Sunday, June 1, 2014

Projects 6, 7 & 8

It was hard to separate Projects 6, 7, and 8 because they are all in the same area and overlap somewhat, so I decided to put them all together in one post.  These three projects include, painting the door and shutters black, replacing the soil and shrubs in the garden bed leading up to my front entry, and installing a dry stack stone apron under the front porch.  I took a week of vacation to work on these projects rather than drag them out over a month of weekends and I'm so glad I did, since I no sooner finished with them when I broke my foot, and all projects have come to a halt since then.
Lets start with before pictures.  Here is the house in early spring.  Notice the dead ivy beds that needed pruning to the ground.  That alone was a major project.
 
 
And here is the house after I painted the shutters and door black.  I personally love the black and wonder why it took me so long to do it.  Thankfully the ivy is starting to grow back and looking much better.  You may notice the dog in the window in both pictures.  That is Moby sitting on the back of the sofa.  We call this window his "wide screen TV".  This is where he watches the world go by.


I also painted the wrought iron chairs and several other iron accessories beside the garage to complete the look.


Now for the shrubs.  The ones that I had were there for years and became a little scrawnier every year.  I couldn't even grow annuals in this ground.  


Pitiful, right?  My plan was to dig out all this dead dirt and replace it with nice new soil, but to my dismay, the ground was full of roots of all sizes.  So, plan two was to dig the deepest, widest holes I could manage and fill it with new soil for the new shrubs.  For the annuals, I dug a trench to give them a fighting chance.


Then I planted green and white euonymus for the shrubs and alternating white petunias and pink zinnias in front of them.  Unfortunately the zinnias didn't survive, so I replaced them with impatiens, which are doing much better.
 
 
Such a nice difference.
Lastly, I wanted to do something different under the sides of the porch.  I've been thinking about this for years.  For a long time I was going to put lattice here, but then I decided to do a small dry stack stone wall to add more charm and make the house look older.  Here is the before with the scrawny shrub and algae.


And here is the after.


I love the changes I made and all the hard work was so worth it because I find myself smiling every time I go outside.  Now, everything just needs a fresh coat of paint to complete the look.  Maybe by the end of the summer when I can use my foot more.
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Linking with
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Mod Vintage Life for Mod Mix Monday
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Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
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Domestically Speaking for Inspire Me Monday
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French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

27 comments:

eileeninmd said...

I love these makeovers. You did a good job with all the projects you wanted done.. You have a lovely home. Have a happy week!

Anonymous said...

Mom, the house looks AMAZING!!!! I can't wait to finally see it in person! Also, I love the Moby in the second picture...the light is shining just right on him and he looks adorable! Love the black!! It looks so good :)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I adore you home, it looks so pretty and the changes are amazing.

JoAnne said...

Wow, Cindy ~ it all looks so pretty. I just love your house and the black looks amazing. We have a cape cod style house as well and we have been working on our landscaping ~ such hard work but well worth it!

June said...

Cindy, this is such a beautiful transformation! I love the black! You have worked so hard and it sure shows. I am so sorry about your broken foot though. That is awful to have happen this time of year (or anytime of year for that matter) I hope it heals fast!!!!
sending hugs...

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Wow, what a difference! The black shutters and door really give your home a classic look. And I love the stacked stone too! Nicely done!

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Everything looks beautiful Cindy!! Hope your foot heals quickly!

Anonymous said...

What an incredible difference a little paint makes! And then the next plants and the pretty stone enclosure, it really looks beautiful. You did a great job. Sorry to hear about your foot, though! Heal fast!
Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com
History & Home link party, Tue-Fri

Trish @TheOldPostRoad said...

Love it! Details, details - can sure make a difference.

Connie in Hartwood said...

Sorry about your foot. I had to look back and forth at your before and after photos with the black shutters ... what a huge, wonderful improvement. Brings out all sorts of character in the front of your house!

With your lousy soil .... it can improve over time if you work organic material into it. At the end of the season, when you remove the annuals, add compost. I make my own the lazy way, by letting a heap of chopped fall leaves decompose till spring. This gets worked into the soil. Unless there's something truly toxic in your soil, replacing it with something commercial isn't the answer.

Decor To Adore said...

Wow! Talk about curb appeal! Yours has shot through the roof. Bravo!

La Vie Quotidienne said...

This all looks great! What a fabulous difference. Your house is so charming, just like a picture book.

http://decoratedchaos.blogspot.com said...

I love what you have done with your yard What a cute house!

My Garden Diaries said...

Your house is the most charming house ever!!! I am serious friend....I LOVE IT!!!!!! And the black is so very perfect...oh my goodness! You rocked this!!!! What a great job and the stacked stone looks perfect there as do your beds! You blew me away with this one Cindy! Happy week to you friend! Nicole xoxo

the cape on the corner said...

that is absolutely beautiful and adorable. the black shutters really give it some more character. love it.

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

I admire your vision almost as much as I admire all your hard work! Love those shutters in black. Your house is a little jewel. And I love your beautiful tidy gardens. The rock border under your porch is just full of charm. So sorry about your foot! I guess you will have to take it a little easier for awhile. I bet that's hard for you! We have high nineties this week, but it feels much different in the west with the dry air. Nope, it's not for you...

20 North Ora said...

The black sure makes your house pop! Love the stacked stone on the sides. Great job!

Judy

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

Your home is charming! I love the changes you made.

Linda P said...

I hope your foot is healing well. You can sit and enjoy all your hard work that's been done over your week off on the exterior of your lovely house and in the garden. I do like to see your style of house - love the wood and the picket fences, the porch and the way you decorate your front door with a wreath. Beautiful!

Unknown said...

The black shutters and door are yummy. Love the flag and picket fence.
Traci

Cecilia said...

I love the changes! The door and shutters look amazing and love the rock wall. What a bummer to break your foot. I hope you heal quickly.

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Cindy this looks AWESOME - wow what a huge huge difference!

I am so glad you were able to do this. You completely gave your adorable home an amazing tranformation - it sure has curb appeal now! : - )

Stacey said...

Your cottage is adorable! Your flower bed will be fine. The dirt must be good if you have all the roots and things in there. :)

Linda at French Hollow said...

What a lovely home you have! I know how difficult it is to work 40 hours and get done all the things we want to do at home. You are doing a beautiful job - especially with a foot injury! I'm your newest follower.
Blessings, Linda

Unknown said...

Hi Cindy, love your charming cape cod - one of my favorite home styles. All of your choices turned out beautiful! Lovely!
Sally @cottagefix

Unknown said...

Love the stacked stone on the porch and I recently pinned an image of a house that was stained black (I live in a coastal environment where all the houses are on stilts and finished with cedar shakes). Black always looks classy to me!

Unknown said...

Love the stacked stone on the porch and I recently pinned an image of a house that was stained black (I live in a coastal environment where all the houses are on stilts and finished with cedar shakes). Black always looks classy to me!

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