What's new at 912?

I know I've been promising you guys pics of the "living fence" and my table, so here 'tis. Fence first. We had a landscape architect over to give us ideas about what to do with the backyard (think patio/deck.) Turns out he had some great ideas, many of which we can't afford, but we're thinking we'd like to implement. Meanwhile, we mention that we'd really like to raise the fence between us and the "crack house" and he asks if we've considered a living fence. We really like the idea and, having found 5 ft arbor vitae at Lowe's for $20, went ahead and put one in the front yard, along the drive between us and "them." Here's how it came out.




The next step will be to plant 10 footers all along the fenceline in back on that side and halfway across the back, to cover the house to the rear. We'll end up taking out some plantings and moving others, but the end result should be pretty amazing, both from a view perspective and privacy. So it's going to be fence first, then deck/patio later. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, we've need extra working space in the kitchen and have talked about taking the desk unit out and putting in an island/peninsula in it's place. So, the deck came out and it was put up or shut up time. After shopping various options and not finding anything that was ideal, it turned into an "I can make one" kind of deal. The last thing I actually made was the butcher block now residing in C&C's house, and that was mostly a piece of bowling alley. This one started as raw boards, plywood and moulding. I did buy the legs. And I have to admit I'm pretty proud of the way it came out. (Disclaimer: I haven't repainted the wall yet.) Take a look:





So, there you have it. All adoration gratefully accepted. Mom tells me that there's a full sized farmhouse style dining room table in my future.