Home Sweet Home

Our little family has been hard at work making our little house a home. Most of the inside is done with the exception of wall hangings and a piece of (small) furniture here and there. The outside really needed some TLC though. It was a cute little cottage in it's own right, but we wanted fresh flowers, colors, and plenty of dirt for Toby to dig in.

The past week or two has been loads of fun. We've picked out flowers, hanging baskets, and started to mock up our small raised bed that we'll have in the back. We're excited to plant a few of our favorite veggies (zucchini, squash, and red peppers please!) as well as have a nice little area for an herb garden. The transformation so far has been awesome to watch. It may not look like much, but we're kind of loving it! We "built" three new flowerbeds (two at the porch, and the one circular one in the yard). We also added the birdbath and a strawberry plant on the porch! (Apparently we also inspired our neighbor, Flo, to start beautifying her yard! She sent her son over to see what we were up to so she could put him to work! We really like her, she's the sweetest lady!)

In case you didn't see the house when we first moved in last month, this is what it looked like:
(and yes, someone was using the rocks in the front to spell out things with haha)

I'd say we've done a good job so far! Can't wait for the rest of our plants to sprout up!

Do any of you have green thumbs? (Confession: I don't. I once forgot to water my succulent for THREE MONTHS. I'm amazed it survived.) I'd love to know your tricks! Happy Friday!

Edited to add: Today we're putting in the red mulch! So exciting! Seriously, it's so pretty!

83 comments:

  1. Succulents are hard to kill. Your front yard is such a huge improvement! I'd say you have a green thumb.

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  2. wow, looks beautiful!

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  3. Beautiful job so far! Oh man, I need to do the same thing to my house, and I've lived there for over 5 years.

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  4. Oh my gosh it is beautiful! So very sweet-- & it fits the house perfectly. Very lovely-- & you all have every right to be proud!

    http://aclosetintellectual.blogspot.com/

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  5. looks so cute! i killed every plant i ever had. lol

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  6. Your home looks so beautiful and alive and cozy! Such a makeover from before. You must be having so much fun with it :)

    xo
    http://kittysnooks.blogspot.ca/

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  7. adorable! makes me want to garden-- even though i have a black thumb!

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  8. Wow! that is a big improvement! I have an awful green thumb but seriously love plants... I don't know how that works but it does. I let my brother who is a botanist pick out fail proof greenery for me. Ali

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  9. it looks so great! i'm impressed. we've lived in our house 3 years and still haven't gotten the front looking as cute as yours!

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  10. what a great transformation! super inspiring for our really messy landscaping that i need to tackle.

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  11. it's looking great! can't wait one day to have our own little cottage :)

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  12. No, I don't like gardening and I've only ever kept one plant alive. It's called a dragon tree and it's been with me for years. Wow, the garden makes such a big difference and really completes your cute house.

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  13. GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Simply amazing!!!!!!!! Well done you guys!!! I love it! :)

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  14. Looks so pretty! What a sweet cottage.

    http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com/

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  15. It looks beautiful! And wow, I bet your landlord LOVES you! I'm glad that you have a Flo.

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  16. It looks like a different house! Youve done a wonderful job making it a HOME! I can't wait to see the rest!

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  17. That is so cute that your neighbor had her son stop by to see what you were up to. Your place looks incredible! Such a transformation :] The strawberry plant will be so lovely and yummy very soon, and I really like the birdbath. I don't have much of a green thumb, I usually go to my mom for help. However, I did grow tomatoes and some herbs last summer and they were quite happy. Best of luck with everything!

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  18. You need a cute little guard gnome! (=

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  19. wow, it looks AMAZING now! Being a city girl I don't have much of a green thumb, minus my beloved bamboo plant which has traveled with me since I was 20, across 5 apartments...

    XO Sahra
    EffortlessCool

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  20. The difference from when you got the place compared to how it looks now is 110% better. I really like the area around the birdbath,plus the birdbath itself. I don't have a green thumb myself,but my mom does. I think that's her favorite thing to do -- plant things. I have a rose bush and a couple of japanese irisies in the yard and we're planning on having a garden this year,but I'm not really savvy with anything,haha. Best wishes! :)

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  21. Your yard looks so pretty! This is my second year with a veg. garden and I love it! It got me into canning and I love the fresh vegies on my plant!!

