An organized space is a visual demonstration of peace and serenity. A clutter-free, ordered, beautifully decorated space makes me feel inspired, happy and energized. I am probably a little OCD, and I am probably a little Type-A personality. I am also probably a little controlling of my environment.

I have been able to let-go a little bit and ease up on the compulsion to organize and accept that life can get in the way of even the best laid plans. Nevertheless, I am still endeavouring to create order and beauty where I can.

You may recall I was reclaiming my basement from all its clutter during the month of June. Well, that project hasn’t gone away, but another project moved up the priority list to first place and I am proud to say it is done enough to share with you.

We just finished a complete landscape re-do project in our front yard. We did all of the labor ourselves, and spent only about $750 on materials and equipment. When we moved into our home two years ago, there were three HUGE shrubs out front with a mulched, natural stone boarder. The shrubs were so huge, we couldn’t see out the window. So we ripped out all the plants and started over.

 This is what we started with (after plant removal).

This is what it looks like now.

To give you an idea of the price of our space:

1. I loved these black urns that were $40 each, but decided to get the plastic terracotta pots and some black spray-paint and make my own planters for a fraction of the cost.

Plastic Pots: $4 ea X4
Black Spray paint: $6
Garden Soil: $3.50 per bag
Rocks for Drainage: from our property
Red Grass: $8 ea X4
Asparagus Fern $5 ea X4
Purple Petunias: $3.50 ea X4
Total $91.50

2.  We widened the walkway with concrete mortar-set pavers on a concrete footer and we created the step-ups by using concrete blocks and slate stone platforms.

Concrete Pavers: $1.20 lrg X24; $1 sml X40
Mortar: $6 per bag X4
Cement: $4 per bag X6
Steel Rebar: $2.50 ea 4′ X6; $2 ea 2′ X8
Total: $147.80

3.  We laid a 4-course dry block retaining wall for the beds with a natural stone returns on either side

Retaining Wall Concrete Blocks: $2.49 X80
Total: $199.20

4. And we planted a blue hydrangea (I was so excited this one) azaleas and balloon flowers

Blue Hydrangea Bush: $40
Magenta Azalea Bush: $25 ea X2
Lime Green Low Cover: $10 ea X3
Balloon Flowers: 2@$5, 1@ $8
Pine Bark Mulch: $2.20 ea X4
Total: $146.80

Finally, to do the job we had to acquire a bunch of equipment including:
Safety Glasses: $15
Chip Hammer: $25
Morter Trowel: $12
Pointing Trowel: $8
Rock Chisel: $15
Work Gloves: $25
4′ Level: $15
2′ level: borrowed
Ax: borrowed
Pick Ax: borrowed
Metal Rake: already had
Shovel: Borrowed
Wheel Barrow: Borrowed
Gardening Trowel: Borrowed
Garden Hose: already had
Garden Spade: already had
Garden Hoe: Borrowed
Small Toddler-Sized Shovel: $10
Total: $125 

The Grand Total for our Landscaped Space: $710.30 so far.

We still need to:

• mortar and set the top step slabs of slate stone
• lay sod
• lay stone in the beds on either side of the stoop
• finished mulching
• select potted plants (my husband wants tall topiaries) on either side of the stoop to mask the bins
•  and replace the outdoor light with a larger one that is black.

I was inspired by natural rock hardscapes in my neighborhood and the orderly look they brought to the outdoor landscape. I wanted to create an entryway that was functional, substantial, and beautiful. I also wanted to plant cutting flowers to also beautify the inside of my home.

Already this space gives us a sense of order and warm beauty as we pass by it every day. The hours and hours of research, budgeting, planning, and labor to create this organized and beautiful space have really paid off and I am now proud to say this is my home. Does organization bring beauty into your space? If so, share your inspiration and thoughts here for other readers to enjoy.

Be sure to scoot on over to The Nesting Place to see some other wonderfully inspirational and beautiful spaces. Happy Organizing!