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August 31, 2009

It’s coming together!

ButterflyHi everyone! It’s time for a report on our front yard hardscaping project!!

Because our work is all about transforming our hideous front yard from a scraggly, dark, unsafe and just downright UGLY plot of land to an inviting, well groomed front-yard oasis (okay… I’m exaggerating my ability to keep plants alive!)… this report is a perfect fit for Susan’s Between Naps on the Porch “Metamorphosis Monday” blogparty!

If you’ve been following along you’ll remember that our front yard used to look like this:

[16Feb08] Exterior 1 DSC01606

The above two photos show the horrible hedge that we removed last summer and the mega-cedar that we removed earlier this summer.

Below: excavating the front (removing the stump was only one part of that excavation) and the beginning of our first retaining wall.

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I had to share this photo… in an early yard project update I shared that our cat, Scotty, supervises everything my husband does out in the yard. Here he is testing out the quality of Brian’s top-cap placement!

It makes sense that Scotty would supervise… this area is, after all, “Scotland’s Yard”!

 

And now, some photos showing you where we’re at as of this morning…

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This is the third wall… Brian will be finishing the last row across the curve and then he’ll lay bricks across the front (below the stairs) to finish off the wall.

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I love how the stairs are turning out!! As you can see, we curved the walls of the first set of stairs so that they invited people up… the second set of stairs is more simple.

Wee set-back… we’ve run out of the darker grey top-caps!! Trip to the landscape store…

DSC02539And finally… the walls face on. I think it’s going to look FANTASTIC once we have the yard landscaped! We’ll plant what we can before we move into winter – and I’ll share photos of that part of our project as we progress – but I’m sure we’ll have to wait until next summer for it to look really terrific… you know, with plantings growing in and filling out.

Anyway… thanks for dropping by and checking out our retaining wall progress! Next time I report in, we’ll be puzzling together our paved walkway. It’s never ending!!

Be sure to make your way back to Susan’s blog, Between Naps on the Porch, and visit other Met Monday participants… and we’ll see you back here at DesignTies another day!!

sigv

15 comments:

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

It's coming along great, Victoria! What a difference just in what you've accomplished so far; you must both be really pleased with it. I can't get over how the removal of the bushes, tree and leveling the ground made a difference!

Tricia said...

Wow- what a huge and incredible job you've undertaken. Great results! You much be very proud.
Happy Monday.

Caroline said...

You have really come a long way! The stairs look wonderful, beautiful masonry work.

J.Covington said...

Ya'll must've eaten a lot of spinach - that's was a slew of work! OK, I'll pop the balloon now. I loved the before and after...looks great! Can't wait to see it finished.

Christy said...

Looking good Victoria! Can't wait to see the finished product - you're going to just LOVE coming home when it's done, aren't you?!

Unknown said...

Victoria,

Wow it's shaping up! Kind of a feminine and masculine look with the brick and the straight planter and curved planter. I think if looks terrific!

Bette

Michelle said...

Wow, it's really coming along Victoria!! I wish I had one of those DIY husbands!

I've been thinking that we haven't gotten together since the brunch...how's the next week look for you?

Best,
Michelle

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Wow, What a lot of back aching work. Bless the guy who did it all. Give him a beer!
It looks lovely~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Lauren said...

VICTORIA!!! i love it!!!! cannot wait to see it once that landscaping's in!!!!

Its So Very Cheri said...

It's looking better and better every time.

I hope you will come by for a visit.
Cheri
Its So Very Cheri

Diane Schuller said...

Wow, that is really coming along! I am impressed with your husband's talent but even more with his dedication to such a difficult job! Bravo, kudos, and hand clapping all at once!

Kat said...

Wow Victoria, this looks fantastic! I love the combination of curved and straight walls. My back hurts in sympathy, but the results are gorgeous! Don't forget, when it's too cold there to work in the yard, it's the perfect temp here, so if ya'll want to come down and do ours... Can't wait to see the landscaping in. Kathy (PS - love the shot of Scotty)

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

That looks like a major undertaking! I'm impressed. Can't wait to see how it looks when you're finished!

Danica said...

Wow, that looks amazing, Victoria! I can't imagine taking on a job this big. You and your husband should be very proud of yourselves. :)

amariaf2000 said...

WOW!!! That looks incredible!!!! PS - when I get rich and have you and Kelli come to NC and decorate my house, may I hire your hubby to do the landscaping?!?! :-)
~angela @ peonypatch

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