DIY Home Decor: Back Yard Chronicles: My Makeover on a Dime

To say that my backyard renovation was a bit of a struggle would be the understatement of the century. When I first moved in, it was like attack of the scarecrow. My side yard was filled with cornstalk, melons, creatures I couldn't name, cinder blocks ...well you get the picture. It was not your normal suburban neighborhood backyard. But after months of VERY hard work I was able to bring some life (not in the form of vegetables and critters) back to my yard. For the most part, this was a solo mission on a minute budget. Here is what spray paint, Rust-o-leum Restore Deck cover, A LOT of patience and hard manual labor can do.

There's a jungle...or farm out there in them there woods. One day I was looking out of my kitchen window as I was doing dishes. It was the 1st spring after I'd moved. I tilted my head and took a closer look and was like, is that a melon growing in my yard? I went outside for further inspection and discovered there were melons, asparagus, onions...and a whole bunch of stuff I couldn't place.

back yard chronicles my makeover on a dime, decks, gardening, outdoor furniture, outdoor living, repurposing upcycling

testing stain colors after I'd power washed the deck.

And just when I was about to say ok...I'm done, a 500 lb. setback by the name of my chimney fell off my house and on to my side and backyard.

I regrouped and made the most of things. I reused everything I dug up when I took apart the "garden." I made a bench out of the cinder blocks. And made a dray patio with the pavers.

Found furniture from a thrift store for around $75. Spray painted everything. It was the end of the summer clearance, so pillows and lanterns were steeply discounted. They didn't all match, but my motto is..Make it work. And that's what I did.