Outdoor Spaces
Front Entry - Before
Classic black shutters and front door along with outdated brass exterior lighting didn't give much curb appeal to the house. The traditional landscaping, including formally-shaped boxwoods lacked a more casual and welcoming farmhouse feel. The narrow path formed with stone pavers was barely wide enough to accommodate guests (but don't worry, they were salvaged for another project). We certainly had a quite a list of outdoor projects ahead of us.
Front Entry - After
Painting the front door in a more welcoming and vibrant teal color and adding rustic, yet sweet, plant stands on either side increased the charm we were looking for. Swapping the outdated lighting for an oil-rubbed bronze fixture brightens the porch for guests. Softening the landscaping with farmhouse-appropriate hydrangeas and less formal plantings provide an inviting path along the widened curved concrete walkway.
Rear Deck - Before
Although the front of the house was traditional in style, the rear deck seemed to lack style continuity. The expanse of wood railings made views from interior windows nearly impossible to see through. Early on, our team had to remedy some dangerous elements of the deck including a built-in bench that could have made for a steep drop-off as well as a staircase that led visitors under the deck rather than into the yard.
Rear Deck and Patio -
Today
Beyond relocating the stairs, Two Poppies Design brought farmhouse style to the deck by updating the railings (yes we drilled nearly 1000 holes for new black spindles) and staining the wood structure white. Adding landscaping near the widened staircase creates a welcoming entry onto the deck. With nearby access from the driveway and multiple entry points into the house, the rear deck is perfect for hosting gatherings.
Remember those stone pavers from the old front walkway? They were repurposed for a newly carved out patio - luckily our team had just the right amount to make a spacious patio area. Adding the hardscape allows for a clean walkout from the lower level, while eliminating a muddy trail, and our team just loves this amazing reuse of materials!
Storage Shed - Before
An under-utilized storage shed on the property was in sad shape (yuck!), yet we saw potential for it to become a play space for the homeowners' children (crazy, right?). Moving the shed to its new location in the yard was the first order of business - our team had to build a rig to pull the shed with a tractor to it's new location. Boy, was that a fun day! With our team's handiwork, we added a small porch and made sure the structure was level (and pest-proof).
Playhouse - After
After some serious scrubbing, patching and painting, all that was needed was a galvanized aluminum roof laid over the existing shingle roof. A sweet peekaboo window set in the new door, child-size farmhouse furniture and a few fun accents created the perfect play spot for the family's kids and their friends.
At long last under a canopy of green, our team was able to construct a treehouse for the family's kiddos! Using salvaged wood from a previously torn down fence, we designed and constructed a fun hideaway on the property. New posts secured into the existing tree trunks and into the ground were clad with 1"x4" boards. We topped the enclosed portion of the treehouse with galvanized aluminum corrigated panels for an easy-clean roof. A ship's ladder allows access to the structure. String lights adorn the treehouse for a cozy hiding spot in the leaves!
Treehouse - Today
