Category: Projects

We have been in need of new paint on the house for about a year or so now. The south side of the house gets slapped with rain during those rainy months around here and the seams along that side were exposed.

So this is the year to get those seams sealed and get some paint! After some lengthy talks and debates we decided on a 4-color color scheme that is similar but also very different. Enjoy!

Caution: wet paint ahead!
The painters will be back to finish trim, gutters and the front of the house (where their is more detail). Today is just body work.

South back corner of garage.
This side gets hit hard with rain but is a bit protected from the neighbors house.

South back corner of garage and house.
This wall gets slammed with rain during our rainy season.

Wide view of the house.
Notice the shed has the old color of house paint on it.

Looking north toward the shed.

Back north corner of house. New paint color on the left. Old paint color on the right.
The painters hadn’t painted this side before going to lunch.

It’s finished (well, sort of)!

Our  little  retaining wall is complete. Gino did an awesome  job and I’m really proud of him. I know it was a struggle and frustrating at times but it looks great! Thank you.

This area along the garage was updated with “rainbow” rock and crushed stone.
We just need a bit more “rainbow” rock to fill in along the fence (far right).

The original 3/4 rock that was here (above photo) we replaced along our neighbors property line (see below)

Completed retaining wall and raised bed area along south side.

Looking west toward the street.

We’ll plant some low shrubs in the bed area later. The H.O.A. requires something no more than 3 feet high. So we’ll see; something evergreen for sure.

On the sidewalk looking northeast.

The 3/4 rock was just enough to replace all the neighbors rock!

As you can see it’s not complete yet, Gino needs to rent a saw to make about 10 cuts for brick along the curve and the ends for each level as it steps up.

This afternoon we were back outside working on getting this side finished. It seems to be taking longer than it should!

Looking north ward toward the house from the sidewalk.

I (with help from Gino and Isabel) worked on getting the “rainbow” rock down along the front. It looks very nice. The neighbors boarder area will have the same 3/4 stone/rock that has been there since the homes were built.

The gentleman that took out our lawn took out a lot of the stone/rock because our grass and grown so far into it. So we’ll replace it for our neighbor and make it look all pretty.

Looking at the back of retaining wall, I sifted through the dirt to get most of the larger rocks out and placed them at the bottom the wall. I’ll continue working my way up the area as Gino finishes working toward the back yard fence.

Looking from our neighbors driveway back toward our new wall. It looks awesome!

Now the “school house” brick on our house needs to go!

It’s getting late and it’s time to clean up and head inside. Just a quick photo of the whole area before going in. Gino will rent a saw to do a few cuts along the curve in front otherwise we could add the dirt, get some plants and call it done!

Gino started work on our little retaining wall on Sunday along the south front side of the house.

Looking west toward the street.

Look at that grass!! We get to mow it for the very first time this coming weekend (August 16th). It’s a great grass, feels better than carpet!

Getting that first few blocks level, square and straight takes a bit of tamping, pounding and frustration.

He ended up redoing the first few blocks after he had it going. Fewer cuts with the saw (we’ll rent) and more level. Looks great! Love it!

Last night I stepped outside to see how the wall was coming along and he’s moving fast now!

What the wall looks like from the sidewalk.

When you drive down the street, you almost miss it. It’s subtle now, but when the dirt, rock and plants are in it’ll be a nice area between our yard and the neighbors.

We ended up having to rebuild the gate door on the north side of the house. Due to all the new dirt that was brought in for the grass. Gino used the all the old hardware and hinges. He also changed the direction the door opened.

The frame.

The area below the door will be filled with the same rock that surrounds this area.

The new swing direction of the door.

Getting the new panels up but he needs to hurry up, it’s raining!

Last weekend we got the sod laid out (with the help from some of our AWESOME neighbors) and this weekend we added rock to 3 areas in the front.

Yesterday, we rented a trailer, purchased “rainbow rock” and laid it out in the areas were we wanted it to go.

New “rainbow rock” by the light and front tree.

Looking southwest, “rainbow rock” in the new tree ring.
The old bark along the far left side of photo will be removed and filled with good soil.

Looking east, new “rainbow rock” along the existing curbing.
This area we haven’t finished but you can begin to see what it will look like.

This area by the existing curbing was filled with LOTS of old bark, we spent the evening last night removing it and filling it back in with good soil. We added the “rainbow rock” and then later add a few new plants as well. The “rainbow rock” will continue around the front all the way over to the  sidewalk on the north side. We need to continue to remove the old bark and then fill the area with good soil.

Still lots of work ahead but we have already gotten lots of praise from our neighbors!
Will continue to add photos, so check back.

After getting this area cleared last month, we still hadn’t decided what to do with it and with the weeds coming back in we had to decide soon.

So with leftover grass from the front yard, we decided to add sod to this very under-used area of our yard.

Finished sod project!

THANK YOU Neighbor!
(just like yesterdays sod project, we had another neighbor help us today!)

We finished this project later in the day since there was so much prep that needed to be done before we could even think about laying the sod. We still have several things to do before this area on the north side is complete but is looking better than before!

The completed project, well sort of…

We have the new sod in.

But need to:

• take out existing bark in the front and along the north side street
• plant new plant/shrubs in the “jellybean”
• fill curbed beds around trees with weed barrier and rock
• add a small retaining wall along south side of yard
• add more rock along south side below new retaining wall
• add shrubs in new bed created by retaining wall and curbing