Now that the warm weather is almost here, many of you are starting to think about outdoor cleanup and possibly what new outdoor projects you want to tackle this year. I have an awesome project to share with you that I completed last Spring.
We actually completed an entire landscaping overhaul including our front yard, side yard, and back yard. I am excited to share it all with you, but consider this a sneak peek!
This is my new and improved side yard:
Want to see the before?
Okay, you asked for it…
Yikes! Horrible wasn’t it? It was downright embarrassing!
Although in our defense, we just had a gigantic gum ball tree removed. You can see the sawdust remnants and thousands of gumballs where it stood. It was right in front of our gate. Isn’t that dumb?? We used to have to squeeze around it to get to the back yard.
Quite the transformation, don’t you think? I love sitting out here in the mornings just enjoying the quiet. Of course it doesn’t look like this right now. My hydrangeas are just waking up:)
What I love most about this area is the little circular patio. I built it from the granite stone blocks you see in the before picture!
I was inspired by this circular pattern in the gravel at a local nursery:
I thought it was so cool.
We had a ton of these granite blocks because the previous owner had also used them in the front yard.
They had very little impact before and I didn’t want to use them at all in the new landscape because I thought they were so ugly. When I was inspired by the pattern above, I was so excited that I might be able to use them after all.
I dug my hole about 3-4 inches deeper than the blocks. They were varying sizes so I used the biggest ones as my guide.
I used weed-block fabric in the base of the hole. Then I filled the hole with about 2-3 inches of sand.
As you can see I arranged my stones in a circular pattern, starting in the center and working my way to the outside.
A layer of crusher run, which is a crushed stone and available at your nursery, should be used also as base before adding sand. I did use this for my pathway, but not for this circular area as I didn’t mind if it wasn’t perfect. And actually, it has done just fine without it, probably because these stones are so heavy that they aren’t going anywhere!
Lastly, I filled in the spaces with these tiny pebbles. Pea pebbles are round and you can easily roll on them and slip. These pebbles are a bit more jagged and irregular.
You can see them a bit better in this shot. That’s my big boy, he’s such a sweetie! This was taken during our egg hunt last Easter, before any of the plants were added.
It adds a lot of interest to this area and breaks up the long pathway from the front to the back.
What do you think about the gate? I built it myself! You can check out how I built that here.
Here’s a view from the other side:
I love that I was able to create a destination out of a previously unused area of our yard.
Let’s see that transformation one more time…
From this:
To this!:
{Update}
And One Year Later:
It has really filled in in just one year! You can see more here.
You had a sneak peak at my back yard in the before photos, but wait until you see the after! I also have my front yard to share so be sure to come back soon!
Update: My backyard is up, and you can see it HERE now!
You can also visit my front yard now by clicking HERE.
I hope you enjoyed my recycled granite block patio project! It was labor intensive, but super simple to do. Maybe you will be inspired to create a new outdoor space too!
XO,
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Jenna says
Great job Christy, what a wonderful transformation! I know you smile every time you see it! It all looks lovely fabulous!
Jenna
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Jenna! This is my go to happy place lol:)
Cindy says
Wow! What a beautiful transformation! You should be proud of all of your hard work.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cindy:)
Catherine says
Wow! And Wow Again! Very impressive before and after! You certainly worked hard on this, and it’s just beautiful. Congrats on a job well done! Catherine (new follower)
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Catherine! I love it, too:)
Audra @ Renewed Projects says
Love that circular pattern! We’re redoing out backyard patio, too, and I’m wondering now how the circular rocks would look out there.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Audra! I think the circular pattern adds a bit of charm. It might depend what you’re planning on using the area for. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment:)
Rachel says
Amazing, incredible, ridiculously gorgeous transformation!! The husband and I are taking care of a yard for the first time – I’ve become obsessed with checking out what other people are doing with their yards to make them pretty.
Christy K. James says
You sound just like me last year…I would snap pictures of neighbors’ yards hoping no one was looking just trying to gather some inspiration! I finally drew my yard out on graph paper and came up with a plan…I still have to post on my front and back yard. The difference is amazing! I hope you’ll come back soon and check them out:) good luck!
lois says
I love how your new yard came out, I have been looking for some inspiration for a few areas I want to work on this summer and think I finally found it. Thanks!
Christy K. James says
I’m so glad, Lois! I remember scouring the Internet night after night looking for inspiration for our yard last year and there wasn’t a whole lot out there. That was before pinterest came into my life:)
Glad you like it!
Katy @ Lolly Linens says
My backyard looks like your before picture, could you come help me improve it??
Christy K. James says
Lol! We lived with ours like that for several years…ugh! We knew it was going to be a lot of work, but I’m so glad it’s done:)
Luisa says
ohemmgee. This is so pretty! You did a fantastic job and they gate is gorgeous. Seriously. Love.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Luisa! I’m so glad you like it:)
Pam @ Simple Details says
WOW! That is so impressive, Christy! What a beautiful addition to your yard!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Pam:)
Ceekay says
Wow….wanna come spend a week or so here and help me with my yard….??? I love the circular pattern!
Christy K. James says
Thanks Ceekay! That depends, are you somewhere warm?! 🙂
Stacey says
Christy, your landscaping project definitely caught my eye. That’s what we are working on right now too. We just moved into a new house last summer…there is no personality at all in the landscaping so it’s going to take some work. Your side yard is fabulous! Love your gate too. We’ve been on many garden tours and the ones that have the sides all finished out always have such a pretty impact.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Stacey! I hope you’ll come back to see the front and back reveals. Good luck on your landscaping:)
Zuni @ chickadeehomenest says
Wow!! Talk about gratification!!! You must be over the moon, not only enjoying the quiet there, but knowing YOU did it!! Beautiful! ~Zuni
Christy K. James says
Yes!! It feels great:)
Nancy says
Stunning transformation! You did such a great job!! What a lovely garden space…I would love to see the rest…..
