In the Beginning

I love magazines and the stories they tell. Beautiful spaces all so wonderfully turned out. However, the finished project is only part of the story. I always find the process of how things were created so interesting, this is the process of my own garden. From grim to glorious in three months.
When I first saw the yard I was instantly inspired and knew exactly how it was going to look when I got done with it. Little did I know what was ahead. I knew it wouldn’t take long and once it started, it didn’t.
The summer of ’06 when we moved in, there were still a cast of workmen running around banging and sawing day and night. It wasn’t until April ’07, almost two years after buying the property that things got moving. Here is the evolution.

The winter  of my discontent '05/'06


Summer '06, the neighbors car completes the setting. 

Spring '07 that's thirteen loads of top soil.

At last, some progress, the beds are installed.

The fence starts to go up.

The shed arrives. 

The sod goes down.

At last, the dream is real.
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HRH COLLECTION said...

wow! that is an amazing and beautiful transformation!

The Devine Life said...

Thank you. It's makes all the difference.

Elizabeth said...

Wow! amazing!

Scot Meacham Wood said...

o.m.g.

that is absolutely amazing. thanks for the play-by-play. it is truly beautiful.

congratulations.

Lauren said...

Hi, I'm a friend of Eddie Ross's and have been checking in your blog for a while & was so excited to open up my Country Living today & see your garden!!! We're buying a house right now & I can't tell you how inspiring your garden is for me right now & I'm just so excited to try some of the things you've done!!! just beautiful!!!

MEADE DESIGN GROUP said...

This is such a cool entry - You can see the careful thought in each of the decisions that make this garden a small treasure.

Congratulations Michael!

Unknown said...

Michael,

Perfect timing my husband and I are working on a shed idea for our home backyard in California. The concept to completion is such a wonderful vision quest it is so worth it. Thanks!

Bette

The Devine Life said...

I am so glad you enjoyed it. Looking back it was fun, but like so many projects you need vision and well.
Good luck!

sweetlifeinthevalley said...

I saw your wonderful transformation in Country Living. I love how you to took something so ordinary and turned it into something lovely & exceptional!

Snooty Primadona said...

Wow! What a beautiful, successful project! I plant my own 25' x 25' garden every year, but it never has looked this beautiful. Job well done. I'm duly impressed.

Holly said...

unbelievable vision & impeccable execution! but your shed looks nothing like the Country Living version. where did you get yours? that center entry is so much cleaner...

The Devine Life said...

The shed in fact came from a local resource, Backyard Sheds & Gazebos Inc. They work with the Amish who build them and can customize all their models. We had the two windows moved from the front to the sides and the door framed for French doors. Let me know if you need more information. All the best Michael

Holly said...

Great info. I've found a local place that can do it just as you described. Thanks so much.

Tricia - Avolli said...

After pouring over the images in your post I just noticed a lovely detail that wasn't obvious at first but clearly makes a huge difference in the overall appeal....it appears that you added "thatch" (or something like it) to the roof of the shed and to the exterior of the raised bed boxes. Is this true? It is wonderful!

Tricia - Avolli

red ticking said...

LOVELY....

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