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Confession Time – My BackYard is Ugly (and the Plan to Make it Gorgeous)!

February 3, 2015  Garden | Uncategorized

Love this blue stone patio and the eclectic mix of furniture kellyelko.com

I have a confession to make.

When I share photos of my back yard including my eclectic patio, my mop bucket planters, and my dresser planter, I’m hiding a deep, dark, shameful secret.

Out of view and thanks to some strategically arranged camera angles, lies this horror.

Before backyard with landscaping plan kellyelko.com

Before backyard with landscaping plan kellyelko.com

Mind you, these pics were taken right before spring last year so nothing is blooming and it’s pretty barren.

Before backyard with landscaping plan kellyelko.com

These tiny boxwoods just aren’t cutting it.

Before backyard with landscaping plan kellyelko.com

Before backyard with landscaping plan kellyelko.com

Air conditioners on full display.

Before backyard with landscaping plan kellyelko.com

Before backyard with landscaping plan kellyelko.com

There’s a light at the end of my ugly backyard tunnel thanks to my fabulously talented friend Loi Thai who created this plan to help my yard go from sad to fab.

Landscaping plans for a gorgeous backyard kellyelko.com

I love it – the layers of plantings that will give me much need privacy and interest.

This is actually a pic of Loi’s own garden (which is amazing) and as you can see from the drawing, it shows how the hedge of holly will look with a bench as a focal point.

Create a focal point in your landscaping with a bench

Make sure see Loi’s post filled with more details and tons of inspiration photos to get a better idea of what the finished yard will look like.

I can’t wait to sit on my vintage glider with an ice cold margarita while gazing at my gorgeous garden (fingers crossed)!

 

What’s your favorite thing about your back yard?

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Comments

  1. [email protected] this top that

    February 3, 2015 at 6:52 am

    i would hardly call your current backyard ugly but looking forward to seeing what you are going to do.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      February 3, 2015 at 8:46 am

      Ok maybe not ugly, I should have said it’s hideous!

      Reply
  2. Heidi @ Decor & More

    February 3, 2015 at 7:05 am

    How exciting — and fun to think about!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      February 3, 2015 at 8:46 am

      It is – after 5 years living in this house, I can’t wait to have my yard ship shape Heidi!

      Reply
  3. Riley

    February 3, 2015 at 7:19 am

    Just an fyi: your “statement lighting” link appears to be broken.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      February 3, 2015 at 8:44 am

      Thanks for letting me know Riley – all fixed!

      Reply
  4. Cecilia

    February 3, 2015 at 8:17 am

    We used to have a beautiful backyard – green grass, lots of flowering plants and then I got my two puppies who proceeded to eat everything they could. What they didn’t eat, they trampled. Oh dear. I guess that makes them my favorite thing. Ha. Now that they are two, maybe we can replant.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      February 3, 2015 at 8:45 am

      I have a puppy and so far, she’s been a good girl! Fingers crossed she stays that way!

      Reply
  5. cassie

    February 3, 2015 at 9:22 am

    loi is SO talented when it comes to gardening, and pretty much most things, i think. can’t wait to see his plan come to life!

    Reply
    • Tone on Tone Loi Thai

      February 3, 2015 at 3:51 pm

      Awwww – thanks, Cassie!!! You, Kelly and I need to meet up in Maine 🙂

      Reply
  6. Cindy

    February 3, 2015 at 10:49 am

    I don’t think your yard is horrible. I can’t wait to see the changes. Give the boxwood time. They fill in beautifully.

    Cindy

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      February 3, 2015 at 3:28 pm

      Thanks Cindy – I want instant gratification – these are 4 years old! I may move them

      Reply
  7. Darlene

    February 3, 2015 at 11:19 am

    Holly is a great choice. When I look out my kitchen window, which I am forced to do every time I do dishes, I see my pergola, covered in wisteria. In the summer, it’s beautiful, but in the winter it looks like a giant birds nest. The birds see it that way too and collect in it during blizzards. We hang lots of bird feeders there and some birdhouses, but even that doesn’t take away the ‘brown, dead branch’ effect. Just beyond that however, are my lovely holly bushes, always green (and providing plenty of branches for Christmas decor). They are so low maintenance, we never do a thing to them, no watering, fertilizing – nothing. They were little bitty things when we planted them, not more than 12 inches high and now they are easily 12 feet high. I will confess, it is my dream to plant a holly maze in my 2 acre backyard with a small ice skating pond in the middle, complete with a fire pit and benches – I can dream can’t I?

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      February 3, 2015 at 3:30 pm

      I love holly too – had it in my first house. At least you get to see and smell the beautiful wisteria most of the year. Can’t wait for spring so I can get planting! Oh, and every year, my neighbors makes an ice rink in their backyard – it’s so fun!

      Reply
  8. Becky

    February 3, 2015 at 11:24 am

    well, I love your deck and I would love to have a stone patio like yours. It’s really pretty. I don’t think it’s quite as bad as you say but I understand where you are coming from. You’re looking for that backyard retreat and what you have planned is going to take your nice yard to a gorgeous yard. I unfortunately have the same problem as some of your other followers, she’s a 70lb Akita shepherd and she eats or digs up everything we try to do, literally. We love her so it’s a trade off right now. Good luck with your project and I hope you share lots of pictures!

