Friday, January 16, 2009

Blocks #5 and #6

Because these next two blocks seem to have a common theme, I am going to talk about both in the same post.

Our neighborhood is lucky to have an eclectic mix of residents who personalize their homes in different ways. This variety in styles, colors, decorations, landscape and architectural features is part of the uniqueness that differentiates Blenman-Elm from some of the newer Tucson subdivisions. Walking through the neighborhood, you will not come across the same house twice. This lends visual interest that is much more stimulating than if most of the houses were the same. There is something new to discover around every corner.

For example, residents here take great pride in personalizing their entryways...
...with unique gates or doors...
...or interesting landscape features...

Color is also a great characteristic of Blenman Elm. People here use bright colors as accents to their homes or to paint the entire home....

Periwinkle...

...and deep red-umber are just a few of the vibrant shades that make up our neighborhood.
On a side note, I've dreamt of living in a neighborhood where everyone plants fruit trees in their front yard and we all share in the harvests. This house's orange tree is one step in that direction.

And, on the northeast corner of block 6, this estate has often been a bit mysterious to me, with it's deep setback and grand appearance. It looks as if it has been here from the start of the neighborhood, as it sits on a much larger parcel than most of the other homes. What's more, their yard is an amazing wildlife habitat, with dense, thorny cover and many native species.


It would be great to hear from the residents...what is your favorite thing about living in the Blenman Elm neighborhood?

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Blocks 5 to 7

Blocks 5 to 7 are a combination of two residential blocks and Saint Peter and Paul Catholic school. It is bordered on the west by Campbell Avenue across from the University Medical Center.

**It's been a long time since I have posted to the Block by Block project and I appologize. My work load is really picking up with my thesis, so I suspect that it will be a bit harder to find time to post. I am going to try to post at least once a week from now on...more if I can fit it in.

Hope that you still come around and leave comments!