Outdoor Spaces
Front Entry - Before
Classic black shutters and front door along with outdated brass exterior lighting didn't give much curb appeal to our house. The traditional landscaping, including formally-shaped boxwoods lacked a more casual and welcoming farmhouse feel. The narrow path formed with stone pavers was barely wide enough to accommodate guests (but don't worry, they were salvaged for another project). We certainly had a quite a list of outdoor projects ahead of us.
Front Entry - After
Painting the front door in a more welcoming and vibrant teal color and adding rustic, yet sweet, plant stands on either side increased the charm we were looking for. Swapping the outdated lighting for an oil-rubbed bronze fixture brightens the porch for guests. Softening the landscaping with farmhouse-appropriate hydrangeas and less formal plantings provide an inviting path along the widened curved concrete walkway.
Rear Deck - Before
Although the front of our house was traditional in style, the rear deck seemed to lack style continuity. The expanse of wood railings made views from interior windows nearly impossible to see through. Early on, we had to remedy some dangerous elements of the deck including a built-in bench that could have made for a steep drop-off as well as a staircase that led you under the deck rather than into the yard.
Rear Deck and Patio -
Today
Beyond relocating our stairs, we brought farmhouse style to our deck by updating the railings (yes we drilled nearly 1000 holes for new black spindles) and staining the wood structure white. Adding landscaping near the widened staircase creates a welcoming entry onto our deck. With nearby access from our driveway and multiple entry points into the house, our rear deck is perfect for hosting gatherings.
Remember those stone pavers from the old front walkway? They were repurposed for our newly carved out patio - luckily we had just the right amount to make a spacious patio area. Adding the hardscape allows for a clean walkout from our lower level, while eliminating a muddy trail, and we just love this amazing reuse of materials!
Storage Shed - Before
An under-utilized storage shed on our property was in sad shape (yuck!), yet we saw potential for it to become a play space for our children (crazy, right?). My husband had his doubts, as he was adamant that we should just burn the poor thing down. Lots of imagination and coaxing was necessary here! Moving the shed to its new location in our yard was the first order of business - we had to build a rig to pull the shed with our tractor to it's new location. Boy, was that a fun day! With Dad's handiwork, we added a small porch and made sure the structure was level (and pest-proof).
Playhouse - After
After some serious scrubbing, patching and painting, all that was needed was a galvanized aluminum roof laid over the existing shingle roof. A sweet peekaboo window set in the new door, child-size farmhouse furniture and a few fun accents created the perfect play spot for our kids and their friends.
At long last under a canopy of green, we are constructing a treehouse for our kiddos! Using salvaged wood from a previously torn down fence, we have designed and constructed a fun hideaway on our property. New posts secured into the existing tree trunks and into the ground are clad with 1"x4" boards. We topped the enclosed portion of the treehouse with galvanized aluminum corrigated panels for an easy-clean roof. A ship's ladder allows access to the structure. String lights adorn the treehouse for a cozy hiding spot in the leaves!
Treehouse - Today