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      February 3, 2015 at 3:31 pm

      Luckily, my little Sushi hasn’t ransacked my yard … yet! We don’t have a full fence so we always take her out on a leash – but I’m sure if we left her out there, she’d dig up everything in her path too!

      Reply
      • Tone on Tone Loi Thai

        February 3, 2015 at 3:50 pm

        I’m sure Miss Sushi is very well behaved! 🙂

        Reply
  9. Catherine

    February 3, 2015 at 12:20 pm

    WoW Kelly–it’s going to be beaUtiful!
    When I came back to my mother’s house to build an addition to the face and renovate everything else, putting some focus on the yard/garden couldn’t be ignored. We worked with a landscape architect too to expand my grand ideas. The outcome to EVERYthing is beautiful and so very worth it!
    Can’t wait to see yours as it takes shape!
    Catherine

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      February 3, 2015 at 3:31 pm

      Thanks so much Catherine! You’re smart not to ignore the yard – it always seems to be left for last!

      Reply
  10. Debbie

    February 3, 2015 at 12:41 pm

    My yard is a work in progress. I have planted flowers in beds along the perimeter. The problem is I have septic laterals that run through the back yard and I cannot plant anything over them so I have a 150’x75′ grass area. No trees:-( Now if I could just get the Japanese Beetles to quit eating my roses life would be good.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      February 3, 2015 at 3:32 pm

      I hate Japanese Beetles – wonder if they still sell that beetle bag I remember my parents used when I was a kid? It trapped all of those bad boys!

      Reply
  11. Patty Lucas

    February 3, 2015 at 3:19 pm

    I saw this yesterday on Loi’s website and I loved it. My only question is would it survive in Connecticut? I would love to do this in my yard.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      February 3, 2015 at 3:33 pm

      I am in NJ and I think it would work for you too. I’ve had holly at another house and my hydrangeas do really well here. Ask your garden center to make sure – good luck!

      Reply
      • Tone on Tone Loi Thai

        February 3, 2015 at 10:11 pm

        Great advice to ask the local nursery!!!

        Reply
  12. Tone on Tone Loi Thai

    February 3, 2015 at 3:48 pm

    I had so much fun, Kelly Thanks for sharing 🙂 Your yard has great bones and lots of potential – it’s flat, bright and spacious. Hope you can use some of the ideas. It’s actually a very low maintenance plan. Keep me posted, and let me know if you have any questions. Ciao ciao

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      February 3, 2015 at 10:49 pm

      I will Loi – can’t wait for spring so I can get planting!

      Reply
  13. JaneEllen

    February 3, 2015 at 4:50 pm

    Does anybody’s yard look pretty after winter gets thru with it? I can see way over to a neighbors yard when our trees are bare, like it much better with leaves on trees to block view. We’re up above some of neighbors yards on small hill, it’s nice in some instances but not necessarily others. From the photos your yard is pretty darned nice, how do you keep it so nice? Your landscaping plan looks pretty, will look forward to seeing the results. You have nice sized yard also. Enjoy it when it’s done.
    Happy week

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      February 3, 2015 at 10:51 pm

      Thanks JaneEllen – my hubby is a lawn fanatic and makes sure the grass always looks lush. I have very close neighbors all around – the people behind me have a deck that overlooks my yard – so very tall holly bushes are definitely on my list!

      Reply
  14. Marlene Stephenson

    February 3, 2015 at 6:15 pm

    My back yard is a wip but hope to do more this spring.I don’t think you ever are truly finished with anything you live in for very long and i have been here 15 years. I can’t wait to see the changes you make to your yard even though it is pretty already.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      February 3, 2015 at 10:52 pm

      True – these things evolve over time. Been in this house 5 years and been wanting to work on the yard every spring – hopefully this is my year!

      Reply
  15. Taylor @ TayRose

    February 4, 2015 at 12:19 am

    Looks wonderful Kelly! How amazing to have such a talented friend! Can’t wait to see the transformation!

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      February 4, 2015 at 11:33 am

      Thanks Taylor – and yes, thanks to Loi, I know my yard will look amazing!

      Reply
  16. [email protected]

    February 4, 2015 at 8:54 pm

    Loi is gifted!!!!

    Reply
    • Tone on Tone Loi Thai

      February 5, 2015 at 11:37 am

      Thanks, Julia 🙂 xoxo

      Reply
  17. vel

    February 4, 2015 at 10:41 pm

    You are so lucky to have Loi on board with this one! He is just amazing and a real nice person!!!! Can’t wait to see you get started!

    Reply
    • Tone on Tone Loi Thai

      February 5, 2015 at 11:38 am

      Thanks so much, Vel!! xoxo

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Limelight Hydrangea Growing Tips says:
    August 13, 2015 at 4:30 am

    […] Luckily, I have a friend with an amazing green thumb and he drew me up a landscape plan that included Limelight hydrangeas. […]

    Reply

KELLY

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Join me as I decorate my 100 year old home, scour thrift stores, create pretty things, putter in my peony and hydrangea filled garden, and mix up a mean cocktail all with a touch of sarcasm and a side of bacon - Cheers!



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Love where you live by mixing high and low, new and old to create a home that shows off your personality. My mantra ... simple projects equals more time for cocktails!
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