Nancy
http://wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Nancy! I am working on my front and back reveals now. I have a lot if photos to sift through:) Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
Carol says
Your backyard garden is beautiful. We have cobblestones in our backyard and I love them. I am looking forward to spring break (starts tomorrow) so I can work in the garden.
Christy K. James says
I really love this look, too! I hope it gets warm soon so I can get back outside as well:)
Manuela@ A Cultivated Nest says
That just gorgeous! I know doing all that digging is hard work! Now you have that beautiful area to enjoy forever. The gate is amazing too!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Manuela! It was hard work, but well worth it:)
the cape on the corner says
you’ve really made that a destination, not just a walk way. love it, and love that you used those leftovers from the previous owner. free and fabulous.
Christy K. James says
So true! Our little piece of the earth is so tiny that we tried to make every inch count:) Thanks!
Sherry says
Hi Christy, What a beautiful transformation! Thank you for sharing your wonderful project at the Open House Party.
xx,
Sherry
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Sherry for hosting such a great party for us to link our projects!!
Pendra says
Amazing transformation! We just bought a home that has a huge front and back yards and nothing in them! A BIG blank slate and I am so not prepared to fill them, but I want a plan and start adding to it! We still have about a foot of snow outside, so it might be awhile yet! I LOVE what you have done with this cute pathway!! Can’t wait to see more of what you’ve done!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Pendra (cool name)! I am working on a post to share the front yard right now:) Reinventing a space can be intimidating, but fun too!
Tania says
Wow, that’s a beautiful transformation! I am currently house hunting so I’m hoping I’ll have a new yard soon to put my own touches into, you’ve given me some great inspiration!
I found you on Design, Dining + Diapers!
Tania
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Tania!! Hope you find something great:)
Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says
This is gorgeous! What a transformation. It looks awesome you should be really proud. We are getting ready to start a new patio in our backyard using a similar method so I loved reading your post. Thanks!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Taryn!! This was hard work, but the steps are pretty simple! Glad you found this is in time:)
gin says
really nice! i need to get started on my makeover now that you have inspired me. oh,, and following you also so i can see the rest of your yards makeover.
Christy K. James says
Woohoo, I love new followers!! Good luck on your own makeover:)
Morgaine says
What an awesome before and after! Wanna come fix up my yard? lol.
Just beautiful. New follower!
Morgaine from Madcap Frenzy
http://www.madcapfrenzy.blogspot.com/2013/03/totally-tuesday-link-party-2.html
Christy K. James says
That’s depends, is it warm where you are? Ha ha, ready for some warm weather! Thanks, Morgaine!
Mindy says
Gorgeous! It’s funny you should stop by my blog. I had your post open in a tab from Nifty Thrifty Sunday, but just hadn’t looked at it yet. Now I’ll have to poke around as well. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment on my post.
Christy K. James says
That’s funny! I love how your garden is blooming right now. It’s been so cold here still that things are just starting to poke through!
kristin says
It is so pretty!!!! Fabulous transformation!
Christy K. James says
Thanks:)
Sherry says
Hi Christy, Check out this weeks Open House party to see your project featured. Thanks again for linking to the party.
xx,
Sherry
Christy K. James says
Awesome!! Thanks Sherry:)
Amber @ Simple Dwellings says
Wow, that looks amazing, Christy! I came over from Pam’s blog and the afters are just stunning. You must smile every time you see it!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Amber! I’m so glad you came over to check it out! It really does put a smile on my face:)
Elisa says
Stunning transformation! I too came over from Pam’s blog and am just floored with your handy work. I’ll have to keep this in mind for my own yard.
Christy K. James says
Thanks for coming to check it out, Elisa!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
What an amazing makeover! I can say that your side yard in the “before” state is what I tend to see a lot of side yards look like. You have made this a beautiful area and path to your yard. I’m sure it was a lot of physical labor, but you did such a great job. You must have such a feeling of satisfaction in not only completing this, but in how it looks. I’m going to save this to show my daughter for her house.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Kathy!! I am so glad it is done and we can really enjoy it now 🙂
Betty says
I love your yard makeovers. My question . . . how do you decide what plants to put where? This hurdle has kept me from going forward on so many of my ideas.
Christy K. James says
Great question, Betty! I am about to put together a post on how I started my garden from scratch. But my biggest piece of advice is this: go to your local nursery, big box stores, etc and check out what plants they have to offer. Take photos of anything that interests you. Then go home and look them up. Find out what kind of light they like, how tall/wide they will grow, etc. This way you aren’t buying on impulse, and planting things where they will grow best will ensure a successful garden. Also, anything you plant can easily be moved in the first year, so if you don’t like what you’ve chosen, you can move it! Hope this helps a bit. Come back soon or sign up to receive my posts by email so you don’t miss future posts 🙂
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
I love this area too! What a great way to use formerly wasted space. I agree that the circle design was a great choice.
Christy K. James says
Thanks again, Jen!
Tina McNamara says
This is a BEAUTIFUL transformation. How close is the house next to yours? If I tried to do something like this the garden would be right up against my neighbors house. Oh well.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Tina! Actually I can throw a rock at our neighbors house while sitting on that bench. Our houses are really close together! Measure your space out, you might be surprised at how much you can squeeze in! 🙂
Feral Turtle says
Looks fantastic. How lucky to have those blocks on hand, ready to use. You really worked hard and it shows! Good job girl!
Christy K. James says
Thanks again! I can’t believe I almost gave those blocks away!!