While it was on our long wishlist, we hadn't originally counted on making over the backyard as we weren't even sure how far we were going to get with the interior of the house. Consequently, it ended up near the end of preparations that Becky Ives, Landscape Designer extraordinaire from Gardens by Rebecca, was approached about making over the back yard. At nearly the last minute, Becky didn't hesitate to agree to help, and thanks to her incredible enthusiasm and can do attitude, the back yard was miraculously transformed into a new paradise for the Huddleston family! Another key person who significantly contributed to the backyard makeover was Scott Flury of Custom Deck & Fence Maintenance, Inc. Scott loved the idea as well, for the pure sake of giving back to our communty. As a result to Scott's quick recruiting of suppliers and contractors, a new back deck was built, including new french doors that opened up to it! Thanks to all the hardwork of a large team of volunteers led by Becky and Scott, the Huddleston family not only came home to a newly renovated home, but a home that opened up to a new beautiful backyard, set up perfectly for family gatherings around the fire, a deck to relax on, enough room to play volleyball, and one very happy dog!
Below left: Backyard before photo. According to Becky Ives "One large challenge was a large tree that had blown down just prior to beginning the project. It did give us the opportunity to possibly get a set of French doors (something the family really wanted) and having a deck built. Flow from indoors out would give great useable outdoor space."
Above right: Backyard after photo. Thanks to A Cut Above Exteriors, the French doors were acquired and installed. In order to get the deck built, Scott Flury recruited NW Fence and Deck, NW Deckscapes, The Outdoor Wood Store, and Scott's own company, Custom Deck & Fence Maintenance, Inc.. New Sod from JB Sod and a fresh covering of bark from Boring Bark finished off the area. Becky Ives, Gardens by Rebecca, acquired the swing and refinished it with help from our volunteer crew.
Below left: Backyard
before photo. "The patio cover had rusty metal poles that did not lend
themselves to the cozy feeling we wanted to give the entire garden area. The
apartment building that was built a few years ago, does not lend itself to much
privacy", Ives continues.
The
Outdoor Wood Store supplied the lumber and replaced the front poles. According
to Ives, "With a new nice view from the new deck, you almost don’t
notice the apartments!
But the new plants including a Mountain Hemlock and a Sango kaku Maple will
grow up to help with the privacy."
Below left: Side yard before photo. "The backyard had long suffered in a lot of shade that did not allow for a healthy lawn... Something this active family really could use! Especially the north side of the house had become a muddy pathway that was unusable during the rainy months" Ives said.
Above right: Side
yard after photo. According to Ives, "An avid gardener herself, Tracy had
lined many beds around the yard with a single row of bricks. We were able to
pick all of them up and combine them into a lovely, useable path along the north
side of the house."
Below left: Side yard before. Ives recounts "Ivy, Ivy Everywhere!! Bless the many volunteers and hours of pulling!"
Above right: A unique birdbath made of recycled items was a finishing touch made by Landscape Designer, Rebecca Ives, Gardens by Rebecca
Below: Notice the army of volunteers working on the yard. They were contributing their time out of sheer willingness to help and contribute to their community. This is what it's all about! Oregon Dream Makeover is forever thankful to our volunteers!!!
Above right: Tracie Flowers is shown sanding the kitchen cabinets here, however she also brought her daughter Kylie and the two of them selflessly worked very hard in the yard as well. She wasn't picky about where she worked, she just wanted to help!
Below left: Backyard before. This is the large tree (on left) that had been blown over in a wind storm just prior to the project beginning. The Trampoline had also been damaged.
Above right: Backyard after. A little-used area beside the house became a lovely perennial garden. The new deck will soon be shaded as a wonderful Stewartia tree (from Jaycee Newman) which grows just off the deck.
Below left: Oregon Dream Makeover co-founder Jocelyn Webber's 3 year old son Bayler is shown here. This was a family affair, and what a great way to help instill values in our kids! (Many cookies consumed in process.)
Oregon Dream Makeover co-fournder Ragan Corliss's son, Chase, shown right with his buddies Dustin and Andreas. ("OK, so I bribed them with pizza" says Corliss.)
Below left: Front yard before: According to Ives "The front was not particularly inviting with overgrown ground covers and shrubs blocking the windows. This busy family also needed more parking spaces."
Above right: Front yard after. New plants, new pots, fresh bark, and a wider
parking area with new gravel. Double
J Construction provided the excavation services to create the additional
parking.
Below left: Backyard before photo. "One challenge was the south end of the yard. It was sloped, so water ran off the lawn and into the vegetable garden and under the fence into the neighbor’s yards" according to Ives.
Above right: Same backyard corner after. Ives used her ingenuity to recycle the broken concrete from the front yard to create a corner specifically for composting. The garden area was cleaned up and raised planter boxes were installed!
Below left: Backyard after. A “new” refurbished set of patio furniture provided by Ives completed the patio upgrade.
Above right: Boulders from Clackamas Landscape Supply and the expertise of Baseline Landscapes built up the side yard to reduce the slope and reduce runoff.
Below left: Tracy
already had several shabby chic garden art items. Ives repositioned and grouped
them with new plants creating beautiful yardscapes.
Above middle: A water bowl and some little visitors decorate the new garden.
Below left: "Becky Ives, backyard mastermind, AKA our Landscape Designer extraordinaire. She's going to hate me for including this photo after she had been out working hard in the rain, but I say she still looks beautiful!" says Corliss.
Above right: Chip Away Stump Griding grinded the stump for us.
Below: Husband and wife, Jim and Rita. More hard working volunteers in the yard! "It brings tears to my eyes when I look at these photos and all the amazing people who contributed to this project... thank you all!" Ragan Corliss
Professional "after"
photos by Frank DeSantis (As marked)
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