My Complete Home Transformation Journey
“Welcome to the Jungle”
August 2019
Since summer is here, we decided it was time to focus on getting our outdoor space ready. “Welcome to the Jungle” came to mind as we began to tackle the yard’s overgrown and unruly landscaping. 
The raw form of my front yard has given me the opportunity to learn much about suburban vegetation. I have an assortment of tulip poplar, oak, Japanese maple, and birch. I also have ground cover that includes English Ivy and Vinca. The wild blackberry vines, non-native grape vines and poison ivy round out our unique garden! One special treat is the Monarch butterflies visiting my Milkweed plants! That is a pleasant surprise amongst the overgrown chaos.
Next, we tackled the rear terrace. Peeling paint and years of exposure had left the terrace and railing in pretty poor shape. The sliding doors were also in disrepair. 
However, that serene, lush treetop view gave me the motivation I needed to get this job done fast! After many evenings browsing home design magazines and visits to local home improvement stores, I had my plan. First, we replaced the sliding doors. The black frame is so chic and really complements the deck railing and black furniture. We had Jeld Wen Premium AtlanticÔ Aluminum Sliding Doors installed. 
They require minimal maintenance, are energy efficient, tinted, textured and protective against UV rays. We used an epoxy paint to seal and provide a non-slip surface to the concrete. Finally, the outdoor furniture we brought with us fits perfectly on my new terrace. A cost-savings delight!
The terrace railing provided a different sort of challenge. It was unsafe and out of code and our homeowners’ insurance company threatened to cancel our policy if not brought up to code fast! We had to find a quick fix, so we brought in a professional welder to add horizontal rods along the entire terrace. Voila! We have a safe, stunning and up to date railing.
Now, we have an amazing outdoor space for our morning coffee, family dinners or hanging out with friends on warm summer nights.
There’s plenty more to come. Check back soon as we head inside on this renovation journey!
