In September, we are recognizing the home of Cathy and Rich O’Sullivan at 6415 Steer Trail. Cathy and Rich have been part of our neighborhood for a little over 2 years. Since moving in they have done extensive work on both the house and the yard. Rich describes both as a “work in progress” – he still has plans to add cedar fencing on both sides of the house to match the cedar columns added to the front, add stone edging and continue to add native plants to the yard. Cathy describes their efforts as a continuous experiment to discover that will grow in the Texas sun. They are off to an amazing start!
One of the factors that drew them to the house was the old, magnificent live oak tree in the back – it towers over the house and yard! With the goal of attracting owls, Rich built a house that attracted an owl family last year. As you can tell from the picture, it has a new resident who seems to be making himself very much at home.
Since moving in they have created defined beds and added planters bordering the front and side. Rich built the metal planter in the front as his first welding project. (He says you can learn to do anything by watching You Tube!) It is filled with foxtail ferns with a touch of color from the vinca plantings on each end. The large pot came with the house and was painted to blend with the other landscaping. It is filled with asparagus ferns, flanked by more native plants and succulents, and accented with driftwood. . Across the front, you will also see bamboo muhly and the metal rain chain. The entire yard is a blend of native grasses and succulents with several areas accented with colorful annuals.
As part of the remodeling on the house, Rich took out the fireplace. After first putting the stone outside to give away, they decided to keep it and get creative – the stone facings became the border for the beds in the front.
Cathy and Rich met when skydiving and they have brought this sense of adventure to the projects in their house and yard. You may see them out working on new beds, building new fencing, or catch sight of Rich on his scooter with their French Bulldog, Rupert, along for the ride.
Along with the recognition as Yard of the Month, they receive gift certificates from Leaf Landscape, Klingemann’s Car Care Center, D’Lites Ice Cream , and Cypress Grill.
Drive by, say hello, and get inspired by their hard work and creativity.
