Because, who doesn't love even a mediocre before-and-after post?
I know I'm excited since I need a good reminder of how much I've actually accomplished since the fucking to-do list never seems to get any shorter. Home ownership: as fast as you fix things, more shit falls apart. Good times. But enough of my bitterness.
Are you ready for the big reveal?
This was the front door when I bought the place almost 5 years ago:
And this is the front door now:
I know you can almost make out my address. Please refrain from stalking me. I have an aged 30 pound dog and a perpetually-teething toddler I can throw at you in self-defense.
Ok. Ready for more Moderate Ghetto Home Makeover (TM) excitement? Let's move on to the backyard.
This was my backyard 5 years ago:
Let your eyes feast on that beauty for a bit. Linger on the shipping pallet deck, the bounty of natural dust/dirt and the toothpick/particle board melange of a "fence". I feel that the original landscaper had been inspired heavily by the Sydney Tar Ponds. Exquisite.
And, this is the back yard in it's much-less-likely-to-give-you-cancer-but-not-quite-done-yet state (we still need to: paint, get a new back door, finish the deck on the side, grow vines up the lattice/over the pergola, put in a paver path, fix the dead spots on the lawn where the dog insists on peeing each and every fucking time she goes out even if she's been walked 5 minutes before and, install a hammock):
And yes, the toddler gnawing on her fist and screaming at the cameraperson is now an integral part of the landscaping and will be included with the household appliances when we eventually sell. I took real estate law, once something becomes a "fixture" it legally comes with the house. Suckers.
I tried posting this a few minutes ago, and it didn't "take". So I'm trying again.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, you did a great job. Your front and back yards look gorgeous.
If that beautiful little child is included as a fixture when you sell your house, you'll have no trouble getting double your asking price.
Thanks for the sweet comments about the house and child Eileen. They're both pretty cute but occasionally I'd pay someone to take them :)
ReplyDeleteHey, Sid - This is AWESOME! Great work!! I especially like the eavestroughing (what can I say, I am a nerd and think that eavestroughing is VERY important). Forget about the blogging big-time - you are ready for reality television a la The Life Network...hell, maybe even OWN!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks Flask Lady. It's funny because the eaves were the first major thing I did after buying and the sticker shock was almost enough to kill me. I went with a recommendation from my friend's parents and now own the nicest eaves in many, many (many) blocks.
ReplyDeleteWhat is it about pergolas that give such a sense of peace? I would love one in our back yard too. And your place looks great. Way to go on the eavestroughing...it took us 11 years to do ours.
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend the pergola. We waffled for a long time with what to do over the deck (the sun comes in sideways in the late afternoon and just cooks you so we needed something). A pergola (with bamboo blinds) was the cheapest, nicest option I could find. The only draw back is that many people seem unfamiliar with them so we keep getting asked what we're putting on top :)
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