Before and After of my 'warzone' backyard

15 years ago

I started this project in the Spring. We had discussions here of concrete vs pavers, and I received a lot of food for thought. We decided on the pavers - and after waiting several weeks for a professional design that came in at about twice what we told him we wanted to spend, we began interviewing again. We lost a lot of time, but did find someone who did exactly what he said he would. We are grateful to have found him and very happy with the results. Some of the pix aren't the best because of the sun, but right now is the only chance I have to take pix and post.

Jan-in-Wisconsin, if you are reading, I am including pix of the walkways I dug in. I did all of the landscaping and planting. My guys did the patio and graded the yard and did the grass. There were several delays because of rain here - and now it has barely rained a drop in about 6 weeks, so we will owe the water company big time!! I still have a lot to do, probably buying new furniture next year.

Of course, any and all suggestions are appreciated. Thanks again to all who gave me suggestions.

Before:--- an ugly flagstone patio that could have been beautiful had it been installed properly. Grass died over last winter.

After:

This is from the step coming out of the french doors.

This is near the laundry room door. I dug a flagstone path to the barbeque grill. I wanted it out of the way. We can now walk right out the door and down the path to the grill.

Shot of the backyard with grass.

The path on the other side. I dug a path through the bed in back of the sunroom and bought a bench to put at the end under the tree.

Looking from the backyard toward the house - sorry the sun is messing it up. The little red chair belongs to my GD.

The laundry room door which leads to the barbeque. I am still trying to figure out how to make the bed against the house look better. I am trying to hide the wires and the hose, but it looks too busy to me. Next Spring!!

Coming out of the kitchen. He did a nice job on the steps. When he first put them in, we didn't think they were wide enough. He made them 4" wider with no complaint!!

Comments (22)

cooperbailey
15 years ago
Wow what a difference! It is so welcoming now! The flagstone paths are very well done. Great job! Now go grab a cool drink and enjoy the day!
pam14
15 years ago
Just gorgeous; you must be thrilled! Love the table/chairs and flowers.
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User
15 years ago
You are just full of surprises !! You have added $$$$ to the value of your home . But the real benefit is the smile you have every time you walk out there in your lovely space. What a treat for the eyes and soul. c
marciagaye
15 years ago
You have done a beautiful Job!!!!
sundial
15 years ago
What a lovely and inviting outdoor living space you have created! Thanks for sharing.
no_green_thumb
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks to all of you for your very kind and generous compliments. We love it. It has seemed like forever since we used the back patio. It was so ugly I almost hated to go out there. Now we try to have as many meals out there as we can. It is so very nice. We had a lot of trees trimmed this Spring which is letting more light in. It was one huge amount of work but well worth our efforts. If you look at the second picture of the "afters" you can see where we added to the fence that was there. It will match better after it weathers, although it is not the exact style. We put in 24 feet to further divide our property from our neighbors who choose not to care for theirs. We need another 12 feet, I think, but need to wait until DH's heart starts beating regularly again!!! He dug the holes, some right through tree roots.
robynpa
15 years ago
That is one nice looking backyard!! I love outdoor spaces and you did a fantastic job on yours!
gk5040
15 years ago
I remember your previous post. The yard and patio looks awesome. I see you removed the concrete pad that was stuck out in the middle of your yard and the tree is gone. Great job.
squirrelheaven
15 years ago
Very nice! you have a real patio now : ) Love the flagstone paths too. You sure have a gorgeous and serene setting!
daisyadair
15 years ago
It's gorgeous! I am so jealous, my back yard looks like crap. We put in a sprinkler system this summer and they cut the roots of all of our trees along the back of our yard, and now they're all dying!
Happyladi
15 years ago
Your backyard looks wonderful now! You did a great job. I think it's great that you were able to recyle the flagstone and put it to good use.

Daisyadair, have you contacted an arborist about your trees? Maybe they can be saved.
les917
15 years ago
Absolutely lovely, and so inviting! Congratulations on a wonderful job, worth every bit of hard work you invested.

As for hiding the meter, etc., what about a trellis that stands just a bit forward of the wall, so that the meter could still be read, but blocks the view from the patio?
susan209
15 years ago
I would say you need one big pat on the back for a wonderful job done, it came out just as you invisioned it. Really I'm loving the whole look, the back of the house, gardens and the back yard as a whole. I think you've done a very nice job and I really do like the paver look for a patio. I would say it is a WOW!!!
mclarke
15 years ago
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!!!
no_green_thumb
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks again for the wonderful compliments. We love it, love it. Sorry about your trees, Daisy - I would contact a person who knows - maybe they can be saved. We had a lot cut out of our yard this year. It broke my heart to see so much of nature go, but it needed to be done as our entire yard was becoming deep shade. It is still shady, but we are definitely getting more light in!
Les, I will think about that trellis idea. That would cover the wires, maybe with clematis or something growing up, then there is the hose in the corner. Maybe I just need to get a fancy hanger for it. From the wires over to the right needs a remake. Thanks for the idea.
cliff_and_joann
15 years ago
It looks wonderful, so inviting and clean.
Best Wishes.

Joann
zipdee
15 years ago
Wow, excellent job, it looks fantastic! You guys sure have been busy!
kitchenkelly
15 years ago
That is so fabulous! Congrats!
TxMarti
15 years ago
What a transformation! Not only does the patio look great, but I love the way they did the steps to your doors, and the walkways you did. Your backyard looks like a park.
no_green_thumb
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks again. Yes, we have been busy, Zipdee. I look at the results and can't imagine how we accomplished what we did. Summer is our slow work time and THIS was going to be the summer of not tackling large projects. Ha! My husband should have known better. Now, every time I say "I've been thinking . . ." he walks out of the room before I can finish the sentence. The fence on the side which is visible in one picture was a killer. But we are so happy with the results. I am so sorry to see summer end. We have just started to enjoy our efforts.
lynninnewmexico
15 years ago
It's wonderful out there now . . . just lovely! Gosh I love those tall shade trees and all that pretty grass, too! Enjoy!!
nanny2a
15 years ago
A transformation like that really adds value to your home, and you should be thrilled to have it over and done with!! Now you can enjoy your yard and look forward to spending your time out there. Just think, even though summer is almost over, the work is done and it will be ready and waiting for you next year. Congratulations on a great accomplishment! Oh, and "keep thinking"....it obviously brings great rewards!

Heidi

Before and After of my 'warzone' backyard

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Before and After of my 'warzone' backyard

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