Over the summer we started a renovation of our back yard. It started in the middle of July, but the planning and preparation started much earlier. We love the outdoors and spending time in the fresh air. When we moved into this house the back yard left much to be desired so we knew this was something we eventually wanted to do. At our last house we remodeled the backyard and put in a sprinkler system all by ourselves with the help of friends and family of course! This time it was much more intensive work: putting in a cook center and outdoor fireplace, burying electrical lines, patios, etc. and with little Lilly we don't have the time on our hands like we used to so we decided to hire this one out. I can't tell you how exhausting it was. Not physically this time, but relying on others to get things just right isn't easy... and my being a perfectionist didn't help :)! I don't know if I could ever manage another remodel ever again... but it is so good to be done and right in time to enjoy the cooler weather and Lilly's 1st birthday party (more on that soon)!
View when you enter the back yard during the first stages of demolition
future cookcenter
pit for fireplace structure beams and support
future patio
cook center going up
original landscaping... before excavation
We left one crape myrtle and yaupon tree that were healthy... everything else was sick and had to go.
patio and fireplace progress
our yard looked like this for about 2 months. thankfully it was 100+ degrees so we weren't itching to be outside...
*note plants are gone
we had the fences power washed once all the plants were removed and jere restained the fences. you'll notice in the pics below they look so much better now!
laying out the flagstone for the patio
one of the first things we wanted to do was bury these ugly overhead power lines. one- they were an eye sore, and two- once the fireplace went up they were in the way and a safety hazard.
view from the patio
finished cook center... perfect for back yard bbqs!!!
Jere loves a charcoal grill and won the big green egg at an auction a couple of years ago. When we started the design for the cook center he wanted it to be built in as opposed to a gas grill.
Finished fireplace with an antique chimney pot that I found at an antique store.
View from entry with some furniture on the patio and the stone edging and sod installed. Notice the newly stained fences and absence of overhead power lines. All the hardscape is now finished! Now for the landscaping!!!
Here are some before and after landscape pictures.
This one has our new fountain!
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
*Empty area in front of the crape myrtle is for seasonal color like pansies, etc. I haven't planted them yet... still waiting for it to get a little cooler and stay that way.
Before
After
The new entry with an arched arbor and iron gate.
Herb bed with crape myrtle
Close up of one of my favorite areas. I love the Japanese maple I picked out! I can't wait to see what it looks like as the seasons change! The empty spots in front of the fountain and in the triangle next to the patio are also for seasonal color.
Patio with all the furniture, cushions, and umbrella
cozy sitting area
1 comment:
It looks amazing!!!
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