week 1 // week 2 // week 3 // week 4 // week 5
Hi guys, remember me? The one with the fugly English garden? ↓↓↓
This is what it looked like the day we moved in almost two years ago. I spruced it up a little last summer by trimming back the tree, but this shows how dismal it used to be. NOT ANYMORE!!! Here’s how it’s looking now.
Ohhhh yeah. I’m so glad I decided to go for it and participated in the One Room Challenge again. My efforts definitely paid off!
My goal was to create an outdoor living space on the patio, but I also decided to tackle the mossy artificial grass in week 2. Best. Decision. Ever. Even now, I’m surprised by how much better it looks. These before and afters make it 100% worth the extra work.
Over by the house, I tidied up and hung these pots along the fence.
We like cooking with fresh herbs, and these are just a few steps outside our kitchen. It’s the perfect set up.
But of course, the patio is where the real magic happened.
I tried to be sensible and not spend too much money on this space since it will only be used a few months out of the year. The only purchases for this project were the bench, chiminea, and lights
We tested out the chiminea with instant-light charcoal, and it radiates so much warmth! I’m so pleased with it, and I know we will be able to spend a lot more time out here because of it. It also brings back memories of home, and having bonfire nights in the back yard.
Obviously the only way to celebrate our new outdoor space was with s’mores! I had to substitute graham crackers with digestive biscuits, and the specialty “American” marshmallows I found at the supermarket were freakishly large. They were still delicious though. I think it’s impossible to mess up s’mores!
I tamed the flower beds, but I’m leaving the plants to do their thing now. The bed in the corner is coming back to life now that it’s warming up, and there should be lovely blooms in a few months.
The lights aren’t super bright, but they add a nice glow in the evenings. It stays light pretty late in the summer with sunset around 9pm, so these are just to warm up the space. They get the job done.
That’s all folks! I hope you enjoyed the transformation! I sure am 🙂
If you haven’t already, be sure to head over to Calling It Home to see hundreds of amazing reveals. I’m really excited to see how all the spaces have turned out, and I know a lot of them will be really stunning. Check out the guest participants >>here, and the featured designers >>here.
C l a r i M i c h e l e 
I still can’t get over what a difference you made to the grass – it looks so much better! And your little patio is so cute and inviting – it’ll be awesome for summer. Did you find Hershey’s or have you gone full Cadbury? 😉
Thank you Lizzie 🙂 I’m excited for summer weather to finally be here! Didn’t find Hershey’s, so this time I went with Sainsbury’s chocolate. I think I’ll have to give Cadbury a try next!
Looks so clean and well manicured. Congrats on completing the challenge and creating a lovely space for warmer days ahead!
Wow! It looks great! You guys can have outdoor parties now and be all fancy in your swish new entertaining area (instead of dying of embarrassment and apologizing to everyone for the state of the yard). So glad you can enjoy your beautiful backyard now – you’ve earned it! xx
Thank you! Yes I can’t wait to entertain out here this summer 🙂