BACKYARD MAKEOVER WITH LOWES

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If you follow along with my  Instagram then you’ve seen the sneak peeks I’ve been sharing on Lowes’ Instagram this past week of the progress on our backyard makeover!  But in case you haven’t I’ll start from the beginning!  Lou and I loved the backyard when we moved in, but the huge lawn (seen below) was expensive to maintain (SO MUCH WATER!!!) .  We also barely ever utilized the space.  So we decided, with the help of the fine folks at Lowes, to turn it into our TRUE dream backyard.  And I have to say, it’s so far beyond what I could have imagined and we are just pinching ourselves fifty times a day that we get to live here!!  Thank you so much Lowes for making this possible!

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We planted Bougainvillea bushes in these cute pots I found at Lowes to add color and height to the yard while we wait for the plants to grow in!  Eventually we’ll move them to another part of the yard, wherever seems fitting once everything has grown!  The plant selection at Lowes is stellar- we made a dozen trips there to pick up plants and each time I found ten more I wanted!   #plantnerdproblems

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When we fantasized about possibilities for the yard the first thing that came to mind was a designated space to hang a hammock (the one shown above available here!).  We knew that tearing out all of the grass and completing such a major overhaul on the yard would be well beyond our DIY skill level so we brought the incredible Falling Waters Landscape on board to help with the landscape design/install.  We also enlisted our incredible friend  Greg Coleman to design the structure.  Knowing when you’re in over your head is so important with home projects!   Both Falling Waters Landscape and Greg Coleman Designs are based in Southern CA and I couldn’t recommend either of them more, they made this project so much fun to work on and so far surpassed our expectations!!!   Greg came up with some brilliant ideas for the structure to keep it from overwhelming the yard.  The floating ceiling, thin white support beams and floating posts all help keep it visually light and modern!  We had those pieces fabricated, but all other parts of the structure were made from supplies we found at Lowes.  I realized during this process that they have EVERYTHING YOU COULD EVER NEED.  Seriously.  One stop shop for home projects!

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This before and after is pretty incredible, right?  Eventually the plants surrounding the hammock structure will grow in- some will be tall, some will just fill out and cover the ground.  We expect it to feel lush and full of life.  There have already been so many more butterflies and hummingbirds around the yard, I’m ecstatic!  Once the plants are established they’ll need way less water and we’ll be able to start really noticing the savings from having the grass removed!  Falling Waters Landscape did such an incredible job with the design-we’re so in love with all the concrete pathways and how they divided the space so perfectly.  They were our dream team.  AND, we’re now the proud parents of a pomegranate tree!  CANNOT WAIT TO PICK MY FIRST POMEGRANATE!   (There were so many fruit tree options at Lowes that I was tempted to scrap the whole hammock structure idea and plant an orchard instead!!)

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I’m so in love with these pink flowers, and most especially because they attract hummingbirds like crazy!  I am so looking forward to next winter/spring when the yard comes into bloom!  Down the road we may take down the hammock and put a 12 person dining table under the structure.  There are walkways leading to it from the pool and the grill, so it would be perfect for outdoor entertaining!  But for now we’ll  be taking hammock naps every chance we get!!!

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Our house feels like a resort!  SERIOUSLY, PINCH ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  TEN TIMES!!!!!  Also, come over, let’s have a party!!!!!

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There’s the handsome man of the house, Lou Mora.  You may not be able to tell but he’s bone tired and beaming with happiness!  Love him.  {See more of our Palm Springs home here}

This post was produced in partnership with Lowes.  Thank you for supporting our sponsors!  xx- Sarah

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Reader Comments

  2. Cate|

    I’ll come over! Please…

    Seriously, though, this is gorgeous. A dream. I love the desert landscaping and that hammock looks ideal for curling up with a book (or a long nap). Love love.

    P.S. Your Peanut Butter Cup Cheescake is sitting in my freezer waiting to be eaten tomorrow for my birthday celebration. It’s been torture waiting to devour it, but I’m pretty sure it will be well worth the wait!

    Reply
  3. sarah|

    looks awesome! I love, love, love sensible landscaping that cuts down on water waste – well done guys 🙂

    Reply
  4. Nicole|

    Wow! Can’t wait to see the BEFORE/AFTER/1-YEAR-LATER. So cool! But wait, I thought you guys were planning to move out of Palm Springs?

