Today I thought I’d share a few photos of how the big landscaping project is going over at the studio. Because seriously, everyone loves before and after photos, right?
This is what the cottage looked like the day we got the keys to the place.
Call me crazy but it looked kind of sad and unloved.
This is what it looked like one week later after we had removed the plastic shutters, moved the fence forward and ripped out the overgrown landscape.
And this is what it looks like now. 🙂
I hesitated even showing you because there’s still a lot of work to do outside {more plants, fencing, maybe a surprise or two} and we’re still waiting for the grass to grow in.
But I had to share because I am SO in love with how things are turning out.
I LOVE GARDENING. And I love creating new spaces. And I am SO, SO lucky to have a husband who goes along with {most} all of my crazy ideas.
The idea for the flower pot swag came from a trip to Quebec City. A little French restaurant had a similar one above their doorway and I thought it was the cutest thing!
The idea for the benches came from the restaurant too. Originally I was going to have my husband build some window boxes and just plant flowers in them.
But the more I thought about the benches, they just seemed more versatile for around the holidays. The man loves to build things, what can I say? {He made me the door last fall.} I told him he should turn pro.
The flower pot swag was super easy to make. I took pictures while I was making it so let me know if you want me to write up a tutorial. I’m planning on adding fairy lights for Christmas.
Yesterday our first two visitors arrived. Two pretty little house finches. They’ve been working hard at building a nest just behind the flower pots on the branches.
It is the SWEETEST thing! I’ll have to try and get a photo when they’re not around so I don’t disturb them.
This place is so different from the Lobster House!
The {hydroseed} grass and landscaping is coming along. The grass is starting to fill out in the {parking} pavers which has been fun to watch.
We were able to repurpose the three mature hydrangea plants that were previously swimming in a mound of bark alongside the cottage.
I was a little worried they wouldn’t transplant well because they were so big, but we were able to get them in the ground before they started to leaf out so I think they’ll survive.
We were given a couple of white hydrangeas last fall from a neighbor who was thinning their garden and those seem to be doing great as well. The catmint came from Costco as did the begonias.
The goal is to fill the garden with 90% perennials and save the other 10% for summer annuals and bulbs.
I still have a boatload of shasta daisies, chives, rhubarb and English lavender growing in pots that I need to get planted. But I’ll wait to do that once the fence is installed {end of June?}.
I also bought an enormous packet of hollyhock seeds that I’ll scatter in the fall as well. Fact: I am rather excited about the prospect of a garden with a gazillion hollyhocks in it!!
When I was planning this garden, I knew I wanted some flowers, but I wasn’t exactly planning on a total cottage garden vibe.
But hey, I think that’s where we’re headed… And it’s fine by me. ♥
~Mavis
J in OH-IO says
Your English/Quebec garden cottage vibe is crazy cute! Wow what progress- love seeing the before/after photos, too. Thank you for sharing!
Erin says
Absolutely gorgeous! What a fun side adventure! I love that you kept it different from the lobster house.
Beth says
Absolutely lovely! Please share the tutorial for the flower pot swag. I would love to add one to the down at the heels farmhouse we purchased last summer and are making over room by room. Thank you for sharing and the inspiration.
Nancy says
Love seeing before and afters! The cottage is absolutely lovely!
Nancy Settel says
Oh Mavis I am so in love with this little cottage! It is adorable in every way. You both have worked so hard. I would add the fairy lights now to just highlight everything you have already done I love seeing them twinkle on a stary summer night. I was going to suggest flower boxes because I think EVERY house needs flower boxes and board and batten shutters (like the door). I love the benches also i say the more the merrier. The landscaping is just beautiful and I love holy hocks but have never had any luck with them, I love them so much. I know it has been lots of work but I bet it has been fun for you also.
JoAnn Moran says
You and your husband are amazing Mavis. You always inspire me. What a transformation. I love the brick path and the beautiful door and your unusual and darling flower pot swag. I’d love a tutorial. You never cease to astonish me with what you’re able to accomplish.
Kath says
Woweeee!! Thanks for deciding to share the before and afters and please don’t hesitate in future! I have a stack of those small terracotta pots that I haven’t found a purpose for, so please do share the tutorial.
Patti M says
Wow! I’m very impressed and might steal a few ideas : ) Thanks for sharing.
Mary G says
Absolutely lovely! The HH is really skilled at building things. I’ve been very impressed to see his work. That flower pot swag is really cool. I think a tutorial would be wonderful, although I suspect my attempt would fall short of your creation.
Dawn says
I love it, it’s all so pretty. Like a storybook cottage.
Samantha says
Please share the tutorial on the swag. I absolutely love it!!!
Christa H says
Absolutely a fabulous job! I love it all! Beautiful. All the hard work has paid off into a dreamy picturesque place.
Did you put a new roof on it?
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes. 🙂
Beth Barrier says
The cottage is adorable. Love the entire feel of the place. It is an amazing transformation. I love that you get to play with so much flower space and look forward to seeing more photos of the ongoing updates!
Mimi says
Well done! I love everything about it!
Teri says
Fantastic! Love it!
Theresa says
Just went to that restaurant in Quebec this past winter! Even snapped a photo of the cool exterior in the snow!
Bonnie in GA says
Beautiful!! My fave part is the grass growing around the pavers. That is so neat looking!
Ellen C says
Yes please for the swag tutorial. The cottage and surroundings are beautiful. You are the Queen of transformations.
Sue S. says
WOW!! What a transformation! I love everything about it and you should get the home improvement award of the year for the makeover!!! I especially like the shutters gone, simplified landscaping, and pots on benches – window boxes attract ants don’t you know. Houses With History would be very proud of you two!! It’s amazing the amount of activity you and HH accomplish in a seemingly short period of time. Do you ever sit back and relax, and enjoy your hard work Mavis?
Julie says
I love it!! I love Holly Hawks too. They’re kind of a pain because you have to cut them down, but they’re beautiful.! Is beautiful also except the very, very warned that you will have it everywhere if you’re not very careful!! Ask me how I know…….
Julie G. says
Perfection! You two have done a wonderful job with all of it. I can’t wait for the hollyhocks too!
Lynn from NC Outer Banks says
As others have said, what an amazing transformation! You and your husband are such a great team and I’m jealous of your vision. So lovely and what an upgrade for the neighborhood!
Judi Y. says
Wow! It is soooooooooo pretty! I absolutely love it! You two are amazing!
Nancy says
Wow, what a transformation! So beautiful!!! Looks like a postcard!