Front Yard Change Up

We knew we wanted to redo our front planting beds this summer, so when our friends were over I asked if we could borrow their truck some time. The truck arrived in our driveway the next day. So, we had to get our butts in gear. :)

When we moved in, there were rocks lining the beds. I liked the rocks, but I didn't like the shape of the beds or how the rocks were lined up like little soldiers.

So first we pulled up the rocks and moved them around until we settled on a tumbled rock wall looking motif.

We were going to make different heights and more curves. The area behind the "walls" was filled in with dirt, but before that we had to dig out some of the grass. And by we, I mean...

Yes, Matt did the digging.

 And the shoveling, and the planting, and the mulching. Where the heck was I?!

Actually, I kind of forget. I think I had stuff to do at school and with the kids, so Matt did all the heavy labor. I just popped in to say where stuff should go and how it should look.

Anyways. The changes in elevation are not huge, and in the pictures it's hard to even tell for sure.

We planted begonias where the rocks and ground sloped down. Those we bought from a fundraiser for Chi's preschool and that was $15. But I'm not really counting that since it was for a good cause. I mean other than my yard.

We bought two hostas and two Autumn Joy sedum from a garden club plant sale for another $15.

Those little guys in front of the rocks are sedum.

The new hostas are on the left and the hostas on the right were just divided to fill out the space.

And finally, a Japanese barberry for $4.

That's the little one in the middle. It has burgundy leaves.

The rest of our plants were pulled from places where they weren't thriving or were able to be divided. 

The azaleas were on the side of the house and they were dying, but they like better here.

So pre-mulch we only spent $34 if you count the begonias. Which we aren't.

We went with black mulch. I love how it makes all the colors pop. Plus it reminds me of the way rich Iowa soil looks. I miss that soil!

We buy mulch in bulk at a local landscape supplier. Hence the need for a truck. You were wondering, weren't you?

We also mulched in our backyard, so we needed 3 cubic yards. That amounted to $100. It would have cost about $50 more to go buy the bagged stuff at a home improvement store. (That's 30% off.) I know you need access to a truck, but it's worth it if you have access to one.

The weigelas in the center look a bit sad. They were transplanted from our neighbor's yard and they did not care much for the move. But they are slowly starting to come back, so we are holding out for awhile longer on those. Keep your fingers crossed!
 

So...That's the yard. Better, right? 

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Curb Appeal

We have a cute little ranch house, not my preferred architectural style, but I'm embracing it.

The curb appeal needed some assistance though.

This was taken in the spring so not all the hostas and lilies are in yet.

The cream color wasn't offensive, but it just kind of washed out. I'm not so much a fan of the brown trim and door either. The numbers were really tiny and a very old style.

One annoyance was that while I didn't like the original mailbox, I loved that it was on the house. We move in and then the post office says we have to move it down to ground level, but near the porch. It's hard to make that look good!

Here's a couple pictures of the transition. We painted, but still needed to do more planting.

I didn't blur the 0 to give you an idea of the style of numbers.

So here it is now:

I repainted it a green with gray undertones. It just pairs with the brick color better. The door went black, the numbers are bigger and more modern, and I added some decorative touches.

I found a great mailbox that is designed for this type of placement. I lucked out because they are typically special order and pretty pricey, but this was marked down because someone returned it.

I also scored lots of mature plants from my master gardener neighbor. She was changing things up in her yard and offered not only to give me 3 roses, 2 shrubs and 2 hollies, but also gave advice as to where to put them. I'm so lucky. :)

We plan to repaint the soffits a charcoal gray so that there is no more brown, but it's not that noticeable right now and we are running out of steam for outdoor projects right now. I'd love some window boxes and to change the front walkway. In my dreams I add a small pergola to the front porch, but that's just a dream for now.

For now, I kick back in that chair, watch the kids play, and enjoy my not-bland house.

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Curb Appeal my Door

All of our trim is brown, and the door. 

After taking down the screen, but before painting. Forgot a true before picture.

I'm not a fan. I've hinted that we are doing some full on curb appeal around here, but these things take time.

I did tackle the door situation already. We have a screen door as well. Someday I would love to replace both doors, but it's not in the budget right now.

I went with black. We took the screen off and I spray painted it.

First with Krylon Gloss and then because I ran out and the store I choose did not carry Krylon, I finished with Rustoleum Gloss Black. (I don't like going to multiple stores. I'm not a "shopper." And I never remember who carries what.)

For the door, it is also gloss black. I used Rustoleum's Painter's Touch Gloss Black quart.

It's is near the spray paint at Home Depot. The paint guy told me it is better for pure black than anything he can mix. It is really good.

Here's before:

And After:

And here it is from the outside.

Massively reflective this morning!

All I can say is paint never ceases to amaze me! I know it makes a difference, but I went from loathing my doors to feeling good about it.

This post may be linked at the following parties (for their Blog Buttons see my Link Love page): (M) Mad Skills , C.R.A.F.T., Amaze Me Monday, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Singing Three Birds,  Masterpiece Mondays, Making the World Cuter, Sarahndipities, A Little Birdie Told Me (T) Stories of A to Z, The Blackberry Vine, How To's Day , Type A, Amaze Me August, Ten Buck Tuesday, Handmade Tuesdays, Anything Related, Tuesday's Treasures, Strictly Homemade, Show Me What Ya Got, Time to Shine, Show Off Your Crafty Side (W) Wow Me,  Workshop Wednesday, Whassup Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Look What I Made, What I Whipped Up, The Trendy Treehouse, Wicked Awesome Wednesday , Good Life Wednesday, Inspiring Creativity, Sweet Peas & Bumblebees (TH) Beyond the Picket Fence  Creative Juice, Somewhat Simple, Thrifty 101 , Smilemonsters , Everything But the Kitchen Sink, Shabby Chic Cottage, Thrifty Thursdays, House of Hepworth's, Thrilling Thursday, (F) Fingerprints on the Fridge, Furniture Feature Friday, SevenThirtyThree , Lovely Crafty Weekend , Simply Designing, Creative Corner, Tickled Pink 504 Main, Inspiration Friday at The Picket Fence, Friday Flair, Remodelaholic, For the Kids Fridays, Frugal Friday, Craft Goodies, I'm Lovin' It, Flaunt It Fridays (Sat) Tatertots and Jello , Anything Goes (Sun) Creative Blog & Hop, Sundae Scoop, Under the Table and Dreaming