/guest room/extra space. I also had an office that was at the back of the house, so clients had to come through the living room and past the bedroom and bathroom to get to it. I finally decided it was time to make the change, either move or add on another room.

My front yard was a combination of paving and perennials

My back yard, a small but secluded space where I had done little work beyond removing the laurel hedge and disguising the fence with slats and ivy.

My carport and patio took up the entire back corner of a very small lot.

My living room ... See the bike? That is where it lived. Obstructed access, mud on the floor, marks on the wall, no coat closet, unavoidably drafty. It was not a comfortable space and the least used room in the house.

Getting Started