Wednesday, April 27, 2022

BEFORE AND AFTER BACKYARD MAKEOVER

This is a home we owned 
several years ago in the 
Historical District of Green Bay.

The big old houses were built
close together with long ,deep yards.
The house to the left of 
the one we bought
was an eyesore as far as
the yard was concerned.
The fix?
A fence!
What's the old saying?......
Good fences screen ugly things
make good neighbors.
SOOO TRUE.

Here is one of the 
highlights when we were done.
When we moved in 
this is what I saw looking out our
breakfast nook window.
Now how cute is THAT? NOT!!!!
Look what a difference a fence makes.
This is from the back looking towards 
the back of the house.
Before:
After:
This was before any landscaping was done.
We divided the back yard into
two "rooms"...and put a picket fence
across the back yard to divide it.
First we had to dig up the yard to 
trench utilities out to the back.
I stuck an arbor there so they
would know where I wanted
to place the fence across
The fence went up to make the division.

The problem was that the neighbor's 
old garage was built on the property line.

It looked like what you see above.

The neighbor allowed me to paint it
and hang a door and two windows on it.
I painted the back of the windows black
so that they looked like the real deal.
They are basically "decorations" 
hung on the side of the garage.
I eventually painted the shutters
white-sadly, no pictures of that.

Want to see what is behind the gate now?
Come on in!
Hard to believe it's the same place, isn't it?
New Dawn roses eventually grew up the 
arbors and scrambled right up over
the side of the garage.
sigh- Have I told you I really loved this place?
I did-oh yes-I did!
If I run away from home you might want
to look for me under the arbor
in my old 'secret garden'!
Shhhh-don't tell MyHero where I am

he might show up and want me to cook! 

your photo name

49 comments:

MadSnapper said...

a true makeover.. love the painted barn windows and the arbor and fences do work wonders for sure.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What an amazing difference! I bet you do miss it.

Anonymous said...

Love what you did with the garage. What a great idea. I miss my old house too I miss my pond and my ducks. Oh well! Have a wonderful day. Hugs missy

HIBISCUS HOUSE said...

I loved the trip down memory lane and see why you loved this place. Y'all made it a beautiful place for sure.
Dolly

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Awwww Diana, it’s a beautiful spot! I can see why you miss it. I had a yard in Michigan that was like a forest and I dearly loved that dreamy spot, too. Then we moved to Texas.

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

You truly had a vision to transform the place Diana, and it looks so amazing! The neighbor's barn revamping looks wonderful and roses always add such charm, but my favorite is the picket fence and arbor...love love love it! Thanks for sharing before and after photos!

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

You have such an eye for detail my friend!! I have a friend who did the same as you - put up two old window frames (and window boxes!) on the side of her shed. It looks adorable. I hope you currently have a nice space where you can have roses and garden decor. -Jenn

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

That is a great reno on the yard. Dividing it really helped. I like the arbor and the way you took care of the side of the garage.

Lynne said...

Oh girlfriend . . .
I am loving what you did to dress
up your home, yard, property.
The neighbor garage idea is the “nines!”
And liking, loving the latest update too.
Back I go to look again!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Wow! What a stunning transformation -- you did such beautiful work and turned your yard into a showpiece! And yes, the fence and arbor made all the difference!

Debbie@lakehouse said...

Oh Diana!!! What a lovely garden space you created! ❤️ I am sure the owners appreciate what you did!!! xxoo

Leena Milligan Lanteigne said...

I remember this! Your makeover made such a difference and your yard was beautiful! Much prettier to look at than the "before" view! Hugs!

Junkchiccottage said...

Wow what a great transformation. This is amazing. Love love it all. Hope all is going well. Have a great week. xoxo Kris

Red Rose Alley said...

I really enjoyed seeing all the improvements you did at your old house, Diana. And your post hit home for me. I had a similar situation with the neighbor. Part of the fence was missing, and the fence line was on my neighbor's property, so what we had to do was put in new fencing before her property line. We will eventually put in fencing around the whole side area, but as you know, fencing is expensive! I love the little garden area you planted. The rock around it is charming. The new fence you put in looks much nicer. A little paint goes a long way, doesn't it? I can relate to your post this morning, Diana, as I'm always out there doing things trying to improve the looks of my house. Supposed to paint the outside next year, and can't wait.

Have a sweet day.

~Sheri

Tom said...

...I was in the landscape business for 50 years, I tried to make the world a prettier place.

Donna said...

Diana, you always amaze me! This was quite a beautiful transformation! Yup, I would have wanted to hide the ugliness (yes, call a spade a spade) next door. It's evident why you loved this home. Do you have any interior pictures? I love old houses.

Still praying for Jason and his family...you and John also. xoxo

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous

Carla from The River said...

Oh My Goodness!! This is amazing. What a great idea to do with the neighbors garage. You have given me some great ideas, we have a garage on the property line as well.
Love it!
Carla

Jeanie said...

A fence between our woodland cottage and the McMansion next door with the asphalt lawn has saved me lots of angst! I love that the neighbors allowed you to paint the side of the garage and foof it up. It's darling!

Shari Burke said...

What a fabulous makeover! Looks like such a lovely spot. well done!

jack69 said...

