I live in my old child hood home.for 11 years it's been mine (30 year mortgage) partner came on it 8 years ago. I haven't worked for 4 years due to having children. Partner's wage is enough for us right now.
My parents owned this before me and they had high conifers out the front. Nice and private. They also had shrubs and plants. My dad is a keen gardener. Lots of ponds, feature walls. Decking etc. Plants. Boarders.
I must admit I wasn't good at gardening when I was 20 and not interested but now I'm 31 I'm looking for a more grown up feel. My dad's projects have left things in an odd shape. So we've kept it very simple. Pebbles down the boarders. Cut the bit of grass we have. We removed all shrubs.
Partner trims the hedge a couple of times a year. But he's letting it get taller. He likes the greenery he says. Plus the privacy. But I hate it now and feel it limits how modern I can make things.
I want a project. I'm so bluddy bored!! So I would like to put some slate down the boarders. Paint the walls and gates. Hopefully get some pots and hopefully next spring and summer I can have some colour out there. Maybe even a bench. Paint my front door maybe too.
But I can't get him interested. Excuses like the kids being young and slate being sharp. They don't even play out the front alone! It costing money. Etc. The boarders are tiny so it won't be expensive.
He never sorts the weeds or anything either.
So today I decided to get some bleach and scrub the front door etc. Wanted to pressure wash the slabs too. Felt inspired after a walk and seeing some of the little new builds with nice details around the corner.
Tried to talk to him about my visions. Explained this and that. He's just not interested. I said I would trim the hedge. He said he would do it because it's hard work. I'm capable! Then I told him to leave it as I wanted to get stuck in and be positive and I could tell he wasn't interested.
I can't get him to ever take interest but he's also never keen on me starting it. I think it will cost hardly anything if we do it gradually. A tenner for gates. Maybe another tenner eventually to paint the wall. The slate eventually would be about £30 for that small area. Then a few pots etc when we can afford it.
What do you do in this situation? Just never have things how you want them because your partner can't be bothered? Or just wants an ugly hedge nobody can see over. I want some character.
I'm sick of my parents saying how crap it looks too.
Should I just do my own thing or do I have to respect his choices?
Obviously I'll be leaving the hedge.