Wednesday, September 16, 2015

A Budget Friendly Makeover

It's been a busy couple of weeks around here, I've worked in the yard trying to get some much needed jobs marked off the to-do list. I'm slowly whittling the long list of outside jobs down to a manageable list, there is the inside list to start on once the weather isn't fit to be outside. 
 About 18 years
ago Mr. P and I put in railroad ties as a retaining wall. The job was a lot of fun, I officially earned the title of  "little horse". Mr. P had the ties chained onto the bucket of the tractor would swing them around and I would push them into place. Over the course of these past few years they've taken a beating and looked quite sad.
 I painted them once about 7 or so years ago. It's not a long process just one I felt needed to be repeated.
 YUCK!! I used a wire brush to get the loose paint off before I could begin painting. A broom and putty knife was used to get the loose dirt out from between the ties.
 Behind the railroad ties "used" be 8 bushes or so, last summer the mule, a log chain and I were the best of friends. I spent last summer pulling out 26 bushes and 3 dead trees. I was told I couldn't or shouldn't pull the bushes, it wouldn't look right  on, and on and on.... That just made me more determined to prove them wrong. The brick planter boxes were added about 14 or so years ago. The mix of textures keeps the area from becoming boring. Love, love, love the cleaner look.
 Oh so much better.
 TA-DAH!!!! Fighting the strong winds the north side is completed and looks 100% better. Like new again. Well.... if you can say railroad ties can look new. I would love to have some stone blocks put in and the ties removed, but until they fail and need to be pulled out, they'll stay the course.
 BEFORE
 AFTER
I am truly loving the cleaned up look. For the price of a gallon of paint, $22.84 I have a lot less trimming to do, I hop on the mower and for 3 straight hours let the days worries float into the wind. I know for some of you this isn't all that big a deal. To me, it's clean and fresh and looks brand new. Remember little changes make a huge impact.

4 comments:

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

You've been working hard Lynne, and the results show that your efforts were worth it..

designchic said...

It looks wonderful, Lynne…fresh and clean indeed!!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Lots of work, with great results.
Yes - many out there like to give advice.
Enjoy the weekend.

Pat said...

Lynne,
Many years ago, my sons and I had the sole responsibility of the lawn care for a h u g e yard!!!
Believe me when I tell you, I understand what an undertaking this was!!!
Amazing transformation, dear friend!!!
Well done!!!
Thank you for sharing and inspiring!!!
Fondly,
Pat