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  22. Aw, your house is gorgeous! You've done such an amazing job, the transformation is phenomenal :)

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  23. What a difference! You're making me pine for a garden now.

    Me, I kill every plant I own. Sad, but true.

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  24. Yaaay for making your house a home! Sometimes those little things make all the difference. So happy for you guys and your new little family unit! Loving all of these posts...you're growing up girlfriend!...isn't it SO fun?! ;)
    xo.

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  25. ummmm YEAH you have done an awesome job! Hope we get to see in the inside when its all done :)

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  26. Well done! It looks like you're making a sweet home for yourselves. :)

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  27. Wow! The difference is stunning. The result is incredible. I love the circular flower bed around the bird bath. What a sweet idea. Kudos to you for tackling such a major feat, especially with Toby afoot.

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  28. big difference! you did a pretty good job. excited to see how it will turn out once you've put the finishing touches. :)

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  29. Wow - what a transformation! Absolutely beautiful!

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  30. it looks great! making your house over can really just revitalize your life, dont you think?
    hard work pays off

    love,
    chelsea

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  31. Jealous. I've been in my place for two years and can't get the front yard sorted. Thanks for doing this in the neighborhood and making it brighter and happier!

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  32. Awww it looks so great!! I would love to spend hours on that porch now!!

    -Leah
    Superstition Vintage

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  33. I garden, but I wouldn't say that I have a green thumb. I just like to have fresh veggies in the summer.

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  34. I'm behind on my log reading do I missed your move. But wht a sweet little place you've got. The outdoor improvements are lovely. I look forward to seeing what else you get up to.

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  35. You guys are doing a pretty good job already! I admit that my yard is my biggest hobby and I spend more outside than in when I can. Right now we're tearing out the backyard and going with a new format. Just visit your local garden center, ask lots of questions and learn while doing. Looks like you are off to a great start!

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  36. Your house and garden look really cosy!

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  37. awe your house looks amazing!!! I would spend hours and hours reading on that porch

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  38. Wow, what a transformation! Very beautiful. I love to garden too and did a raised bed for the first time last spring. It was great, although I failed to estimate how large everything would grow to be and it became rather crowded! :)

    http://atallshipandastar.blogspot.com

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  39. Oh my goodness I love it!! It looks so much more inviting now! Gorgeous.

    Also we should totally get Toby and Sy together for a playdate. That was an amazing suggestion. Sy doesn't have a lot of baby male friends (I couldn't think of anything other than boyfriends and I think that came out more awkward. haha!). His daycare consists of all little girls and one new boy. So he would love to be able to play with another boy!

    Also I don't have many friends with kids to get him with so that would work out swimmingly :)

    I'll email you sometime and maybe we could get them together :)

    <3 Rae

    http://dramaticatticboutique.blogspot.com

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  40. I do have a green thumb! I'm going tons of veggies in pots on my back pouch! I'm loving what you guys did with this place.

    -Madeline Grace
    Just Let the Sparrows Fly

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  41. Hello Kaelah, I discovered your blog a few days ago through The Charley Girl and I'm really glad I did! I've been sick and have used the time off to read through some of your older entries. Creepy? I'm not sure, but it sure made my sick days better! Also I love what you've done to this garden! I rent as well, but our garden is fairly well established and they're really weird about destroying lawn so no extra beds for us! I've made do with container gardening and I won't lie, I'm a b it jealous of your garden! Anyway, sorry about the giant comment, it felt necessary after spending a sick day or two stalking you!

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  42. looks amazing!
    xo, cheyenne

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  43. That's the *beauty* of the succulent!! You can neglect it for months and it will live on!

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  44. your little house is so adorable !!! love it :D

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  45. What a transformation! It's such a cute house. =)

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  46. Not that you need another comment on how awesome it looks, but holy cow. Go you for seeing the beauty and potential in that house initially! The transformation is a-MAH-zing.

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  47. Looks great! I've been gardening for 13 years and every season's garden is "experimental." I should be an expert but I'm not. Plants seem to have a mind/soul of their own. It's so exciting when veggies & fruit produce, though. Really rewarding. Enjoy!

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  48. Your house looks wicked cute with all the flowers and things! I have a totally black thumb, it's awful.

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  49. Aww, your home is looking so beautiful, inviting, and warm. I love having a peek at how people decorate the outside and inside of their homes, goosh, I can't wait to have my own place. I don't know if I would have the "green thumb" talent considering I've never really tried to garden, hopefully I'll find out one day soon.

