New Yard - sharing

[michaelv]

Friends, Strangers, Neighbors...

Have had a low profile on the boards for a while. Big project in the works....complete remodel of front yard...

Special thanks on this one go out to our friends who have kindly not joked about how long this project has been in the works, those who have given input into design, and those who have done both (you know who you are!)

Extra Special thanks go to Joe David of JoBuilt Construction - a great contractor who has managed the bumps that come with any project gallantly and endured our numerous design changes with an abundance of grace.

We aren't anywhere near done, but we have certainly gotten started!


Before photos...







Getting started...

Sidewalk??? We don't need no stinkin' sidewalk!







Form for front patio...




REALLY getting started...

Eventually this is going to be a biiiiiig planter...




Why yes, that IS a footer....




Raise your hand if you like concrete block!










Starting to come together...










Really starting to come together...










The two tall walls near the house are going to support a trellis aka shade structure.



More to come...


THE BIG POUR

















Saw Cuts in pad...





Front Walk...






Part Deux...Steel

[PixelPixie]

Wow guys, that's amazing progress!!! Way to go!

You're going to love the front patio being shaded from the western sun. We ate supper out on our front stoop tonight for that very reason.

Congrats and good luck in finishing things up. Can't wait to see the color story!

[michaelv]

Thanks. Not exactly DIY, but we have certainly gotten good at writing checks

Still have concrete pouring, landscape, irrigation, lighting, painting...well you get the picture. But, a lot better than zeroscape

[goredesignco]

Looks great!

[Lo]

Wow! That really looks great! I can't wait to see the finished product when it's all complete. Were the rectangular concrete blocks used for the walkway poured on site or custom or were you able to buy those stock?

[michaelv]

Lo,

Probably doesn't make things easier, but it was all custom poured with integral color from Davis.

[matthew]

looks great v-diggity! sorry i've been so quiet. love the color. can't wait to see it in person.

[litch]

Thanks for posting all of the pictures. I love seeing the work in progress.

[michaelv]

more photos...attached to the string above for continuity

[nichefindyours]

Looking awesome mike! shade structure is going to be awesome for that huge South facing window. Keep em' coming!

[Carson Photography]

Beautiful work. I cant wait to see the finished product.

[michaelv]

Ok...have been remiss in posting more...here they are. Sorry not very many action shots - we've been doing work and supervising work, or had the general contractor doing stuff if we aren't home.

Here is the badass (still somewhat) DIY MoPho playing with pricklies...




Entry with the Weberi Pachycereus acting as sentry...
(and yes, in case you were wondering...that IS a Zebra Agave)




First bloom...




Planter...






East yard from the street (before Weberii was put in)




Looking West...




Shadows on the not-quite-finished fountain




Sideways photo - sorry - can you tell which was is up?




West side yard. Vecina Bruja says that the yellow is highly reflective and burning her ficus trees...which are about 4 feet away from the wall...
(and yes, that IS an agave gracilipes!)





Looking west from the patio




Best I could do getting in most of the yard from across the street...




From inside the house looking out...

[AZScott]

Awesome work! It has to be great seeing everything complete.

[PixelPixie]

You are the awesomest sauce! Your sentry is great. And look at all that underutilized front yard you have reclaimed for private enjoyment!!! We are working toward the same thing after ripping out our rose bushes.

Lots of great specimens in that planter, I hope they will hold this season and if they can, you're golden!

As for the yellow reflecting...

I moved one of my mature and healthy Euphorbia trees to a new space largely IN THE BRIGHT SHADE 10 feet away from my yellow wall and after a few weeks it is looking sunburned and dehydrated. Don't know if it from the reflected light or what, but there may be something to this claim. I also have to tell you that during high summer even I don't want to be close to that wall, for the sake of my eyes.

[michaelv]

Well...it is a COOL-toned extremely bright yellow...