I missed the deadline for the One Room Challenge. But our backyard project is 99% complete. Woo hoo! Read on to see what remains on the to do list and more importantly, what is done as part of the One Room Challenge Belated Backyard Patio Reveal.
We had so much going on during the final week of the One Room Challenge! My husband started work travel again, our internet went out and the technician appointment got mixed up, a crazy heat wave set in, and mother-in-law came into town in the midst of all this. Then the following Monday, our car got hit! It was parked and no one was hurt thank goodness. We were due to head out of town for a family getaway and had to rent a car due to the damage of our own car. So many things!
Before I go further, let’s look at some before photos. of the backyard.
When we first moved in.
It was really a blank slate and we did a few projects like creating a planter bed, and staining the fences, but we just scratched the surface.
When we started the ORC.
When we started the One Room Challenge, we had already contracted out replacing part of our fences, a back retaining wall and a gravel path install. It is hard to tell from photos, but the backyard is on a slope and parts of the ground were very un-level, and we needed a solution to prevent erosion and create level surfaces. The concrete patio slab was also cracked and starting to lift in places.
Back to the update!
In that eighth and final weekend, sweet husband pitched in to help unload mulch, topsoil, rolls of sod, pea gravel, and did work on the electrical. The team worked so hard through the record breaking heat. It got up to 108 degrees, which is unheard of in the Seattle area!
Also, have I mentioned the stairs that lead up to our house?
Imagine carrying bucket upon bucket up these steps!
Once the main work was done, hubby and I got to do some fun stuff. Well we think of it all as fun lol.
Here’s what we did:
Planting and mulching along the retaining wall.
We also did some planting along the fence and back retaining wall. In the Week 5 post I discussed landscape options.
Add rock border to one section of flower bed.
There is a bit of a drop off to the flower bed, so I moved these rocks to create a border and barrier. These rocks had been used in various areas of the yard previously and I wasn’t so sure how they would work in the renovated space, but now they have a home! In Week 4 I shared what this area looked like with our DIY step stones and moss and how to plant moss between pavers.
More patio furniture staining and placement.
During Week 6 I shared my staining process for the IKEA outdoor couch that we debated giving away. A little cleaning and staining did the trick to get us through at least one more season with it. During winter we had purchased new gray replacement cushions from Amazon; I linked them at the end of the post. We also have some chairs that my husband stained and we used them to flank the fire pit table.
During Week 7 I shared tips to paint a fire pit and now you can see it in place. We haven’t actually lit a fire though because it has been too warm! It will be great to gather here in fall.
We have been hanging out here as much as we can. Eating dinner, sprinkler time for my son, running our toes through the grass- you get the idea!
What is left to do?
- Attach 4 more capstones (you can some of them stacked in the background on the wall above). By the way, I scored these lion head concrete planters off Craigslist! They fit the space just right and they go with our Tudor Revival style house.
2. Connect irrigation system to plumbing. We’ve been hand watering in the meantime.
3. Add woodchips under the trees. We had originally planned to do pea gravel but the arborist recommended wood chips.
Next year we would like to move the shed and create a fire pit area, dining area, hot tub space (my husband is pushing for this one!), or maybe a combination. What would you choose?? We also would like to add a pergola over the patio to protect from bird droppings, sap and all the rest of the items that drop from pine trees!
Shop The Patio Look
Some items are exact links and a few others are similar, like the lion planters and a few of the pillows. These are affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if you make a purchase via clicking a link, but there is no additional cost to you. Feel free to read our disclosure policy.
Thanks for reading One Room Challenge Belated Backyard Patio Reveal!
So happy you visited. Hope you enjoyed your the backyard patio reveal!
For more garden related posts click here. You can follow me over on Instagram for more glimpses into my house!
I am in love with your Craigs List find! WOW, I would have been so excited about that one! Loving your yard, I wish mine was as well put together. We are a work in progress around here, but we are enjoying the ride while we work here. You have a vision that has definitely come together! Congrats! Love it!
Thank you! The family sold us 4 planters total for way less than the price of 1. They had just bought the house and were totally revamping the yard. You are very sweet. I appreciate your kindness 💗
It looks amazing. When I saw the picture on Instagram I didn’t realise that the lion was on a planter. Great score! I’m sure you are enjoying many wonderful days and evenings in this space. Great job.
Thank you! We’ve been loving out in the yard. My mother-in-law was visiting while we were finishing up and she got to enjoy the space too. We are so excited!
I love how you have styled it all! Amazing!!! Thanks for all the great info.!
Hi Gina, thank you! Thanks for visiting!
Such a great transformation Marie!! You’ve done so much! And hopefully that heat has died down!
Thank you Laurie 🤗! The heat has subsided and we are loving it out here!
It looks amazing, Marie. Well done!
Thank you! The contractor did a great job. We’re so happy 💗
Great job!!
Thank you Leslie!!
Marie! You all did such a phenomenal job in your backyard!! Love the hangout space, retainer wall addition and the area for vines to grown on your fence ❤❤❤❤.
Aww thank you Steph! I’m so happy you took a look & totally appreciate your sweet comment!! 🥰
Marie, it looks just amazing!!! What a great before and after! So happy we have such great weather for you all to enjoy the hard work!
Thanks Melba! I’m so happy you like it. The team we hired did really great work. You will have to visit soon 💗
You did an awesome job! No way I would be able to do anything in that heat. I thought it was hot here.
I love everything and know you will enjoy it so much!
Thank you so very much! It’s been so great to have it done 💗
I am amazed at how much you accomplished in such a short time. Enjoy the rest of summer and all of fall in your update backyard!
Thanks Paula! We have been finding any excuse to go out there 😄 We feel very grateful to have this space 💗
Your yard is just beautiful! What a (literal) ton of work you’ve done and it turned out so perfect! Now you need to have some slow days to enjoy it!!❤️
Thanks for stopping by Traci! I’m so happy you did. Yesterday we were calculating how much material was schlepped up to make this space 😄
It turned out beautifully! Well worth all that effort!!
Thank you! We’ve been enjoying ourselves out there. And it’s nice to look out and see the finished yard too 😊
Wow! Such a beautiful transformation! I bet your backyard patio is going to give you so many years of enjoyment!
Thank you! We are so grateful for this space! We’ve already had so much fun out here. 😊
What a beautiful transformation!! I bet it is so relaxing?
Thank you! Yes! It’s so nice to sit out here and listen to the birds.
Those planters!!! I am in love! They really made the space go to a whole different level! Marie, it turned out amazing. Now, enjoy the summer in your garden! Blogging from the garden time!
Aren’t they cool?? Thanks Melba! I’m so glad you think so- you have such a good eye. Can’t wait until you can visit.
Everything you have achieved so far in your backyard looks just amazing and you should be proud of your efforts! I’m delighted to feature your post this week at our Tuesday Turn About Link Party. See you there!
Oh thank you so much Michelle! I’m excited to share praises with the others who worked on the space like my husband and the contractor we hired. The contractor brings his family to help him and we’ve gotten to know them well. You made my day!
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Gorgeous!!! Your backyard makeover is amazing.
Hugs,
Kippi
Thanks so much! 🤗 We feel so lucky to have this space.
I always look forward to your ongoing house projects. The yard looks great!
Hugs,
RR
Oh that is so sweet to hear. Thanks for stopping by! 🤗
I love your beautiful patio. So relaxing. Congratulations on your feature on Inspire Me Monday.
Ahh thank you so much Janet! I feel so honored to be featured there!!
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