Excavation of the Yard

An exciting day as I ran from window to window taking photos of all the work being done in the yard. First, they scrape up all the ugly overgrowth, dead roots and vines, and save occasional perennials. Next: Ugly ass driveway goes! Excavate for back yard patio! This is fun.

So far, we're loving these guys.

Lots of digging

Look at that gorgeous dirt

What a difference! The yard looks enormous.

Front yard at the end of the day. Saved plants by the wall

Can't wait for tomorrow!

Decisions on hardscapes. We have a window sill!

A major part of our landscaping plan involves a patio in the back yard, and totally redoing the broken down, ugly-ass driveway.

Some choices for both the patio and the driveway. Leaning toward the bluestone on the left (at the edge of the porch) for the back yard patio.

More choices. Top middle for driveway pavers. Thinking all three sizes, in that pattern, will look great.

Even more choices! My landscape designer, who I really like, is not like my kitchen and bath designer who knows me so well that he only brought a few choices on everything.

From the bottom of the driveway looking toward the road. It is all torn up, with lots of dirt. 

Our first window sill! This is a new window, but even the replacement windows had all the trim and window sills taken off.

Window sills first, then the rest of the trim

The Yard

So, we started thinking about landscaping over the winter. Minimum lawn, please. We began by saying I can deal with the small area in the front of the house (plantings, mulch, ground cover). Maybe throw down some grass seed.

See that sandy area in front of the sun porch? That's where the porta porty sat for 5 months.

Then, there was an Angie's List special: Landscape Design on one section of your yard for a really really good price. We thought we could use lots of help in the back yard, and a landscape designer from Weston Nurseries came out. At least he didn't laugh right in our faces. And while we decided not to use them for installation, he gave us some good ideas.

That white chalk line is the perimeter of the patio. Apparently, a patio and stone retaining wall is called "hardscaping."

There will be steps from the patio down to the lawn.

Mulch and perimeter plantings along the ugly fence.

Patio will go close to the tree; all the area under the back porch and stairs will be enclosed.

And, of course, something we thought we would put off. A new driveway. Pavers. What can I say? They gave us a good deal. AND they're grading and seeding the front, too. I'm OK with that. 

Herringbone pattern pavers for driveway. This is what it looks like now. Isn't that lovely?


Hopefully, we get a schedule for this this week!

Closets and Shelves. Master Bath. The End is in Sight. Just Quite Not Here Yet.

So, we turned the fourth bedroom into a closet/dressing room area and fabulous master bath. Sans finish molding, this is almost all done. There used to be a closet with 2 openings: one in what is now Connor's room and one in the master bedroom.

We walled off the master bath entry and now Connor has a custom closet, for his 3 t-shirts and pants.

Floor of the walk in shower. Granite on the sides.

Granite countertops of the shower enclosure

Another view

Gorgeous.

Loving this shoe rack, but need a few more shelves

My boots look SO pretty.

This tile guy is adding cherry shelves to Connor's closet. This is leftover cherry from the big wall unit we had in our old house. The tile/closet guy can't bear to waste a thing.

Master closet in progress

A Favorite Poster Goes Up, An Old Piece Is Repurposed, Can You Say Closet

Well, we were ready to measure and order for window blinds (yup, there is still nothing on the windows) but were told the "window stops" have to be in place first. I had never even heard of window stops before, but apparently they are the pieces of wood that surround the window, underneath the molding.

So, meanwhile some other stuff is happening.

Master closet is just about ready for installation. The color is not orange, but a nice cream. See next photo.

Painter at work. Entrance to the master closet.

Hoping to have installation done this week.

We didn't think we could fit this piece into the house. It was in our dining room. We no longer have a dining room.

Took the coat rack out, put the china cabinet in. I think it looks great. 

An antique desk from Steve's parents house goes on the landing.

I can't wait til all the walls are painted to hang stuff. This is beside my desk. Where else would it be?

One Year

Exactly one year ago, we laid our eyes on what was going to be our next house. I knew it the minute I pulled up out front. It's been frustrating, annoying, overwhelming and a lot of fun. And we're not done yet!

Wine rack ready for the holidays

Christmas pasta. First batch to be made here.

Christmas table

Christmas morning

And again

And again

Christmas ravioli

Brunch set up

Yes, I know how crooked this photo is.

My new normal

We still have no idea if this fireplace works or not.