Home Improvements Galore
When we last spoke, the wife and I had just finished pulling out the shrubs in front.
As I blogged about before, the next step was the addition of some edger stones to help make some new flower beds:
Now, after a quick pressure washing of the front of the house (and removing the white shutters):
We also decided to make a little flower bed over the tree we had cut down last year:
I also want to highlight our new frontdoor that we installed with the aid of my parents when they dropped by:
Now, flash forward to today. My stepdad and his amish friend came over to help us with a major task: pouring the concrete pad we’ve been neglecting for so long.
First, a little reworking of the forming was necessary:
Oops, after reforming it it made the pit deeper than it started! We need some filler, the concrete is already ordered. I know, let’s use some of these excess stones we’ve got laying around:
Good job guys. We’re ready.
What, you mean the concrete won’t be here for another hour?
We need something to do.
I know, let’s hang some shutters (and note the door has been painted. Annie did it this past weekend):
Good work. Now here’s the truck.
LUNCH BREAK
BACK TO WORK
Now a few hours later, and presto:
And check out this today pic of the house:
For a comparison, here are two “BEFORE” shots as to how both projects looked when we moved into the house last year:
April 16th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Looks much better. It still seems to boxy in the front though to me. I can’t think of anything to help though, maybe another giant spruce on the other side. You could probably have one moved in for $TEXAS.
The concrete looks good to me, until I noticed the apparent lack of any rebar. This would concern me mightily, although I believe your plans are to move sooner rather than later, so it might not affect you.
April 17th, 2007 at 5:21 am
We had rebar available and wire mesh, but since we ordered nylon fiber in the concrete they said it wouldn’t be necessary to use the rebar.
April 17th, 2007 at 5:23 am
Also agree with the boxy comment. We’re working on some landscaping ideas to help fix that, but we’re both pretty please with ourselves with what we’ve accomplished thus far.
April 17th, 2007 at 7:39 am
grandpa did a similar pad, no rebar or wire, just the fiber.
looks good yo. i agree it needs something else out front, but i’m not sure what. once you get those flower beds growing good, that should improve things though
April 17th, 2007 at 7:57 am
I think the brick then siding doesn’t help either, with the boxiness. I’m putting all my brainpower into coming up with an unboxy technique, but so far have nothing. The blue shutters and door definitely help break things up.
ps, that amish guy looks very amishy
April 18th, 2007 at 8:22 am
regarding, “…just finished pulling out the shrubs in front…”
that’s what she said
April 19th, 2007 at 7:21 am
Wow - that looks great!! You guys rock! Won’t you come to Zionsville to help me with some projects at my house??
April 19th, 2007 at 7:26 am
the amish guy looks like a cyborg.
maybe some small trees (ie fingering redbud) out front would help break things up?