Like I mentioned before, this house needs a lot of work. A lot, friends. Like, a full time second job, a lot of work... It's been vacant for over a year, and quite frankly, it's gross. I'm so thankful that we really don't have to clean it, since it's going to be completely gutted. The wonderful thing is that both my mom and I have a vision, which, surprisingly, is the same, and it will be absolutely stunning when complete. The neighborhood is the picture of perfection, and though it will probably take about a year to get this little diamond in the rough to fit in, it will be totally worth it in the end.
Below are the official "before" pics of the outside. I'll have to break this into a few different posts, just because there is so much to show you!
These photos were taken about a month ago, before we had any rain. Here in North Texas, it's rained for two weeks straight, so you can imagine the growth. Thank God for the HOA who cares for the front yard, because the back yard is straight out of a gardener's worst nightmare. Above, we plan to remove a couple trees, so you can at least see the house, and also remove the half moon of shrubs in the front and lay sod. We're from the country, we like grass, and the dogs need somewhere to conduct their business.
What a charming walkway, huh? NO. This backyard is huge for a patio home, because it's wide, not a typical shotgun patio home. I can't tell you how overgrown this is right now, but to give you an idea, you can't see the pathway any longer.
Another terrifying view of the side yard. See that crooked arched gate? When we first found this little gem, Mr. Right scraped his arm on it. He agonized over the painful death he would incur as a result of contracting tetanus, and eventually went to get a shot. He lived, by the way. We're so grateful... ;)
Evidently, the previous owners were running an illegal fruit stand from the back yard, because there are three of these enormous peach trees. This is the largest one, and has probably doubled in size since I took this photo. It's branches are laying on the roof now and there is fruit everywhere! I mean everywhere... rotting, bugs, stinky, ugh. There is no sunlight because of all these fruit trees. We also have dates, if anyone is interested. See those homemade trellises in the back? There are 18 of them. Awesome!
Oh look! Raised flower beds full of grass! In all seriousness, this was probably a beautiful backyard at some point in time, when all these different plants, flowers, and trees were cared for properly and in bloom. Now, it's just a huge mess. The space is big enough to have a patio, a small area for a garden, and a large area to sod so the dogs can run. There are some beautiful plants back there to save including hostas, roses, morning glories, hydrangeas, and several crepe myrtles. And just in case you tree huggers are concerned, our realtor has a couple acres and will be accepting the trees that we take out.
Did I mention that the gardener we've used for the past ten years just got deported? A little cherry on top of this tasty little sundae!
I won't exhaust you any further until tomorrow :) It gets even better when you go inside...
xoxo-
sarah
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