Oh my gosh guys! I love my white picket fence! Is the yard done? NO. Do I still have more to do? Always! But the fence is done and is finally painted. I took advantage of some cooler weather in early June to really knock out the fence. It took the better part of three days to do the long side, the back and the driveway side. The front has been finished for a while now.
Let’s look at some before and after pics, shall we?
You can see there needs to be some more work done—I will probably never get it ALL done. The brown swing will get an update to look more like the front arbor. The small red porch post, got a fresh coat of black paint.
If you would like to see a REAL before, from 2012, see the post I've been busy.
The rustic flag will need to find a new home. I will not be hanging it on my new picket fence.
The arbor is definitely my favorite part of the fence, and I think the gutter planters were a perfect solution to brighten it up. The sidewalk is still on the to-do list.
There were some plants removed, including a holly bush on this fence line. The holly tree right in the corner got a nice trim.
The peonies were moved, and the pine tree on the left got a trim.
These are some day lilies and a rose bush I call Jamie—it’s been in this yard for probably 35 years.
These are some hardy hibiscus I got from a neighbor years ago.
Not only do I curb furniture, I also pick up random plants. I had to cut back this rose bush (Curby) that was out of control, and not worth trying to paint around.
This calla lily is one of the plants that hasn’t been dealt with yet this year. It needs to be mulched and weeded. But I wanted to show you how pretty it looks against the new white fence.
I used old sheets, and some scraps of vinyl wallpaper to cover all the plants while I was painting.
My hydrangea, that has grown sooo much. I moved it a year ago, and it didn’t bloom at all last year. I was anxious to see what color the blooms would be, you can see they are a little bit of all shades of pink, blue and purple.
And I’ll end with my favorite picture.
Although I absolutely LOVE my new white picket fence, if you’re a perfectionist who is a clean freak you may not want to paint YOUR fence white. Sometimes I just have to look the other way when I see mud splashed on the bottom, or grass clippings thrown up on the boards.
Long story short, we started the fence in early November, and I finally finished it in early June. Hoping to get the swing pergola done this summer, but the sidewalk will either be done by me in the fall, or I may hire it out before then. stay tuned!
gail
Sharing here: Creative Spark Link Party
if you'd like more details on how the white picket fence was designed:
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Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Cheri Mello
LOVE ā¤ļø Your Fence šš¼ā„ļøšš¼āļøVERY COOL āļøAnd Also The Arch Piece š„°Thank YOU For Sharing! It Just Looks So Nice and clean . G-dā„ļøBless
Gail Wilson
Thank you so much Cheri!
It's been years, and it still makes me smile daily! š
Terrieann
What size ate the pickets? Would love to try it! Looks great!
Gail Wilson
Thank you! I am still in love with my picket fence.
The pickets are all different lengths. I bought 12 foot length boards and cut them in thirds making each of the pickets 4 feet. Then I cut them to size as we installed each board.
I hope that helps!
gail
Tina
Great fence. May I ask how high it is at the high ends and the middle? I love the variation on the heights. But I am hoping it can be done at a high height so I can fence in my dog that may jump a low fence.
Gail Wilson
Tina,
Thanks so much. You really can make it any size. I measured three sides and they are all different. The shortest is Post (46.75) shortest board is 40.5.
The front side post is 48.5 and the shortest board is 43.5 The tallest side the long side on the road is post 48.5 and board 43.5.
I hope this helps!
gail
Meg
What a difference! The arbor with the hanging planters is definitely the best part! Do you have to be careful trimming or mowing next to the white fence? Are grass stains a concern? I'd love to do something like this someday!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Meg,
As I mentioned above
"Although I absolutely LOVE my new white picket fence, if youāre a perfectionist who is a clean freak you may not want to paint YOUR fence white. Sometimes I just have to look the other way when I see mud splashed on the bottom, or grass clippings thrown up on the boards."
I use the weedeater on both sides of the fence so that the lawn mower wheels don't "scar" the white fence. The grass clippings are a bit of a problem, especially if the grass isn't totally dry when I mow. (I use a mulching mower)
hope this helps
gail
Brette
Love the fence. Congrats on finishing it.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Thank you Brette, there will always be something to do outside... but at least the fence is done!
gail
Wendi @ H2OBungalow
I've been meaning to stop by to see your finished fence.. Charming! Love your design, the pergola and the pretty arching fence shape. I know this was an overwhelming project but the result is so stunning it was worth it!
cassie @ primitive & proper
wow, gail! what a difference! bravo!
Suesan
Gail, you are a miracle worker! It really turned out so well. I'm sure the neighbors love the new look as much as you do!
Mary
BEAUTIFULLY DONE!!! Love it! Good things are known to be catchy too.
Debbie Refresh Restyle
I know it took a lot of time and blood, sweat and tears š It looks amazing and really changes the look of your home and probably the neighborhood! You are a miracle worker!
Debbie
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Thank you so much Debbie for your sweet comment. It's an old home in a bad neighborhood, so yes it does improve the look of both! š
gail
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking
You did a fabulous job on the fence and the whole yard. You should be very, very pleased!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Thank you Julie, it sure does make me smile every time I look out the window!
lavadamalone/Sunny
My gosh, Gail...that is a stunning transformation!!! I have never liked white picket fences, but this one is making me rethink my choices!!! Beautiful!!!!!!!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
awww, I'm so happy you left a comment Sunny! Halfway through the process I was wondering what I had gotten myself into.... but in the end--all worth it!
gail