    <3Honeysuckelle

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  50. Wow, it looks so much better! So cute. :)

    -Lindsey
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okapi

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  51. it looks beautiful! I need a kaelah and mike in my neighborhood for inspiration please :) I should start with a succulent

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  52. Honestly, I have to say that I am SO happy for you guys, you definitely deserve it. The house looks adorable, you did an incredible job with it, it barely looks like the same place anymore. :) I really hope you enjoy your new home, it's like something out of a story book.

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  53. Honestly, I have to say that I am SO happy for you guys, you definitely deserve it. The house looks adorable, you did an incredible job with it, it barely looks like the same place anymore. :) I really hope you enjoy your new home, it's like something out of a story book.

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  54. You home is gorgeous! It looks like the kind of place that I would love to live in. I can't wait to be able to style my own home & garden.

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  55. Wow, you did a great job so far. Your garden looks so pretty and I totally envy you for this. <3

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  56. Wow you all are making that cottage look like a home, the work on the garden is amazing and has lifted everything. I'm great at growing veggies but suck at most other things, though i do have a cactus that has survived for years..lol.. can't really kill those.

    Can't wait to see what else appears..

    Happy Gardening :)

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  57. Your home is a dream! That porch... in my head I have a porch and I'm sitting on a rocking chair outside. I need to get a porch. I love your blog :)

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  58. it looks so great! congrats! you can tell you two are really trying and i can't wait to see pictures of it all finished!

    life spelled jen

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  59. It looks so lovely and peaceful!

    http://juffielovesstyles.blogspot.co.uk/

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  60. Ah it's so adorable it looks like it's from a film! What an amazing transformation, you guys have done so well. Must be such a wonderful place to live.

    http://www.rafflesbizarre.blogspot.com

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  61. Holy cow it looks SO beautiful! Yeee I'm so happy for you guys. ^_^ <33

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  62. Y'all have done a great job! So lovely.

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  63. You guys did an amazing job!
    We tried planting flowers in our flowerbeds last year and we both don't have a green thumb and they died. Boooo

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  64. Looks beautiful! Such a perfect little home :))

    Paula
    lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com

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  65. LOOOOOOOVE IT! I'm into growing plants, succulents, and cacti but have to do it from my little apartment balcony. The house looks amazing and so much more vibrant with the addition of the plants. Way to go KB family!

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  66. your home is so sweet and happy! congrats!!!
    xo,
    cb

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  67. Your house is too cute! I really need to do something to mine soon to make it look pretty on the outside. And sadly, i'm not one to offer plant advice because i kill even succulents that don't need much attention. Yikes!

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  68. Not sure where my comment went but if you get two, sorry! Your house is too cute! I really need to make mine pretty on the outside too. I, sadly, kill plants by looking at them, even if they are succulents! Yikes!

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  69. Wow your house is so darn cute! It's super quaint and I love what you've done with the outside. :D

    xx Jessica

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  70. You two sure have done a great job in making your home look comforting and cozy! Just the way a home should be!

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  71. Oh wow. You've def been busy. Looks adorable.

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  72. the yard looks amazing! great job!

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  73. Well done!!! Your new little house is beautiful. Very welcoming and cute.
    Delaney
    xx

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  74. my entire blog is basically all about our gardening right now- we just moved over to blogspot from an old tumblr, so we've started fresh with our spring gardening. gardening in scotland, i imagine, is different from gardening in nashville. we have very little sun. i'd recommend going to thrift stores and looking for gardening books, because there's always a ton! also, looking at sites about permaculture. if you want, i can send you some links, just let me know!

    Lauren @ Hello, Hunters!

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  75. I love what you did with the yard! It looks amazing

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  76. oh me oh my, you guys have made a world's difference to this cute home

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  77. Your home is so beautiful. I love all of the life you've brought to it. Toby is so lucky to grow up around two creative types such as you lovebirds.

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  78. Everything you guys did looks wonderful! I'm so envious of your pretty yard space. I want a porch and a little garden so badly, but I guess I'll have to wait a couple years.

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  79. I love the life you are living right now- you seem so genuinely happy and full of life! I'm so, so excited to read about your family and the life you will continue to build. I'm literally tearing up! You are such an inspiration to me and I love seeing you go after your dreams and more than that, achieving them. You are truly amazing.

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HEY! Thanks for dropping by. xo KB