Outdoor Oasis Before & After

Every time I begin to look through before/after pictures of a project, it becomes my favorite. Can they all be my favorite??? :) Our curb appeal project is one of them - that is for sure!

When we first looked at this house in April, it was still pretty bare after a harsh Iowa winter. You can actually see the entire house from the street. 

Can you see why I fell in love with it instantly? That porch - heart eyes. As we walked up the sidewalk for the first time, I thought to myself 'please let the inside be just as beautiful'. We peaked through the windows, saw the staircase, and knew we were in for a treat :)

Fast forward 2 months... and the curb appeal was a different story.

Trees and bushes are nice when they provide privacy. The east side of our house is not at all visible from the road - which is ideal! However - I wanted to show off our beautiful front porch and the bushes and tree were getting in the way of that.

So the trimming began. It was very exhilarating. 

Phase 1 complete. 

*(Real reason we stopped was because our trimmers weren't doing the job and we didn't yet own a chainsaw.)

Trimming continued - on the north side (back) of the house.

The hidden hoop emerged.

*Insert sad story -- our 120 year old house still had a fuse box when we bought it. Replacing it with a breaker box was a project we wanted done before we moved in. I stopped by to see how it was going, and the electricians explained to be that they needed to cut some of the vines in order to install the meter. It was necessary for the project, but sadly, right where they had to cut was the source for all the vines on the north side of our house. Luke tore the dead ones all down - but we're hoping they grow back!

Phase 2 -- mulch.

Not pictured, Luke and I hating our lives as we pulled up weeds, plants, vines, and anything else annoying you can think of that grows in the ground. We used ground covering to prevent weeds from sticking up through the mulch and secured it with ground staples.

Free mulch!! Not working full time in the summer means loading free mulch alone. Super fun.

Felt like I shoveled forever, and this is what I had. I called it good for load #1.

After many more trips back to the mulch pile....

We kept some of the hostas that were already planted and laid mulch over the ground covering.

I believe this is the time I got a bug bite on my forehead mid wedding week and Luke cut me off from yard work.

Phase 3 --landscaping bricks.

There are some things I am good at - but being patient with things like this is not one of them. Thank goodness for Lukey! He dug a trench, lined up bricks, and they look beautiful!

I, on the other hand, planted some annuals and drank.

At this point - it became "good enough" for the wedding. And it was :)

The wedding, the honeymoon, school started for me, the college started for Luke - needless to say the last month has been busy! We're finally getting into a groove and getting things done around the house again. Last weekend - fall decor made an appearance on the porch!

In love with these blooming mums.

Shutters & lanterns - wedding decor repurposed.

After. 

This is only the beginning of our landscaping projects, but it is a start!

Still not as open as I'd like it, but marriage is all about compromise, right? ;)

Beautiful tree - but I hate it. Sheds bark daily. 

Beauty is pain sometimes.

America.

Hostas everywhere.

Next summer's project...

Next summer's project continued....

*that big bush in the middle is a hydrangea bush and I'm obsessed with it.

Beautiful archway. So much potential!

I envision pots overflowing with flowers on this cart.

Backyard oasis.

I have so many centerpieces for this table - none IA weather resistant.

Patio at night. In love!

Found these 2 at the Becker warehouse last weekend. A little spray paint and they'll be beauties again! Love the shape and we need extra seating outside.

Always more projects to come - but we're happy with our progress thus far.

Thanks for reading! Xoxo