Removing the Ugly: Part 4

Embedding the Gardens

View of all four garden beds in paver surround

One problem with a spring outdoor project is unpredictable weather. Last weekend, the skies opened up minutes after finishing with the bricks (in our last post). Rain continued all week and more rain forecasted into the weekend - challenging our hopes for another productive weekend.

We were anxious about our patio melting away in the rain. However, after 3 days of rain, the water actually compacted all our layers of base and sand into firm form. That was a relief.

Concrete footing to stabilize paver edge

If you look closely, we created a 6'' drop from the top of the paver edge to the ground. We reconciled the drop with a concrete ramp and paver edging (this disparity came from adding paver base to achieve a level paver surface).

Our goal for the weekend was to build, stain and install the raised garden beds. We purchased our lumber from Habitat Re-Store on Saturday, and began building on Sunday.

Thankfully the skies dried up Sunday just in time for painting. We found some water based solid stain that really dries quickly and protects the wood for the long haul.

Becca saved hours using a roller and touching up with a brush

Alec marking the boards for pilot holes

9' pine boards, 8'' tall

We chose a running bond paver pattern for the bricks. They say it's the strongest pattern because every brick has a solid 90º joint closing it in. Also, it requires the least amount of brick cutting, which can really slow down a project at this scale. Splitting bricks is tricky and takes some time and patience.

Running bond paver pattern

With the help of Becca, Alec, a new DeWalt drill and some lucky weekend weather, we are ahead of schedule and ready to fill the garden boxes and brick perimeter with fresh top soil (coming soon). You can surely expect more gardening posts as soon as the dirt lands.

South view of our new paved garden

Removing the Ugly: Part 3

North view of completed patio with pizza to celebrate

South view of brick patio, completed

Bricking it in.

That was the fun part - the part we have been so anxious to finally get to. Well, this weekend, it finally happened. But, we still had to do 1 1/2 days worth of prep before we got there. This included: land tilling and leveling, adding a weed guard layer, adding 3 truckloads of paver base (crushed limestone) and 2 truckloads of sand. All in all, it was an epic weekend. We are ahead of schedule, which never happens. Next steps? reinforce the perimeter of the bricks, and add some garden boxes in the empty areas. Enjoy!

Mapping out the brick grid for garden beds

Smoothing the top coat of brick sand

Compacting the paver base with power tamper

Adding crushed limestone 4" base

Tilling muddy clay to level out north end of patio

Removing the Ugly: Part 2

Original overgrown alley area.

There are some ugly things you don't want to remember. You block them out. You pretend they aren't there. And you definitely hope your friends don't see them. The last thing you would do is take a picture to remember it later.

Luckily for you, I was able to find two pictures of our "ugly." I really don't want to remember what that area was like — it was a literal nightmare. Standing in that old alley for more than a minute made the entire renovation project feel nearly impossible.

Same alley perspective with trees removed.

Alley meeting corner of garage, original.

Alley meeting corner of garage, in progress.

View of retaining wall and new side retaining wall.

Edging closer to the completion of the project, I am glad we have a little proof of its original state. The alley garden project is about 70% complete, but I think 90% of the ugly is already gone.

Removing the Ugly: Part 1

AFTER: Painted Garage

BEFORE: Unpainted Garage

BEFORE: Unpainted Garage

Quite honestly, several small parts of the house are, or were, just plain ugly. Years of neglect and undermaintenance especially mark the back yard area. Weeds, vines, liquor bottles, broken glass, tires, junk, tree stumps — you get the idea.

One day in that old back yard, Becca and I decided to make a small paver base for our grill and trash cans with some left over bricks. As Becca often does with other house updates, once the project was complete, she took a picture and posted it on twitter. To my horror, I saw the picture, which captured more than just our recent paving success. We were advertising our nasty old garage siding to the rest of the world in the same picture, which became an instant motivator to repaint the following weekend.

Needless to say, I asked Becca to post a "fresher" picture of the same area on twitter to show we did not live in a total dump. Latex paint can really work wonders.

One Year

Today is one year since Chris and I closed on our house, which means exactly one year ago today I was standing in our kitchen crying as I tore up the floor and asking myself "What have we gotten ourselves into?"

Fortunately, we have both decided since then that we got ourselves into something wonderful. We have come to absolutely LOVE working on our house, constantly dreaming of what project we'll do next to restore and perfect this beautiful, creaky old house.

So here's to the first of many years, and all the projects yet to come!

Safety First!

Seedlings

It's day 9 since starting the seeds, and we have plants! Our zucchini, cucumber, green beans, lettuces, dill, mammoth sunflower, green onion and basil are taking off.





The rest of the seeds - peppers, onion, rosemary, tomatoes, cilantro, cantaloupe, corn, bashful sunflower and lavender are still cooking. Hopefully they'll start sprouting soon.



We have our built-up retaining wall out back almost completed. Next steps will be to fill with paver base, lay bricks and build the beds!

A New Back Door

What good is a door if it's screwed shut? Not much. Such was the case when we moved in. Having access to the backyard is a pretty great concept the last homeowner failed to appreciate. Thanks to the masterful work of handyman Jeff, Becca's Dad, we were able to replace the back door — and when I say "we" I really mean Jeff alone. Over four full days, he ripped out the existing door, framed and built supports for the new door, installed the door and - by the way - he also reshingled the surrounding exterior wall.

The new door allows great natural light from the rising sun in the morning and a great view into the backyard. We can't be thankful enough. Thanks again Jeff!