Author: Spring
Yippee!! It is finally finished. The major back yard facelift that Mr. Spring and I started in March is finally complete. You can read about the start of the facelift here and here. We have plenty of blisters and aching muscles to prove it. Was it a lot of work? Yes. Did we know what we were doing at first? Thanks to lots of research, yes. Would we do it again? Yes! Are we proud of it and of ourselves? Yes, yes, yes!!!
When we bought our first home, it was important for us to live in an established neighborhood in an urban rather than suburban setting. We knew that we would have to tackle projects, but if it meant we could increase our home’s value by applying some muscle, then we were all for it. Our little charmer had all of the major updates completed, thankfully, so that we can just add our tastes through cosmetic overhauls. That’s what this project was all about.
In a nutshell, we removed all of the previous owners’ gravel, rocks, decking and patio in order to build our own new and larger patio and lay sod. He didn’t have a lawn – at all. He didn’t want any maintenance – at all. We wanted grass for Gracie, and since my husband grew up in an apartment in New York City, it was only right that he should have the opportunity in his life to do mowing and lawn maintenance.
Because our winter in Syracuse was sooooooo long last year, we didn’t want to wait for the snow to melt to get started. The first thing we did was to remove all of the previous owner’s DIY projects. Based on all of the rocks, bricks, gravel and wood we hauled out, he probably had some sore muscles and blisters once upon a time, too.
Thanks to Mr. Spring’s research and calculations, we knew exactly how much materials we would need for our project.
We had to give up the use of our garage and driveway for a while, but it was worth it in order to stock pile our sand, top soil, and paving bricks.
After all of the things we didn’t want were removed, we carefully laid out the patio’s dimensions and then added sand and runner crush to provide a solid foundation.
We rented a machine to help pack it down. That was so worth it.
Next came the barrier and then….
more packing down the ground.
We selected a herringbone pattern for the brick layout. It required lots of careful measuring and cutting.
It was also very important to keep the surface level.
Doesn’t it look professional? Not bad for two newlyweds learning as we go. When it was finished, we added a type of sand in the cracks that will firm and hold the bricks together when water is added.
I enjoyed cutting the bricks, while Mr. Spring was putting down the main pattern of the patio.
We worked after the sun went down many evenings, but we just couldn’t wait to get the majority of it finished.
Shortly after we finished the patio, we laid the sod, bought a new outdoor table and chairs, a fire pit, and of course, tiki torches.
We L.O.V.E. it. We use it when we sit out with the neighbors…..
And for dinners for two.
The painters are coming next week to paint our house’s exterior which means the total backyard facelift for this year will be complete. I will be sure to share the new look with you.
We are planning a movie night for our first major outdoor entertaining event. Stay tuned for the upcoming details.
Cheers!
Linking to 
I love the pattern of the bricks-great job!I hope you don’t have mosquitoes there like we have here in Mississippi-you will need lots more tiki torches!
wow! I can’t wait to show Tom your project. He has bricked in herringbone pattern twice now. A patio at our first house and the brick walkway on our new/old house. Painstaking measuring and determination. He did it all, I was support team and kudo giver! I am so impressed with you and Mr. Spring. The picture of you cutting brick is my favorite. Beautiful job! Love your house and all the fun you are having with it!
What a sweet patio you have now. I can tell it took a lot of work to get it down like that and the pattern you chose and the cutting of the bricks has given you a wonderful spot. Love it. Thank you for sharing…
Enjoy…
Judi
Wow what an amazing job you all did! It looks awesome and I know you will spend many relaxing hours out there. Really great job!!
It just looks lovely. The herringbone pattern of the patio looks great & ya’ll did a really wonderful job of it. Congrats & enjoy!
🙂 CAS
You guys are amazing!! Love your enthusiasm and work ethic to tackle even the toughest jobs at your home. I’m sure you will get paid back for your efforts when you are ready to sell!! Enjoy while you can….summer will be gone before we know it. 🙁
Wow, that’s gorgeous!!! LOVE the pattern!! What color are you thinking of for the exterior? Can’t wait to see it!
After a lot of paint samples colors on our house we decided on a gray. Stay tuned for after photos once it is finished.
Wow, Jordan, you and Mr. Spring are amazing. So creative–just like your momma! I love your “new” backyard.
Love how it turned out!!! great work.
hugs
Wow, y’all did a fantastic job. Love the herringbone pattern. That was very hard work, but so worth it.
Love how you laid the bricks. Great job!…Christine
This is AMAZING!!!!!
I am so impressed that you two even considered tackling a job this
involved and labor intensive! All the leveling and cutting and measuring?
Oh my goodness. It looks fabulous and the reward for your job well done must feel great!
You two rock!
Bravo!
Congrats!
(And if you two lived through a project like this? Your marriage will last forever!)
xox
Alison
Fantastic!!!!
Thanks Allison. It was a ton of work but we are loving the end result and enjoying all of our hard work!
What an awesome job. I can appreciate the time and hard work that went into creating your gorgeous patio. I’m glad you laid the bricks on a herringbone pattern, even though it was more of an effort. Beautiful! ~Delores
It looks FABULOUS!!!! You 2 did a GREAT job! YOu will enjoy it for many years, I am sure! XO, Pinky
I am definitely wowed at the perseverance and hard work that goes into a project like this. I think I’m exhausted just looking at the pictures!
But oh the result is so worth it, no?
Camille
That’s a lot of work, but anything can be accomplished with teamwork!. Awesome patio!!
Looks great can you come over to my house and do any project you want. Let me know when movie night is. I’ll bring the pop corn.
All kidding a side. It is great to do hard work, see it come together and enjoy it for many year. Not everyone gets thah enjoyment.