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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Mini-Deck: Finished!

Mini-deck

Ages ago, as in more than a year ago, we were having trouble deciding what this set of steps should look like. After many sketches, we did what all good homeowners who can't make a decision do: we started a different project. It was around that time that I saw Jane's back deck and walkway at Modern Jane. I really liked the simplicity of it, and it was inspiration for our much smaller project.

I don't know why the design of this mini-deck was so hard to decide on. I've always like the dichotomy... Balls, I just pulled a brain muscle with that one. I've always like the juxtaposition... What is wrong with me? When did my bag of bullshit get so big? Um, I've always liked the contrast of old and new together. There we go. Nice and simple real-people words.

Gutters

I didn't even know gutters so ugly existed prior to buying this house. I've hated them since day one: November 15th, 2005. But they were (unfortunately) new, and they worked so I've done my best to ignore them.

After repairing the back hall, i.e. straightened the walls, the old gutters no longer fit. We chose a classic metal gutter that was an easy DIY for Nate. I didn't help at all except for keeping the kid out of his hair. I am amazed at how much better the new gutters look. I'm thinking we may switch over the rest of the house next spring.

Weird Slanty Black Pole

It isn't as intrusive in person as in the photos. I promise. There used to be a fence between the house and the garage, but we took it down a while ago. This post was set in concrete. The concrete was poured under the buried conduit which brings electricity to the garage. So we can't just pull it out. I'm not sure how to break up the concrete without a jackhammer. We might just cut the post off below the ground, cap it and bury it. Here's to hoping it's not still there at the end of next summer.

And for funsies, another before and after. I'm very, very happy with how the deck and gutters turned out. Next up: replacing that exterior light fixture.


19 comments:

  1. That looks awesomely fantastical. Nice, ridiculous made up words, delivered with sincerity. If we could finish one project for every ten you guys begin and complete, we'd be finished with our houses at the same time. I did the math.

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    1. Ha! I'm glad we're having a nice-weather week for your outdoor kitchen's sake. What a big project. It'll all be worth it, and hopefully soon!

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  2. That looks really good. Love the simplicity of it.

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    1. Thanks! We are very happy we went in this design direction.

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  3. Fabulous! Simple clean lines and space that actually functions, well done.

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    1. We extended it so far so we wouldn't have to step down onto the ground when we take the dog out at night. That's our function working out for us!

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  4. turned out great! it looks new and fresh, but still looks great with the lines of your home. perfect!

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    1. Thank you! We are relieved that it doesn't look out of place considering the house is almost 100 years old.

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  5. Nice! And it gives you so much more room to play with. I hate when it takes forever to make a decision and then when you do, you wonder why it took so long. This looks beautiful... congrats!

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    1. Thanks, Danielle. We were seriously considering something with siding to match our porch. It would have been a headache to build. I'm glad we chose the simpler look.

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  6. I love how it looks warm and inviting compared to the old cement stairs.

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    1. Thanks! We built them extra deep to encourage sitting :)

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  7. The new back door and deck are a huge improvement. Looks great!

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    1. Thanks. We are still working on the interior...ugh.

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