Our Garden

This past year we have gone through some big changes in this house, but these last couple of months during our quarantine we tackled our yard in a big way. We started with just the typical moving and trimming, but then it shifted into something else. Not just a check off our box, but a family project that turned into a time of bonding. We realized that we have it better than many. We are able to go outside and still do all our work from home. I did a whole video tour on my instagram that goes into more depth, but overall we realized that before we were told to stay home and safe, we all sort of got used to doing our own things. With work, school & all the activities in between we simply were on auto pilot. We may have been on plane that was going faster than we liked. This project got us talking, laughing & reconnecting in a way words can not express. We took note of simple things and it gave us all a space to work out our feelings of this time that we are in. Now these aren’t styled or professional quality photos, but if I am going to do this blog then I need to get back to the basics of just enjoying the process of sharing. So iphone photos it is.

This area of our yard we never actually used. It sits up above our house {see last photo for reference} and we always new it could be great, but never quite had the vision for it. Well one day we were all just clearing out this little bit of land and happened upon a slew of rocks. They must have been from years past when they built all the rock walls that wrap our property and just dumped the extras. We started digging and came across hundreds, HUNDREDS. We then thought wouldn’t it be fun to have a place to hang up here as the view is nice. We then started dry stacking rocks and soon enough a platform was built for a flagstone patio. We did have to purchase more flagstone and the folk’s at Hanna’s could not have been more helpful. Little Kellen then took all the remaining rocks and built a wall that lines the edge of the property.

Then lastly we bought some cedar beds for a cutting garden. I bought the seeds from Floret and direct sowed them. Can’t wait to see what all grows. They are starting to become seedlings and it has become my daily adventure to see what all is sprouting. There is plenty of room to add more beds or till beds directly into the soil if this first stage goes well. I’m already dreaming of a little fenced area that may protect it some from our plethora of roaming cats and other animals.

Limelight hydrangeas have been a favorite of mine for decades. They are easy to care for and can tolerate this Alabama heat well. They also leave me with loads of flowers to cut. We ended up adding 10 around the front part of our yard in hopes that one day it will create a bit of a wall for summer hammock lounging. We use Eno hammocks which you can find at any local sporting goods store, but of course Amazon has them too. We then added a mix of different kinds of Rosemary along the whole perimeter of this section of our yard. The little garden lights are from Target and add a nice glow for night. I may even do a night tour for insta, because it really is so pretty. They are solar as we don’t have electricity out here. They work well thus far.

Do you spy the old fish pond? We finally added some ornamental grasses and I can’t believe I have not done it sooner. It truly changed how that area looks. I love the way it sounds when the wind blows through and just adds a tactile element this area needed to help soften the sea of concrete and stone. The seating area with fire pit, made by a friend, has been here from year one. They have held up beautifully the last 4 years and haven’t aged a bit. We don’t use the trampoline often, but it makes a great space for littles when they are over and we just discovered it’s a safer place for little K to chuck his lacrosse ball without breaking another window. You can see a more full garden tour on my instagram and always excuse my ramblings.

*affiliate links used. Meaning I get a small commission on any purchases, but you don’t pay anything extra.

Our Home: Making Over the Kitchen

Since moving into this house three years ago we have been slowly fixing this old girl up. Can you believe this is where we started? Majority of the funds have gone to the not so fun stuff like a new roof and removing trees that were dropping limbs so big they were denting the cars. Before moving in we did simplify the kitchen by removing all the upper cabinetry that made the space feel cave like. We moved from a much smaller rental house so all the extra cabinet space was not needed. Once getting settled into our home I took to painting all the cabinets a color match of Farrow & Ball Railings, bought new appliances, and added new vinyl gray tile flooring and called it day. We did it all on a tight budget as we knew one day we wanted to do the kitchen over as this one is not in the best of shape. Well, it looks like that time is nearing as the plumbing in here is slowly dying and most of the cabinetry needs to come out anyway to fix properly. After living here for three years and going over every design possibility, I finally settled on what that will serve our family best. A pared down kitchen that looks like it may have been here from day one.

