Weekend Project: Curb Appeal

Well, we did it! Our first project is now complete... well, it's almost complete, we still have a few other things we want to add before we can completely cross it off our list, but we're just happy to have made as much progress as we did for as little moolah as we spent.

Behold, I give you Operation Curb Appeal.

Here is the not-to-bad starting point.


Here are the spoils of our $200 Home Depot shopping spree.


Here is the (almost) finished product.


I think it's a huge improvement. Everything just looks "fresher", as though our house spent a week at a spa and returned to us well-rested.

Here's what we did:

• Replaced the builders standard, totally 80's house numbers for these slick brushed stainless ones.
• Replaced the beat-up mail box.
• Inserted solar powered path lights in a brushed stainless finish.
• Planted the front bed with some annuals, perrenials and ground cover with interesting leaf shapes and colors.
• Added a bouganvilla plant for some height. Our hope is that it will grow up the soon to be placed trellis and cover up some of that drab grey brick wall.
• Lastly, I cleared an easy water run off round the sides of the beds, so that water can easily drain away rather than sitting and creating a big muddy mess.
• As a finishing touch, we added a hanging fern to soften the porch and
• Threw down a bright, fresh welcome mat to finish things off.

What is still on the cards:

• Repainting the house in a sage green color, with a red front door.
• Adding a bright red bench.
• Replacing those ugly, outdated light fixtures for contemporary brushed stainless ones.
• Planting the facing bed.
• Replenishing grass seed.
• Maybe adding a third bed in front of that little retaining wall
• Oh, and fixing the retaining wall where it has come loose.

We're really happy with our first little project. I know what you're thinking... "What about the inside?" Well, we hear ya. BUT, with closing costs, tax being due and my upcoming visa renewal we need some time to save up for those larger projects. We do have some big'uns on the cards for the summer. I will let you know more as we get to them. But for now, our el'cheapo first project was a good one for us to tackle.

Our front yard is the first thing people see when they get to our new house. It was an instant facelift! We feel that it was the best way for us to spend our $200 for the most bang. What do y'all think?