    Reply
    • Sarah Yates|

      Thanks Nicole, I think it’ll be pretty amazing! I’m dying for all the plants to grow!!! 🙂

      We put the move on hold when we started thinking about moving Lou’s dad in with us. We haven’t really revisited it since he passed, but we will soon I’m sure. Who knows what the future will bring! It feels crazy leaving this backyard!!!! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Junia|

    Um, YEAH. Insane. I think Xio wants to have her 1st birthday party there 😉 Really great job Sarah & Lou!!! Each time I see pics of your house I get all whiny to Andres about wanting to own a home already.

    Reply
    • Sarah Yates|

      HA!!!! Thanks Junia and sorry Andres! 🙂
      We’re hoping to have a party sometime this summer, hopefully you’ll be able to make it! xx

      Reply
  9. Susan|

    Wow, this looks fabulous! I’ve learned about “yardscaping” since moving to Austin, Texas, and it’s amazing how elegant it can look (not to mention easier to maintain!).

    Reply
    • Sarah Yates|

      Thanks Susan!
      RIGHT?! It’s not something I’d ever heard of on the east coast but I am in love with the style now! 🙂

      Reply
  11. anika|

    Everything you do is always amazing… This backyard is a dream! Love me some Lowes! Removing our lawn was the best thing we ever did all of the desert guys we have are in heaven and massive a year and a half after they were planted

    Reply
    • Sarah Yates|

      Awe, thank you Anika!! <3
      I love me some Lowes too! I am the weird girl that has as much fun there as I do in the beauty section of department stores! HA!
      I cannot wait to see our plants in a year! It's going to be so beautiful! And di you notice a million new birds + butterflies when you planted? We have so many more hummingbirds and I love it!

      Reply
    • Sarah Yates|

      Thank you Tori! It’s on pause for now but we’ll see what the future brings! 🙂

      Reply
    • Sarah Yates|

      HA! Thanks Molly! There definitely are days when it feels extra hard to get any work done! 🙂

      Reply
    • Sarah Yates|

      Thank you! That LA Dept of Water and Power deal sounds AMAZING!!!! Wish they were doing it in Palm Springs! 🙂

      Reply
  16. Katie|

    This is STUNNING!! Seriously you do live in a resort. Job well done! 🙂 I’m in love with your hammock.

    Reply
    • Sarah Yates|

      Thank you Katie!! So if I live in a resort does that mean I can now get away with wearing only resort wear? I am loving the sounds of a wardrobe of caftans and swim cover ups! 🙂

      Reply
    • Sarah Yates|

      Thank you so much Lisa!! I wish I could have a pool party with everyone that stops by here, that would be so much fun!

      Reply
  20. Kevin | Thou Swell|

    The transformation is amazing! I absolutely love the idea of planting with drought resistant regional plants to keep things low-maintenance. I definitely think you should put a dining table under the hammock structure, it would be perfect for outdoor entertaining! I can’t wait to see all the plants grow in.

    Reply
  21. Tami|

    Your back yard looks like a tropical oasis. I love it. I would want to stay out there all day long. 🙂

    Reply
  23. s.montgomery|

    You guys, it turned out so beyond words good!! The Palm Springs desert is always the happy place I go to in my head…but now may I borrow your hammock to add to that scene?

    Reply
  24. 3girls1apple|

    I’m in absolute awe of this backyard. It’s something out of a movie or a vacation home ad. You guys did an amazing job! xoxo
    3girls1apple.com

    Reply
  28. Kaycee Thayer|

    Hi Sarah,
    Your house has always been an inspiration. My husband and I are trying to decide what color to paint our exterior and are having such a difficult time. What color did you end up repInting your house in?
    Thanks,
    Kaycee

    Reply
  29. Kristy|

    Hi Sarah, came across this makeover on instagram. It’s so gorgeous! I see that you’ve since moved and are in San Diego. Welcome! I’m a San Diego native 🙂 We are in the midst of a backyard reno. Do you remember what kind of wood you used for the decking? Thank you! – Kristy

    Reply
  30. Tuan|

    Great backyard! Which type of plant is used for the tall hedge around the fence? I love those but not able to find the correct name.

    Reply