Years back we were gifted cabinets pulled out from a local kitchen that was being gutted. They are similar to the bottom right image, beaded inset with the cabinet doors being a simple shaker with beading. Currently they are chocolate brown, but will be painted Farrow & Ball Railings, but this time with the real stuff not just the color match as the depth of Farrow & Ball paint can’t be replicated. We are a few cabinets short and I really desire a trash pull out so we are having those custom made. The floors are getting hardwoods to match the rest of the house, not the parquet, and we will be refinishing them all. We are keeping the peninsula as our current layout works well for the way we host, but all the appliances will be reconfigured. The stove is going under the windows so when we cook during get togethers we can still be part of the conversation. The sink and dishwasher are moving to the wall where the fridge is. This will keep the mess away from the hosting area. The fridge and a coffee bar area will be going in the nook where our washer and dryer used to be which is where you see the baskets in the last kitchen image. The peninsula will now be one solid piece and a perfect area for prep and serving. Now for the finishes, we will be drawing the kitchen in a few inches to accommodate seating at the peninsula. We tend to host large groups for small groups and are always in need of more seating. These inexpensive counter stools will be topped with leather pads. We will be doing a similar panelling treatment, you can see above right, for the back panel and sides. Carrara marble will top the main kitchen area. On the sink wall I have glazed brick pavers from Fixtures & Finishes that will go up approximately 24” inches and will be topped with a simple floating wood shelf or possibly one painted out to match the cabinets. We are indulging in a Newport Brass faucet in polished nickel, also from Fixtures & Finishes. Will be using mostly drawers in this space, but there is one cabinet that will house pots and pans, but plan to have it outfitted with drawers for simplicity. The current hutch we are wanting to keep as I love the unique reeded vintage glass and want to stay true to the home. It will be getting a fresh coat of paint, the backing will have the same panelling as the kitchen and oversized brackets will be added to make it feel more like a furniture piece. Now the Induction Bertazzoni range is on the wish list, but may have to be put off for now, but man it would look good. We do love our kitchenaid range, but can’t stand the way food bakes onto the top. An induction range is known to do this less as the burners don’t actually get hot. I feel like that would be huge a win. I am beyond excited to actually be at the point where plans can actually be made. My antsy self just wants to tear it all out immediately, but I know our continued patience will pay off.

images: hutch example by Blakes London, blue kitchen by Amber Interiors, cabinet example by cantley & co, example of pull out drawers by Kate Abt Design

An Ode to a House

Today marks three years since moving into this old fixer upper. This home has been a beautiful place to grow roots in a community we have come to love. This home has housed many fits of laughter, sickness, healing tears of joy and heartbreak. We are prayerfully navigating teenage years and learning how to grow deeper in our marriage. The front room provides sun bathed naps. The backyard has given us many s’mores nights with loved ones. Family dance parties in the kitchen are often had when the music moves. I find myself caught in the crossfire of neighborhood kids nerf gun fights that take over the whole house. We have embraced team work makes the dream work when faced with the never ending leaf supply that our glorious trees shed. We have tackled so many DIY projects we have lost count. We have painted every square inch and are slowly making this home ours. This year we have a few significant changes coming. Some due to need and some for sheer pleasure. We will forever be grateful to the previous owners who loved this home well. We still here stories of fun times had here by neighbors who once came to this house as kids. I hope we too can leave behind the same great legacy.

Now to head down memory lane…

The before - Master bedroom, kids spaces, family room & kitchen, living, dining, & powder room

Ellie’s room today & before

Kellen’s room here

Kitchen revamp on a budget, here

powder bath update here

New laundry closet, here

the dining room here

our living room although the leather chair has shifted and this one took it’s place

our family work station here

our family room here

Want to see even more of the progression, you can see them all here.