Planning a Backyard Makeover
It’s here! The start of the Spring 2021 One Room Challenge!
We are ready to start planning a backyard makeover. Or, at least, the best we can do to enjoy our outdoor space with weather brought to us here in the Chicago area.
The Before
We\’re going WAYYY back for this one. We bought this home eight years ago as a foreclosure that had been on the market for about nine months. That means, no one had tended to the backyard for probably a year.
By the time we bought, it was the middle of summer, and this was a wall of overgrowth.
The stamped concrete patio was surrounded by this lattice fencing, which was covered with trumpet vine. Lots of privacy, but it was just a mess. By the time we purchased the house in June, the overgrowth took weeks to try to alleviate.
You can actually see the house without all the fencing & overgrowth!
Scott ripped out the vines, which went 20+ feet across the yard–underground. He took down the lattice fencing, and it really opened up the patio.
Year Two
For Mother’s Day 2014, I wanted a garden. Of course, Dexter thought it was his own personal construction zone.
It was wonderful…for a few good years. Fresh veggies and herbs all summer. The last couple of years, however, it has turned into an eyesore that only produced a small harvest of tomatoes. So, this year, we’ve decided to say goodbye to the garden.
The Backyard Makeover
The garden took up a huge area, right next to the shed, under one of our trees. With it gone, we could create a patio area to relax. So, of course, one of the first things we did was to rip out the garden. When I say “we,” I mean Scott did the work, and I took pictures.
Goodbye garden–and all sorts of “stuff” that has collected over the last two years.
Junk Removal
Due to other renovations, our backyard had begun to collect “stuff” for the past couple of years. Turns out, you can get rid of a lot of your unused treasures on Marketplace.
Did I tell you how I’ve been collecting old windows to build a greenhouse? Posted them, and “poof” they were gone. The windows–and all sorts of stuff we don’t need anymore. We’ve been decluttering for awhile now, including the kids’ playhouse and picnic table. Sounds mean, but it’s been quite awhile since I gave those away, and they HAVEN’T EVEN NOTICED.
The Inspiration
Enough talk about the current state of things. How about we get to the inspo? I want to create an area with coverage, comfy furniture and a chance to sit by the fire with cocktails.
The only guarantee from this mood board is the fig tree, at this point. But, this is what we are starting with. I want a simple fire pit or a chiminea. Scott wants a full blown, outdoor, stone-encased fireplace because he’s a living, breathing version of the word “hyperbole.” And, I love how he reaches for the stars every time!
Time will tell. But, from where we are starting, it’s only going to improve the yard. Check back in with me to see what we get done in the coming weeks! Watch our progress on Instagram.
