landscape project - before & after

Our decision to buy this unfashionable house in an unfashionable neighbourhood was, for a long time, kind of like dating a guy who you weren't really attracted to but who ticked other, more important boxes. And then you made him have plastic surgery. 

​Here's what I mean:

Nothing looked good. The too small, too high windows, the ornate wrought iron railing, the white eavestroughs and landscaping that had seen better days. I even thought the brick colour was weird.  But the neighbours were delightful, the schools great and we could walk to parks and the library and pokey Cloverdale mall where time stood still but had a coffee shop and a bookstore. We were happy but a tad defensive about our choice. Or at least I was. I've always put my insecurities right out there. 

But look! Here's our fella now! He's the same but BETTER. So much better. 

I can't emphasize how much I hated that curving walkway from the driveway. Ugh, that curve. That flagstone, all lumpy and cracked. Worst of all was not having a connection to the house from the sidewalk. Do you know how many trick-or-treaters just walked on by because they didn't want to go up the drive and across? 

But now there is a proper connection between sidewalk and house. A right angled 4' wide walkway that is level and properly sloped for drainage. It's the best. Those boxwoods? They keep my kids from cutting across the grass and wearing it out. Everyone goes up the path now!

Raising the planting bed was a chance to add architectural interest and contrast with '60s-inspired pavers in soft black. The planter is just the right height for sitting and has become a gathering place in the evening. It's wonderful. I'm not a gardener so I chose low maintenance, hardy grasses and a few forgiving perennials. I'm excited to watch it fill in. So happy with our house now. I've even come around the brick colour.