Extreme Home Makeover (kinda)

We have now been in our house for a little over a year. Chip's summer project was to build shutters and install cypress columns. These were not originally intended as the first projects to take place in the house. The interior was supposed to get remodeled first. Because we had the very large, 70 year-old oak tree fall on our house in January, we decided to go ahead and do the outside first since we needed a new roof and gutters. Luckily, insurance covered the roof (except for some minor upgrades we made). In April, we cleaned out some old hedges, mulched the flower beds, and planted flowers in window boxes. Chip worked really hard to help save some money and build the shutters himself. Considering he has never really built anything before, he did a GREAT job! My brother helped him with the columns because they were solid cypress. I was shocked at how different it made our house look with new plants, paint, shutters, and columns. The next step will be to put a drive pad in so we don't have to do the constant "car shuffle" at night. Then, we will work on the backyard. Chip was so handy that he is going to work on building a deck next spring/summer. The backyard will have to wait until next year. Here are a few before and after pictures of the house. 

Before

Shutters

After (hedges are gone in front of door too)

After