Hollister House Before and After Phase 1

It has officially been one year since we moved into our new home. Of first official real house...the condo didn't count...well it did when we lived there...now it doesn't! haha

I figured there was no better way to celebrate than to do a good old fashion before and after. We have done so much around here that it will have to be in phases. 

So I'll start with the Yard Phase.

A quick little back story...we purchased this house from my husbands Grandma. After Grandpa passed Grandma was injured and lived in a assisted living facility. The house sat empty for over two years. We were all busy with life, Grandma and other sick family members so other than the occasional check in the house didn't get much maintenance. 

When my husband and I decided we were outgrowing our two bedroom condo we went house shopping. It just happened that Grandma was ready to sell her house. We made a offer and she accepted...we celebrated and here we are today! 

Since I first saw this house I have wanted to work in its garden. I have a vision...I am sure I will get there someday...but for now I am thrilled with all that we have done. On to the fun stuff...pictures. 

The Front Yard

Before: 

The front of the house needed a little TLC. After sitting for so long with out much care other than lawn mowing the yard was in need of some major curb appeal.

Large flower bed on left side.

Smaller flower bed on right side.

After:

We ended up taking out the view blocking hedges, flower bed in the middle of the lawn and most of the over grown plants in the flower beds. I kept the rose bushes but moved them around. I reshaped the right flower bed for a more organic feel.  We also dug out a four foot wide flower bed along our right hand property line. We wanted to separate the blending of our lawn with the neighbors lawn. We have five Iceberg rose trees there and plans for more at sometime in the future (note to self...get a picture of that tomorrow).

New garden Aug 2011

Here is a closer look at one of my favorite new roses.

My first go at roses...the Golden Sunset is looking good.

You can see why its called a Golden Sunset now.


We have other plans for the front including painting the house...fixing the porch railings and columns, as well as big stuff like installing a much nicer looking walkway and putting a picked fence in around the lawn. But those are all dreams at this point...someday.

The Backyard

This one was a big project...that did not get done until last weekend...if you can believe it.  It was a jungle out there.

Before:

 

Take note of the scary dark back corner...I am glad I didn't have to go in there and deal with the boogie man along with the spider colony! 

 

In the last year we had the over grown fruit trees taken out, the out of control ivy removed, old furniture donated or dumped and the rest cleaned up. The roses were moved to the side yard. Then the big work started.

After:

Grass glorious grass!

We rebuilt the fence on this side and yes we should have had the cypress taken out as well. I thought they would grow on me...they haven't. Anyone have a chainsaw?

These flower bed are ready for some love...next spring! The fence...well maybe next summer.

The back yard was a huge project...just the rototiller killed my poor husbands hands...so I helped a lot with leveling out the soil. We raked and raked and then we started with the sod. Husband did the hauling and I did the green side up part. It was actually a quick process...10am to 2pm if you want a specific time line...we were beyond exhausted when we were done though. 

I am thrilled with the end result. I have big plans for the flowers back here and already have seeds to save some money on plants. But more on that later. Right now I am just going to sit on our back patio and enjoy the green...so much better than dry and dusty!

Stay tuned...we have the entire inside of the house to go over! 

Christy

Shared with the following wonderful sites...