Living - Patio Perching

Hard to believe that tomorrow marks the end of the Summer for the V household.  Is it me or did this Summer just fly by?!  Thinking the unusually mild weather had something to do with that sentiment but you won’t find me complaining about it.  I’ll take the mild weather any day.  We were able to spend a lot of time on our patio this Summer as a result.  As my IG feed indicates, major patio perching happened filled with loads of simple, seasonal fare and plenty o' wine. 

I hold a soft spot in my heart for the patio/pond sitch as it was one of my first DIY projects.  Long and short of it is that I got a quote for it and the pond alone was in the $20K range.  Um, no.  I can’t afford to pay attention let alone pay that kind of money for a water feature.  So, my mother-in-law and I tackled it ourselves.  I spoke about the project here and here way back when.  I also planted every tree and shrub (almost 60) on my property with the exception of the 3 huge trees in back and a few big pines in front.  I was a busy gal but I saved a ton by doing it myself and now am thoroughly enjoying the fruits of my labor.

It's back to school this week for P so that means more time for me to dream up the next project 'round these parts.

All photos and styling by Emily Vanderputten 

kisses,  mrs. V

Tales from the Projects - DIY Paver Patio & Pond

Sneak Peek – Patio & Pond

Here is a peek at one of our little ol’ projects.  And by little, I mean HUGE.  A few years ago, Mr. V and I decided to rip out the old rotting deck that came with the house, and replace it with a nice little paver patio.  After a little more discussion, we thought it would be a great idea to also incorporate a small water feature.

Both ideas started out small and ended up quite another thing entirely.  And as is our custom, we did all the work ourselves.  I’ll save all the gory details for another day, but I will tell you this.  It was hell.  Most labor intensive work I have ever done.  At one point, I may have been spotted vomiting off the back of a tailgate from exertion.

It was completed in two phases over the course of a few months.  And we saved $18,000 (just for pond alone) doing it ourselves.  And it was worth every ounce of sweat equity.  I will take better pictures this spring when things come back to life but you should be able to get an idea of the sad ‘before’ and the progression towards the ‘after’ state.

The deck was just over that dirt patch from the french doors to fence

We dug this with shovels - much bigger footprint than old deck

Laying out pattern of tumbled pavers

Paver patio complete - next step landscaping along fence + slab steps

Pond will be sited just off the patio near grill and back to Rose of Sharon bushes

We modified an arbor from Lowe's to function as gate - arborvitaes planted just on other side of fence - down pipe has since been moved to side of house

Wild phase of patio - mr. V HATED the lush look - I lived for it!

Slab steps - we had to shim LH one to get it level due to natural variation in stone

we moved TONS of dirt and brought in extra to build up the back for top waterfall

you can see proximity to patio

Pond - landscaping is in its second season here

 

Arborvitaes along fence are much more mature here and provide much needed screening

View towards pond - mr. V prefers this clean look - not me!!

Plantings have a few more seasons

kisses,  mrs. V