Dutch door entry via BHG
We bought a 1950s brick ranch with big potential to become the modern cottage-style home we want. Before we can focus on the pretty details—lighting, paint, a cute door and accessories—we need to fix the basic, functional elements so those cosmetic updates will make sense. No point putting lipstick on a donkey; the foundation must be right for the finishing touches to shine.
One major issue we discovered when buying the house was the sewer line needed repair. Not exactly an exciting project—spending a lot on a buried pipe is never fun—but it’s necessary. While I won’t bore you with endless sewer photos, I will show the progress and the finished driveway when it’s done.
There is a silver lining though: because the sewer work will require hauling out tons of concrete from the driveway, it makes sense to address the problematic side yard concrete and hazardous steps at the same time. Combining projects saves time and money and gives us a chance to improve the flow from the kitchen to the backyard.
Here are the before photos.
The current concrete and steps are uneven and dangerous for people and pets. They’re also inconvenient, sitting right outside the kitchen and leading to the backyard.
Not very safe or practical, and a little odd in layout.
This side yard is directly outside our kitchen door. I’m picturing a Dutch door here—remember the inspiration for a Dutch door from previous posts? This exterior shot shows the same doorway I’ve been dreaming about. I can already imagine how much charm a Dutch door would add.
Another factor that pushed us to act is the neighbor’s build next door. They’re constructing a new house and added a short cement retaining wall between our properties. Soon they plan to install a six-foot fence on top of that wall. Their project has left their yard torn up for months, and without a proper fence between our properties we’ve been improvising barriers to keep our dogs safe.
Without a permanent boundary, we stacked furniture and temporary fencing to keep our pups from wandering while construction continued next door. It’s been messy, and we’re ready for a clean, functional solution that keeps the yard tidy and the dogs safe.
The new retaining wall the neighbors installed is a bonus: once they add the fence, we’ll have a defined border for the side yard. That makes it practical to replace the cracked concrete, rebuild the steps, and add a gate. With those improvements, the space will be both pretty and useful—room for potted plants, recycling bins, and possibly our BBQ.
We’re even thinking about carving out a small “doggy potty” area so our pups can step outside the kitchen during rainy months and avoid tromping through the muddy backyard. Simple, functional solutions like that make daily life easier.
I also envision string lights between the house and the fence — outdoor string lights always add warmth and a cozy feel to a side yard.
Below are a few side yard inspiration photos I’ve been collecting. We’ll probably take a modest, practical approach at first, but it’s fun to imagine the possibilities.
BHG
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BHG (nice solution for concealing trash cans!)
BHG
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BHG
While we’ll be working on the side yard and sewer, I’m also planning several interior projects. Over the holidays I came up with a fresh idea for the kitchen that I haven’t shared yet—I’m excited to post the inspiration photos and plans soon. We’ll also update you on dining room concepts, a living room project we want to tackle next, a bedroom paint refresh, and other rooms we haven’t discussed yet.
If everything goes as planned, it’s going to be a very productive year for house projects. How about you—do you have home projects in the works? I’d love to hear about them!
Related Posts:
My Previous Backyard Tour (pea gravel patio, flagstone and secret garden)
Our Seattle House Tour Video (the before)
How to Add Personality to a Small Outdoor Space (our guide)