FRONT YARD MAKEOVER

Last weekend Brandon and I decided to overhaul the front yard and replace all the old wood chips with new cedar mulch. Since moving into Melrose we had done nothing more than maintaining the front yard by mowing, planting new flowers, trimming the bushes, etc. so it was time to replace the old ground cover. Most of the wood chips had become mixed with dirt and tree bark and it just looked "dirty". Brandon coaxed me into this full day project by agreeing if we conquer the front yard and make it look nice, then he will be more accepting of my backyard project! So of course, I was in! He didn't have to ask me twice!


Here is Melrose's old wood chips:

 No, that isn't an oversized, out-of-control weed (as Brandon referred to it) in front of our oak tree - it is my lantana that just sprouted its first blooms after this picture was snapped.

 check out our boom box providing our entertainment for the day!

Not only were the wood chips hideous, but the weeds and azaleas were out of control. Everything needed to be pulled, trimmed, or removed! Here is what we left Lowe's with that morning:

35 bags of cedar mulch and we used all but a few bags!

We chose cedar because apparently the scent is a natural insect repellant and in an old house you want to do anything to keep any pests out! It smells so pleasant, especially after a good rain, and slightly reminds me of a hamster cage. Ha. 

So, after five hours of raking (which I have a blister to prove it) and bagging we were ready to lay down the new mulch and it made such a difference! We are so happy with the results and it was definitely worth the long day. Hopefully all this mulch won't intermingle with the dirt too quickly!

What do you think? I really like how the cedar stands out and doesn't seem like dirt from the road. But after this long day of what I thought would just give me a little bit of tan and calorie loss, I ended up having to buy all these products due to a patch of poison ivy on the side of the house! Eek! I'm MUCH better now after I got a steroid shot, but I did look like Will Smith in Hitch for a few days after his allergic reaction ... 

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

Well, spring is officially here and I am loving it! I have all ready enjoyed a few afternoons by the pool, my white jeans, and open toed sandals. Not only am I embracing the warmer weather, but so is Melrose's plant life. Our tulips have bloomed (and about died), the azaleas are in full force, and Mom planted me some new dainty flowers in my stone pots. Now, I am just waiting on our rose bush and confederate jasmine to spring alive!

 check out the drooping tulips in the background, oops!

And since Easter is right around the corner, I decided to go pastel pink with my new shellac manicure. So sweet and innocent.

I think it will match my new Easter dress from Zara perfectly. Don't judge - I know it looks a little funky and harsh with the black booties, but it really is sweet and feminine. I think a little gold belt around the waist will be the perfect touch. I love the mint green paired with the abstract watercolor and the palette is so unexpected. Do you have a new Easter dress? 

I hope you all enjoying this lovely weather! We are about to be in full backyard project mode so I will be sure and keep ya'll updated on the process! Stay tuned for Melrose's master bedroom reveal this week!

DREAMING OF SUMMER

Now that the sun is starting to prevail over the overcast clouds and rainy days, I am really getting anxious for summertime. I feel a little guilty all ready pleading for hot, sunny days considering we haven't even experienced a true winter, but I'm a summer girl! I am really working hard on Brandon to get permission to do a little work on our backyard this Spring. I posted last year about how I really want an arbor above our stone patio - and that is still on the list, but I am hoping to also include some landscaping and possibly a stone fireplace! I would love to be able to entertain outside and enjoy a fire on a chilly night.


I have been pinning a lot of outdoor inspiration lately and I am loving the creative ways people are using outdoor pavers and tile. We currently have an area full of pebbles (used to be for parking) that we would love to remove and lay down sod, but I am thinking this would be an awesome alternative. What do you think?

 this whole set up is beautiful ... take me there ... now

 chevron pattern using pavers? I like this idea ... 

 checkerboard style alternating tiles and grass

I really like the idea of having a patterned stone area similar to these and an open area of grass. Maybe I can work this out and convince Brandon how amazing it will be, and worth the investment! So beyond removing all the stone and laying sod + tile, I would love a stone fireplace. Here are some beautiful inspiration photos from my pinterest board. 

this is a cute, quaint area to relax and entertain

 or do you prefer modern and abstract?

 check out the fireplace in the background ... I think this is my favorite photo even though it isn't in full focus. I like the firewood storage on either side and the darker brick.

 now this outdoor kitchen is amazing, a food lovers dream, but not reasonable for us! I am totally digging the arbor with furniture and the fireplace at the foot ... very similar to the layout I want. 

 white washed brick!? ya'll know I love white ...

Do any of ya'll know of a reasonable landscape architect (in the Birmingham area) who does similar projects to these that I can contact? I am hoping to call and get some prices to see what we can do. Wish me luck! (especially in persuading Brandon ...)

all sources via my pinterest board

OUTDOOR INSPIRATION

With summer in full swing I have really been itching to do some out door entertaining (when it isn't 100 degrees). Problem is, Melrose is really lacking in the backyard area. Currently she has a a great lot for entertaining with a large stone patio, but no furniture. I need a game plan so next summer will be full of summer parties!


So, I have been brainstorming on what to do with the stone pad and what would be ideal for relaxing during the year. Here are some beautiful photos I have found while browsing pinterest lately:

 love how the vines have created a canopy overhead ...

 grape vine climbing on trellis

and, my favorite ...

Love, love, love this simple arbor with greenery - perfect for summer parties. The furniture layout is perfect and I like the combo of dining and relaxing. And the fireplace too - wow, perfection! Would love to have this someday.

check out all my sources on my pinterest board

SPRING TIME AT MELROSE: update

Brandon has been working hard in the yard and it is a-maz-ing. Seriously, the grass is SO green (in the front yard) you would think you were on a golf course! Maybe it is because I accidently sprayed a whole container of Miracle Gro on the lawn - or maybe it is because Brandon takes pride in his yard. Definitely the later of the two...

Here is Brandon in action and admiring his work. 

We really have some work to do in the backyard if we want our grass to look as great as the front yard. We just have lots of dirt patches and empty flower beds. I hope to fix the flower beds this weekend, but in the meantime Brandon has kept it very clean cut. Along the back fence we had a lot of shrubbery that had just "taken over." Brandon got busy on it basically cut down an entire tree.

The flowers Mom and I planted are growing like a weed (ha)! Their colors are so vibrant and make the lawn look so pretty. I just hope they don't die. This is my first, true experiment at gardening so I hope it goes well. 

Check out the overflowing rose bush around the mailbox. Beautiful! Also, over the weekend I noticed that my hostas we planted have buds. I can't wait to see the flowers that bloom - it's a surprise!