S + F.... Spring Fever!

Spring has sprung in Boston.  It is great.  With warm weather means that it is time to enjoy our backyard and ... it is not quite ready.  I have talked endlessly here, here and here... about the fact that our yard is "ghetto".  It is an utter nightmare and no I am not exaggerating!  It is a small yard... but with potential- if we only knew what the heck we were doing!

Here are some cool, small backyard inspiration photos!

Here is what is on our "wish list":

- Cozy patio area with build in benches

- Shrubs- easy to maintain (impossible to kill) that look good year round

- Landscaping that has highs and lows (tall things to soften fence and low flowers/shrubbery

- Shed (get rid of our old shed and build a smaller more aesthetically pleasing replacement)

- Firepit (husband request.... I am on the fence with this one)

- Expansive (for our small yard) and soft and plush grass

- Small planter box for some herbs and a few veggies

That is a long list...hunh?  Well, we never take the easy route around here.  We are hoping to start this project next week... so stay tuned!

Until next time....xoxo

 

B is for Backyard.... still dreaming!

Yes, I have mentioned the current state of our backyard many a times like here.  We were hoping to make some serious process this summer, but .... with the heat, a baby on the way and limited resources that did not happen.  There is always next summer.  We did do a lot of demolition this summer, but rebuilding and planting did not really progress too far forward!


In the meantime, I keep photos of all the backyards and patio spaces that inspire me.  Someday..... I dream.... I will have a perfect backyard!

Here is some more of my inspiration from the "Courtney Files"!

(Sorry I don't have sources, these were saved a while ago onto my computer.)

Do you watch the show Yard Crashers?  I love that show and always dream that Ahmed Hassan will come save my backyard!  Ahmed.... I am waiting!  Pretty please?  We are your perfect candidates!

Until next time.......xoxo

P is for Painted Pots for Patio!

So, I finally got my husband to transplant the ugly bushes that were linking our patio area.  My husband who sometimes lacks vision fought me hard on this one.  I told him to trust me.  I had a plan.  He was worried our patio would have no "life".... I told him I will give it better life!

Once we figure out the planting situation in the backyard (color schemes in particular), I want to paint terra cotta pots that coordinate and put on edge of patio!  I think this will bring not only life but some much need oomf and color!

Check out these inspiration photos from my design file.  

(Don't remember where I got most of them.)

This is from Martha Stewart.  Only Martha could do something this awesome! :)

Pretty, pretty patio.... someday!  Until next time...xoxo

P is for Patio!

So, I have mentioned many many times that this summer is the year of the "Backyard".    This will be a third summer in our house and the time has come to deal with the disaster that is back there.  We have made some progress this year.  Still too much of a disaster to share, but we are on it!

We have done some work on the patio area! Even thought I don't have an after picture yet, this is our before!  Ugly furniture, dirty pavers, rotting fence and overgrown shrubs!

Whoever did our patio put in the pavers upside down.  The textured side which should be down in the dirst was facing up and had collected dirt and moss over the years.  We flipped them over and it looks like a whole new patio!  Check it out for yourself!

We also have ripped out rotting fence and bad shrubs!  The husband has been hard at work!

With pavers now in place I have really wanted a new patio dining table, but I was not willing to spend a lot!  My mom and our next door neighbor, "the landscape goddess" came to the rescue!  They found the most amazing black wrought iron chairs at Costco for $20.  Yes, that is right $20.  My mom called me from Costco and texted me photos, I said "$20 .....buy 6!"  When she dropped them off, I was amazed that they were such great quality for such a small price.   She said women were hording them at Costco waiting for the husbands to come help them carry them out.  Funny!

 Later, she found a matching loveseat and bought me, my sister and her one of those as well, $40!

Now that I had 6 amazing chairs and a adorable loveseat, I was on a mission to buy table and finish that part of the yard!  The husband and I with 20% off coupon in hand hit the Ann and Hope Outlet and bought this table for $160.    The chairs they had to go with the table were $100 bucks each.  I totally feel like I won the lottery with my $20 chairs!  Thanks again mom!!!!

So, with a patio set complete we can map out the rest of our plans!  There is planting to do, planter boxes to make, benches to build and so much more!  As you can see it is still in construction mode.  Stay tuned!

Hopefully someday I will have a great patio living space like one of these!

More landscaping work to do..... much more!  Until next time!  xoxo