* Cost Comments:

SInce I do so many projects around my home I already had mortar and, the bricks were free and a neighbor gave me some leftover concrete mix.

*My motivation to do this project:

This was a new construction home and needed a lot of freshening up to add interest

*Project Steps:

I got lucky and was able to get all my bricks free that were left over while the subdivision was being built. I was the third homeoner here. I poured a 2 in thick concrete footing for the bricks to be laid on top of. I leveled the concrete and started building my border from there.

Advice:

It is much easier to make a rounded ege than a pointed one. I had to cut the bricks on the corners that came to a point. It seemed as if everytime I would dig I was hitting rocks or bricks that were in the ground. You can take a course from your local home improvement store on how to lay brick. As far as my plants, I change them out seasonally and there is a lot of trial and error. Always pay special attention to what the store entrance has displayed outside, because those are the in season flowers. As the stores change out there display plants, you should follow suit. It's all about location, location location for plants.

complete directions at http://ourfairfieldhomeandgarden.com/upcycle...

Over the years, the very cool architectural details of the house had fallen into disrepair. The pillars and columns were crooked, the concrete porch was cracked, and the wood was rotting from years of neglect.

Heirloom Design Build’s goal was to restore the home’s original charm. In addition, we wanted to add the comfort and convenience of the 21st century to the home’s interior, while retaining the historical character of the home’s exterior. We spent a good portion of this project deconstructing the changes to the home and recreating the original single-family layout.

To ensure the best outcome, we used top-quality building materials—the kind that are usually found in much larger and more expensive home renovations—while keeping the house’s footprint small and it’s design tasteful and in keeping with the look of the neighborhood. Modern improvements included the vaulting of the ceilings, the exposing of brick chimneys, and the installation of Carrera marble, recycled hardwood flooring, custom cabinetry, and beautiful light fixtures throughout the home.

We also added new landscaping and hardscaping to the home's front and back yard, including a new stone patio with a built-in barbeque pit--a perfect spot for entertaining!

Some of the high performance features include a high efficiency HVAC system, and all paints and sealants used were were non-VOC, ensuring better air quality for the home’s future residents.

and after finding vintage swimsuits framed on a wall in a design magazine I wanted that look. I knew I couldn't afford ones like the designer since they run over $1000 so I searched a way to make my own. I found the suit on ebay and then framed it in a shadow box. Then the room kind of evolved over time with updated colors on furniture and the walls and found accessories collected from flea markets, retail stores, ebay and online stores.