Décor DIY Home NaBloPoMo Our Home

Front Yard Makeover

One of the reasons why we had to look at this house twice before I agreed to sign my name on the dotted line is  there was a ton of deferred maintenance that needed to be done. You know how the saying goes, ” You can’t see the forest for the trees?” Well I felt like I couldn’t see the house for the same reason. My initial impression of the house was the front yard landscape was going to take a ton of money so my mind kind of shut off at that point.

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I’m not sure what happened here but the neighbors kept telling me that the original owner kept the yard immaculate, however the person we purchased the home from didn’t do much in terms of keeping up with the landscaping so that became our problem. Mr. kept telling me to keep calm he would take care of it in the Spring.

Nawl.

After my complaining and nagging I was happy to look up and see our cousin coming to the rescue to help us start the process of cleaning up the front of the house. We decided to take things into our own hands and do our own DIY Landscape Makeover.

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Believe it or not the majority of those tall “trees” were once bushes that they didn’t keep pruned. Once we got the bushes/trees cut down the roots were so deep we had to rent a stump grinder to get rid of them.

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Please note I am using the term WE lightly cause I just took the photos.

Once the trees were down there was this nasty green film on the house, the stairs and the concrete walkway. The Mr. got out there with the pressure washer and attacked the house and the stairs. Fortunately our next door neighbor owns a pressure washing business and saw him struggling with the sidewalk and came over and did that for us.

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After two weeks of struggling with what to put in the space we decided to wait for my father to come before we decided on what to plant. All together the front of the house was in shambles for about 3 weeks before my dad came to the rescue.

My dad is one of those men who keeps their yard in tip top shape so he had lots of suggestions for us and even footed the bill!!! Hallelujah. Thanks Dad!

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It was a family affair to get our new plants in the ground. The weather was glorious and what an awesome way to spend time together.

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Where was I? I was taking the pictures…Duh. Creating the memories, that is a real job.

Overall I am thoroughly pleased with the outcome. The house seems a little sparse now but I know once the plants start growing it will look really nice.

Before after 2

Those skinny trees will grow to about the roof line and the others will grown into bushes.

Before After 1

I did prune that Japanese Maple..It took a chain saw to get the big branches off. Technically that tree should’ve never gotten that big.

Before After 3

I’ll be back next week with an update on the laundry room makeover.

Have you done any in home makeovers in preparation for fall and winter? Are you good with yard work?

Oh..I’m doing NABLOPOMO again this year. This will be my 4th time participating. I think I’ve only succeeded once. I can do this!

NaBloPoMo November 2013

15 Comments

  • Reply
    Kita
    November 1, 2013 at 4:25 pm

    Looking good I don’t do outside….at all so my yard will always look drab and univiting you would think it would keep people from our house but it doesn’t *sigh* good luck to writing all month I did it twice before and know I won’t be able to commit this year.

  • Reply
    Baby Shopaholic
    November 1, 2013 at 4:28 pm

    Looks nice! I hate yard stuff to. I could care less as long as the grass is mowed. But I like your improvements! I could use a laundry room makeover! Can’t wait to see.

  • Reply
    Law_Fal
    November 1, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    Looks great! The plants will look lovely come spring!

  • Reply
    K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
    November 1, 2013 at 5:31 pm

    It looks fabulous and once those other trees start growing it’s going add even more curb appeal. Thank goodness for family members and neighbors who are willing to be a helping hand!

  • Reply
    Reginia {PoisedinPrint.com}
    November 1, 2013 at 11:10 pm

    This is exactly what I did when I bought my house. I got out there and cut everything down and did away with the red landscape rocks that the previous owner had. A beautiful yard makes things great when arriving home.

    You guys put in work. Loved that it was a family project. I can’t wait to see your total resign.

  • Reply
    Amber
    November 2, 2013 at 12:40 am

    I have nary a green thumb so ya’ll (I mean, A. LOL) get major props from me! It looks great!

  • Reply
    Rosesdaughter
    November 2, 2013 at 7:36 am

    Looking good! I don’t do outside at ALL so for our new house. We just hired a landscaper. I’m just too much of a city girl to ever attempt it!!

    • Reply
      Mimi
      November 4, 2013 at 6:26 pm

      I cut on that tree and that was about it. Once I saw a worm in that dirt I was done with that piece!

  • Reply
    Niecy
    November 2, 2013 at 11:16 am

    Looks great! Gave the house a totally new and fresh look! Great job and yes, capturing the memories is a real job,

    • Reply
      Mimi
      November 4, 2013 at 6:27 pm

      It really did freshen and brighten it up a lot.

  • Reply
    Candace
    November 3, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    It already looks brighter! Thank God for Daddy’s with the checkbook. Love the shot of lil mama getting to work with that shovel lol. Good job capturing the memories

    • Reply
      Mimi
      November 4, 2013 at 6:29 pm

      Ain’t nothing like spending daddy’s money! She was serious about digging a hole. She is a mess.

  • Reply
    Ask Away Friday | Lipgloss & BinkyLipgloss & Binky
    November 8, 2013 at 7:55 am

    […] If you love it now, feel free to show us a picture! I do love it for the feel that it gave the front of the house. In another sense I think it is a bit bare but I know it will fill in after time. Once the spring […]

  • Reply
    Spring Landscape Before and AfterLipgloss & Binky
    March 9, 2015 at 9:41 am

    […] fall we moved in I shared with you here the first stage of the front yard makeover. I knew we would eventually get to the back and side of […]

  • Reply
    gardentips
    April 24, 2018 at 3:16 am

    Great hostess personality! pleasure to watch and learn from. Love the planters and curb appeal created here

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