Here comes the rain!

After weeks of sweltering heat in Los Angeles the weather has finally taken a turn for the cooler. Of course, it couldn’t just turn pleasantly chill, there had to be rain with the relief.  I will appreciate the water from the sky on behalf of all the thirsty plants and try not to think about the sheets of plywood through which sunlight easily peeks that is my roof for now.  The inspector found one thing to question and halted his activities rather than mark that one item and continue the rest of the inspection.  So the roof wasn’t bought off which means all the roofing material remains in the garage not on the top of the house.  Oh well.

Even as I stand in the bare bones of my home I find myself thinking about the exterior.  Where once there had been mature rose plants there are trampled stalks.  The tall hedges that flanked the front of the house creating a focal point of the front door are reduced to this…

In all the paperwork from the insurance settlement there was not one word about the landscape.  I called my personal adjuster and mentioned this to him.  He got back to me later that same day with the happy news that Liberty Mutual will cover the costs to replace any damaged plants. I just need to get bids.  I was pleased with the news but had to wonder, if I hadn’t asked would they have offered or would they have let me pay for it all myself?

The tricky thing is that I likely can’t replace what had been there – with the drought planting a new lawn would be unthinkable, if not illegal.  I doubt those bushes or the roses meet the new drought tolerant standards.

Looking for inspiration I found myself examining local front yards.  Some people had resorted to a very passable artificial turf while others had opted for the unattractive gravel alternative.  Neither of those options appealed to me.  I went to a succulent show at the Arboretum and tried to get inspired but honestly nothing wowed me.  That is until a visit to Disneyland where they’ve replaced many of the old plants and trees with new drought tolerant varieties – some that I would be happy to see in my front yard – see what you think…

         

Then while walking around the block at work I saw this lovely plant  (my photo doesn’t do it justice) which I can easily see replacing the hedges at the front of the house…

     

Now I’m excited to see what a professional might come up with!  A co-worker which exquisite taste recommended Environmental Design Studio Los Angeles.  Their website was resplendent with photos from jobs that could have been featured in Architectural Digest.  I doubt my little house project would interest them but it can’t hurt to call.

Bring on the rain and let’s green up Los Angeles!  My soon to be new plants need the nourishment.

Rising from the ashes

I expected my next house related post would involve gushing over the completion, finally, of the drawn out renovations.

Unfortunately, this post couldn’t be further from that.

Just over a week ago I was summoned to my home to find it charred and crawling with firemen. The fire that turned my house into a smoldering, blackened mess was out when I arrived but Fire Station 60’s hoses continued to douse the roofless house while intrepid firemen walked on charcoal beams to remove the remnants of the burnt roof.

The interior of the house is a total loss.  The house itself is in tact enough that I won’t need to rebuild it from the ground up, just from the roof down.

I’m currently living in a nearby apartment on a short team lease awaiting the results of various inspections to learn what will be salvaged and what will need to be replaced.

To say that my insurance company, Liberty Mutual, has been supportive would be a major understatement.  I’d never been a fan of insurance companies.  I begrudgingly forked over my premiums expecting nothing in return.  This experience has been so much better than I could ever have imagined.  They are looking out for my interests, not theirs.  I’m certain it helps that I was in no way responsible for the fire.  I’m certain that the roofing company whose employees caused the fire isn’t getting the same love from their insurance company.

It took a few days for me to process everything but I finally feel that I’m back on my feet.  I wouldn’t wish this on anyone but when all is said and done I will have a fully renovated home and the fire will be just a foot note.