Garden Makeover

before/during

Our garden makeover has been a lot slower than the interiors - turns out plants take quite a bit of time to grow! It's an ongoing project, especially now that I'm studying garden design and have lots more elaborate ideas. We've been working on bits and pieces in stages with a couple more big changes planned, I thought I would share where we're up to now as I've had so many lovely messages when I post snippets on Instagram stories. 

Last year David started by digging out a border along the wall on the lefthand side with old wooden sleepers as edging. Our garden sloped down to a weird triangle point which was previously just mushy lawn, so the soil which was dug out for the border was used to level this out a bit. My Nanny is a keen gardener and so took cuttings of their lovely plants for us to get started. One year on, and they are looking beautiful! The bees seem to think so too.

We left it like this for a while as we were deciding what our best quick fixes would be. Then, one weekend last July, we transformed it all! David began by doubling up the fence slats which gives us much more privacy and stops Daisy peeking through to bark at the neighbours. We painted this in Cuprinol 'Coastal Mist' which made such a difference. Though it did take three coats! This was used for the trellis too. Next up was painting the concrete block wall - if we weren't trying to do this quickly and on a tiny budget David would have rendered the wall first. 

After that we just added a selection of solar string lights (eBay), hooks and hanging baskets. It's quite strange accessorising a garden really. The metal wall decorations belonged to my late uncle, as well as the ceramic plant pots, mini bird table and wooden chairs. David cut a palette in half which we painted with leftover fence paint, it's really handy as a wee drinks table for if you're lying on the picnic blanket or in the hammock. Our hammock (also eBay) was a gift to ourselves at the start of lockdown and honestly it's one of the best things we've ever bought. So comfy and relaxing, it fits both of us in and the stand can be taken apart to fit in the shed.

Since then we got a second hand gazebo which has made a lovely sheltered seating area for the evenings, decorated with my vintage fabric scrap bunting. Of course we then made a cocktail bar which was a lot of fun! Now we just need some more sunshine to enjoy it all. 

Next on our list is French doors. David is keen to get them fitted before winter as the back door has seen better days. After that he wants to patio the area which is currently gravel but that will probably be next year. Oh, and I've still got to paint the wall behind the bar which is the back of the garage and goes around to the side.