OFFICIAL DAY ONE: Digging!

After more revisions and engineering, the plans were FINALLY approved today!  First they tore out our gate, brick wall, planter and tree...

Then it was time to get out the huge roots of our two ficus trees- the photo doesn't do it justice, but they were gigantic!

After all the roots and irrigation were out, they measured and started digging the pool!

The kids were completely enthralled with the entire thing after they got home from school for over TWO HOURS!!!  They would watch the digging...

And then when it would be filled with dirt, they would run to front to watch him dump it in the truck...

So after day one, here is our pool! ;)

And here is our fire pit pad and grass area!

Backyard Reno- Day Two

It's getting uglier...

There is a portable potty in our front yard, which should annoy me because it's hideous, but it makes me happy because it means we are really starting!!

I tried to find photos of the backyard after we did our initial landscaping but couldn't find much. I never really took photos or posted about it because I never liked it even after we did landscaping!

Here a few that I found from over a year ago, but the trees were much more mature when they took them out yesterday. 

And those photos don't give an accurate picture at all of the ficus they took out bc in the one photo where you can see them, they we had just trimmed them way back. They were HUGE! As much as I hated them, they provided a ton of privacy and shade, and that part I'll miss. In this old Reno photo, you can kind of see how full the branches were...

Big Backyard Reno- It's Happening

It took SEVEN MONTHS to find the right designer and contractor, design the plans, redesign the plans and get them submitted, but they FINALLY started demo today!!  The plans were just submitted yesterday so we still have weeks before actual construction can start, but at least something is finally happening!

They are taking down our gigantic ficus trees.

Open Cabana instead of Poolhouse

I really like this idea- doing the kitchen in front of the bathroom with the bbq on the very edge and then the sitting area next to it (also love the siding/ship lap...

Outdoor kitchen bar on side of cabana- I like that it's narrow and takes up little space width-wise; bbq on side...

Bar on side...

Bar on one side; 2 tvs on one side; sitting area in middle (no dining area); bathroom in back...

TV layout?

Sides if we do an open cabana...

Pillars for existing CA room...

Border Landscape Ideas

I want the walls completely covered by trees.  I like these close set trees and small round bushes:

Love the tall trees:

E's house has a pretty layered look:

Close up of her trees:

Trees along perimeter:

Planters for around pool and/or against wall next to master bedroom doors:

Decking Ideas- Pavers and Brick

My favorite photo- LOVE the pale brick color:

 I think I figured it out!  Pavers with brick around/ in between!

Brick Color:

Decking Ideas- Pavers and Grass

This looks nice- just a few pavers mixed with hardscape.