I love it when someone thinks of before and after pictures. It must be rewarding. I am one of those who says, "I shoulda taken pictures!" sigh... Anyway loved the entry there are a few of us who would like to visit 'That Place' we fondly remember!
Love it.
;-)

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

I absolutely LOVE this makeover Diana!!! You really must miss that garden! I know when I got divorced sure I missed the house.....but I REALLY missed my gardens - there was nothing there when I moved in, except for a horrible patch of pachysandra. My blood sweat and tears went into my gardens, and my ex ended up with the house - sigh, that was then and this is now.

Brenda Pruitt said...

What a beautiful transformation! I've left a garden I once loved too. Time marches on.
Brenda

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Brilliant execution on making eye sore views soooo much better. This was very interesting. And yes, I hide too sometimes to get out of making dinner. Usually involves a late day 90 minute massage appointment lol.

Like yesterday's! LOL!

HappyK said...

Wow what a terrific idea to put the door and windows on that old garage. What a transformation.
LOVE the fudge!!!! Ken and I keep going into the refrigerator and taking a piece.

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

Wow! Diana, What a difference you made by putting in the fence and fixing up the garage. Your backyard looked beautiful with the makeover! It's amazing what a fence can do to a property!

Ann said...

Oh my, that was an eyesore. The fence made a world of difference. I love how you did the side of that garage. Those windows and doors look fantastic.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Wow! I am so impressed. I would not have even known what to do to make it look better. You are so talented at this, you could be a landscaper or designer.

Debby said...

OMG, I love it. You did a good job. I have an eyesore next to me, that is going to be a bit of a challenge. You did really good though. That fencing is very attractive and the paint and all on that side of the barn are adorable.

Musings of a Vintage Junkie said...

LOVE the door and windows on the garage! What a great idea. It was a sweet place. So nice that you have pictures to remember it.

Anonymous said...

Oh that was a good fix! Love how you made the garage look like it had windows. Fences are wonderful things!
Hugs, Cecilia

Shelia said...

Wow! What a difference. Did your neighbor with the messy place learn from y'all and fix their place up?

Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Amazing what a difference a fence can make! And I love that you were able to hang the windows and door on the neighbor's barn...and your arbor, garden, etc., were SO lovely. I understand how you must miss it. I miss some aspects of our previous home/garden, etc. too, but the house was a lot bigger and we felt lost in it after our son got married and moved out and my MIL went to the nursing home and people just didn't come around as much as before...so we moved here. This house is smaller and the yard is smaller, but I still have trouble keeping it clean. Oh well...that's life and aging! LOL. Loved your walk down memory lane. Beautiful memories indeed. Thank you for your comment on my blog earlier...praying for you too. Like my sweet old daddy used to say, "Oh Pam, don't get old!" And I'd reply, "Well, Daddy, What's my alternative?" And he'd think a minute, and then smile and say, "Oh, I see what you mean...". Getting older isn't for sissies, that's for sure! Take care my friend. (((hugs)))

Terri D said...

Wowzer! Beautifully done! xo

Gert said...

Oh Diana you are so gifted, I love your make over, especially that arbor gate and the makeover of the side of that garage!

Blessings,
Gert

Merlesworld said...

We all have fences here I was surprised on the makeover shows how many people don't have fences in America, I always wondered how you keep your dogs in your place.

Bless said...

How lovely is that? I need you to come over and landscape my back garden for me! :D

Theresa said...

WOW, beautiful transformation!!!! I know you loved it and it's ok to sneak off to go there again:) Enjoy your day dear friend, HUGS!

Melanie said...

What a great makeover! The view out my small kitchen window above my sink makes me want to scream - it's of the side of the neighbor's garage and front entrance to his house (very close to our house). Problem is, he doesn't take care of his landscaping. So the front area by his entrance and garage is nothing but weeds. I'd love to somehow block the view, but we don't have much of a choice on how to do that because our well is right there between the two houses. So we can't plant bushes there nor put up a fence.

Linda said...

What a beautiful place and look how you transformed it!!! No wonder you miss it! Was this the last home you moved away from? To where you live now?

Ron said...

I love a great transformation and before and afters!

SImple and Serene Living said...

It was such a cute backyard. xo Laura

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

Wow - now that's a transformation! I love what you did to the barn to turn it from an eyesore to a beautiful focal point!

Debbie Nolan said...

Ah Diana you had lovely vision and lots of hard work but oh how beautiful was the transformation. It turned out be so beautiful. Maybe I can run away with you there too. I adore gardens and fences. Have a great start to May. Hugs!

Anonymous said...

love it !!😊

patty said...

Hi
Love the redo
so cute
I am having leaving comments on our blogspot
it sometimes has me anonymous
like the previous comment
well happy spring Diana
patty @attic clutter

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

Yikes that took my breath away hahahaha! The fence sure created a little paradise next to . . . well, something ELSE lol! You sure put a lot of work into that and created a beautiful space. I wonder if they ever peeked over and were inspired to clean up their act haha!

Wild Oak Designs said...

Clever, clever.....
Wonderful and delightful....
Nancy

Anonymous said...

Wow! Good idea! And your yard is BEAUTIFUL!💕💐 I know a lot of hard work and it shows. I would love to have my yard look like yours.