Landscaping Facelift!

The ho hum exterior the day we moved in back in 2011.

And on a nice rainy afternoon after a bit of magic from Jay at Service First Landscaping in Alpharetta.

Better no?

How it happened:

Overgrown hedges and shrubs got shanghai-ed.  I wish we had remembered to take a picture of just how bad it was.  Like twice as big again as the 'before' - and more shaggy than an Alaskan bush pilot.  We got letters from the HOA weekly.

The materials.  I was worried someone was going to walk away with some stuff when it was left in the middle of the yard overnight.  I am way too paranoid.

We couldn't afford the $14,000 we got quoted (not from Jay) for a covered porch/veranda thing - this was a very cost effective option - about $1800 for materials and labor.  Covering the existing cement porch with flagstone and fieldstone.  

And to dress up the sidewalk - Jay and his crew cut ribbons out of the cement to lay flagstone bands.

In progress on Day One.

In progress on Day Two - waiting for the finishing touches + grout.

Some of the flagstone ready for use on the side path.  And the installation of the flagstone ribbons is complete.

Mailbox got some swag.

Japanese Red Dwarf Maple as the centerpiece.  I know this are probably a bit overdone - but I think they are really pretty.

Flagstone all complete, grouted and raring to go.  So much better than the concrete.

Flanking beds filled with plant love.  I'm not a plant person I can't remember what half of them are anymore.  I'll count myself lucky if I can keep them alive.

From left: plant, 3 plants, boulder, more plants, maple!, more plants, creeping plants, boulder, grassy plants.

Flagstone bands after a nice rain.

These hollies were soooo overgrown we considered ripping them completely out.  I'm so glad we didn't - they look awesome treeformed.

The flagstone path goes into the side yard where the garbage can is.  It was a last minute addition and less expensive than an average dinner out.  Please excuse the missing mulch - this pic was taking after 2 days of heavy rain (like 24 inches in 48 hours or something ridiculous).

Jay also limbed up our Maple there and the Magnolia (not pictured) to the right of it.  

The mailbox got restained and repainted in ORB by me.  Also, we replaced the numbers with new ones from HD.

 We are extremely happy with Jay and his team.  Service First Landscaping is awesome - and we highly recommend them.  In fact - the backyard might just be getting a patio next year if we can save up the cash.

 (No website - you can find him on Kudzu and Angie's List or at 770-729-9797)