Week 6 is here. Unbelievable. The last month and a half flew by. I want to start out by saying how incredibly happy I am that I chose to remake our side yard in to a garden. I loved designing it and then watching it come to life. It went from an eyesore to one of my favorite places to relax. In fact, I’m relaxing in the garden, drinking a cup of coffee and writing this post. I love that all of our kids not only have fun picking fruits and veggies from it, but they play with their toys, lounge on the furniture and read books there too.
I’d like to remind you where we started:

And how far we’ve come:




Artichokes, thornless boysenberries and a pomegranate tree fill in the cut out along with aloe and strawberry plants for groundcover.
Tucked up in the corner of the pergola you might be able to see some vines growing. That is a tall Chinese Wisteria plant that I hope will eventually work its way along the top of the pergola.




We were not only able to create three different seating areas in the garden but a potting bench area as well.







This garden is a great escape any time of the day. The pergola creates shade in the pendant seating area most of the day, the potting bench/table sitting area is the perfect spot in the mornings for coffee or in the evenings with a glass of wine. We extended the use of the garden into the nights by draping lights across the raised beds. It’s so magical and inviting.



A special thank you to Linda, from Calling it Home, who created the One Room Challenge, Better Homes and Gardens, the official media sponsor of the ORC. Great job to all the other Guest Participants and the 20 Featured Designers!

42 Comments
Chavarria Lois
Absolutely beautiful and inviting! Such intricacy, for all the sense, of your body and mind. Love it!
Christina
You need your own show already. You would put all the others to shame.
Chavarria Lois
I agree!??
Kristen
Looks amazing, as all of your projects do!!
Cindy Christen
This is beautiful Joannie!! You are very talented with ideas and follow thru! Love it!!!❤️
Rachel
You are so creative! Love your work girl!!!
Allie
You are my hero! Love you and all your designs ❤️
Donna Hebert
Joannie, What a beautiful space. You have so much talent.
Dolly
Stunning work. I love all the greenery. What a clever pool equipment enclosure plus multi use garden center. The sitting area looks inviting. Great job!
Susie | Chelsea Project
So beautiful, Joannie. I tried to pick a favorite part, but really couldn’t. There are so many fabulous details. Great Great job! Time to enjoy.
Sue
WINNER!
Hambels Get Real
Just getting this beautiful garden area makes me one for sure
Libbie
Joannie, this is simply amazing! Love the seating area you’re created. I’m sure you will enjoy this space for years to come.
Hambels Get Real
Thank you Libbie! I think we will!
Nicole
This turned out so great! Amazing job!
Hambels Get Real
Thank you!!!
Kim
Great transformation with awesome personal touches! Your so talented!!
Hambels Get Real
Thank you Kim ❤️❤️❤️
Emy
It’s hard to believe it’s the same space! You did an amazing job! I love everything!
Hambels Get Real
Thank you so much! I’m so happy with it
Kristina T
Amazing, and so creative!! Such a beautiful and inviting space. Way to go you two! Can’t wait to see your next project! ?
Hambels Get Real
Thank you! I still need to finish our master bathroom lol
Mirella
Amazing!!!!
Hambels Get Real
❤️
Jeweled Interiors
Oh my goodness!!! How is this even the same space? Your vision here was extraordinary and I am so proud of you!!!
Hambels Get Real
Totally overwhelmed here you have completely made my day ❤️ Thank you for saying such sweet things ❤️❤️❤️
Mary K Hunnicutt
What a great use of space! I love the seating area and potting bench. You will definitely get so much use out of the garden!
Tash @ thedreamhouseproject
That doesn’t even look like the same yard!! It’s such a lovely serene space now. That wall surrounding the pool equipment is genius! There are so many fantastic details to love in this space. Fantastic job!
Hambels Get Real
Thank you! It’s such a great place to relax in now
Tee
What a beautiful & dramatic transformation, Joannie!! This is soooo perfect for the upcoming summer. Enjoy this lovely space! I had fun following along!
Hambels Get Real
❤️❤️❤️ thank you so much for following along Tee. Means the world
Andi
Oh my gosh, how cool! Love your vegetable area and that little bistro table at the end of it! Perfect little morning spot!
Angela
This is amazing!! What a beautiful space — creating something great out of nothing! Well done!
sheisonthemove
This is fantastic! I’ve loved following along and the space looks wonderful! Great call planting everything early enough that they would fill out all the beds. Really makes the transformation impressive!
Casey
It looks so good! You’re going to have so many great times out there this summer 🙂
Amy
Love it Joannie! Love the barn door outside. What a transformation!
Amy KS
This is so fantastic, you utilized every bit of the space and your garden looks amazing. It’s such a lovely space.
Jen @ Jenron Designs
Such a beautiful outdoor living space, I know where the garden party will be this summer! You real did a great job transforming this area in to a useable living space.
Kristen
Whoa! What a difference! It looks beautiful, great job!
jackiecan
This space has come a long way- great job! Now you have the whole summer to enjoy
Katie Brodt Mayer
This is one of the best uses of a side yard I’ve ever seen! Thank you for showing us how easy it can be (or looks) to combine function and beauty in an otherwise overlooked space. Bravo!
Corinna - TheBohoAbode
I am so in love with the amazing job you’ve done with this space! It’s way cooler than I was thinking it would look when you first announced the plans. Not that I doubted you, I just couldn’t see the full vision. I am inspired to get working on parts of my yard now.