Design-Using the Colors of the Sierras

One idea was to match paint colors of our home to colors of the trees, plants and flowers right here on the land. Samples of the red manzanita twigs, Arctostaphylos viscida, the deep green of the bear clover, Chamaebatia foliolosa, and lots more were collected in an egg carton. Then a very fun day was spent at the paint department matching colors and choosing paint chips. My husband looked askance at all this, ….heck, no one can figure out what makes someone else tick.

So the idea is to use colors from our place for the house color and anything else painted would be in these colors, having our man-made structures blend into the natural surroundings.  I pondered the color of our future house for a year at least. Too long, but finally chose a brown similar to the oak bark with darker brown trim. If you like chocolate, you could also say milk chocolate and dark chocolate.

This whole project seems to bring me closer to the wildlife here, makes me feel more part of it all, like it’s becoming home here.

Sue Langley

Sue Langley, a passionate gardener and photographer lives and gardens with her husband and Corgi, Maggie on 7 acres just south of Yosemite, Zone 7 at 3000 feet. She also manages the Flea Market Gardening Facebook page and website.

Share
Published by
Sue Langley

Recent Posts

How to Be Lazy Gardener

  ...and still have a pretty garden  With a busy household and jobs, we are…

5 years ago

Summer is Spring at Whiskey Falls!

Take a day trip to Whiskey Falls... Come visit Whiskey Falls and the surrounding high…

5 years ago

California oak acorns: Feast or famine

Why do oaks drop more acorns some years and not others? If you have live…

6 years ago

Mule’s ear and Farewell to Spring

Roadside treasures worth  stopping for In the first week of July in the Sierra foothills…

6 years ago

Our favorite butterfly plants

Wow! Butterflies love these plants! Grow any of these for instant results and each is…

6 years ago

A water-saving veggie garden for the foothills

Your water-wise veggie garden Does everyone in our Mountain Community grow at least one tomato?…

6 years ago