A month after the complete renovation of our front yard, we decided to put together a selection of the photos previously uploaded to allow you to view the renovation from start to finish. You’ll also notice that these have a description of the action. Enjoy!
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Looks like there is a small chip off the old block caused by the placement of the new block next to the other new block. Also, irrigation is fully installed.
The bench has arrived! Most of the irrigation is also installed. Only a bit left to do before the final steps.
Today the irrigation installation began. All that level land was trenched, the plumber ran his lines, the control box was mounted, and the crew cleaned up with such attention that the crew manager was picking chunks of dirt off the sidewalk with his bare hands. More irrigation installation tomorrow.
The crew finalized a lot of beds and installed the metal edging today. The plumber comes tomorrow to get the hookups ready for the irrigation system. The irrigation crew came by and flagged the yard which denotes where junctions, nozzles, and lines will be placed. We also have decided to have a tree service come and address our silver maple out front.
Geno came by the house early this morning and as always, was awesome. He was able to answer all of our questions and put all of our concerns (read: nervousness) to rest. The post will have trim below the bench that will cover the parts that didn’t look perfect, the post will be stained so this color will not be the final color, and all else is now wonderful in postville (not the Iowa kind). As we met, his crew appeared and began working on the grading. I had to run to work, but Dana documented all day–including the arrival and installation of the boulders. Photos follow.
The initial installation of the post occurred today. There were a couple of issues. First, it was unclear when the installer was going to do the installation. Even after a call to our architect/GM Geno who immediately (Geno is always wonderful, accessible and on top of things) called the installer and reported back that the installer was on his way and would arrive in about 15 minutes. Dana waited around for a final hour and when the installer still didn’t show, she went to run her errands and hit the gym. When she returned she found the initial phase of the post installation completed but there were some issues with that as well. First, the color is a bit harsh against the bricks. Second, the bottom of the post, as it connects with the base, is chipped and it is not clear yet how much of it will be visible after the trim that will cover that base is installed. Finally, there is a gash missing out of one side of the post. Dana spoke with Geno who said he would come by first thing tomorrow morning to meet with us about it. Even with the issues, however, it is clear that the post is going to add visual drama (in a positive way) to the front of the house. More on the post in future posts.
Today the concrete guys returned to cut lines in the concrete, applied a curing agent to the city sidewalk and removed the forms from the remaining concrete. Photos follow.
From mounds of dirt, the design suddenly emerges, in all its concrete glory! Brilliant!
No turning back now. The demo of the hardscape and the prep for concrete has now occurred. It is so wonderful to no longer have all that dead and dying debris. Tomorrow the concrete guys will take care of the three f’s: forming, foundation, and filling. More photos tomorrow!