Submitted by Roeshel from Evangeline’s Vine (that’s me! lol)
Finally! I can share the transformation of the back of our home! Here is our progress in pictures… Our home when we bought it. 
Hard to see from the distance, there were two single doors with awnings. Ugly. But I could see potential which is a good thing most of the time, except that “potential” doesn’t happen over night! Right away, we installed two sets of French doors. I love them! It changes the entire look of the back of our house. However, the old sidewalks didn’t line up and we lived with it for 2 years. 
And take a look at the old light fixtures. Yuck!
So…this spring, we decided to put in a concrete patio. However – the concrete part wasn’t DIY. It was way too big of an area and required professionals.
See that progress here. We got some new furniture (the table/chairs go under the grape arbor when it’s completed). Mr. DIY changed out the lights for me to give it an updated fresh look.
Edited to add: Here’s the link to my DIY candle jars! 🙂
http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2009/07/copper-penny-jar-candles.html
We also hung window boxes to help disguise the upstairs windows which need replaced (another project for another time) and pull the main level and upper level together.Now:
You can’t see the window boxes well in the pictures…but here is what they looked like before they were hung:
Okay – I’m getting a little camera-happy…but I just can’t believe the change in the back of our home. This is where everyone enters our house, so no more being embarrassed or giving “please watch your step” reminders!
Hard to see from the distance, there were two single doors with awnings. Ugly. But I could see potential which is a good thing most of the time, except that “potential” doesn’t happen over night! Right away, we installed two sets of French doors. I love them! It changes the entire look of the back of our house. However, the old sidewalks didn’t line up and we lived with it for 2 years. 
And take a look at the old light fixtures. Yuck!
So…this spring, we decided to put in a concrete patio. However – the concrete part wasn’t DIY. It was way too big of an area and required professionals.See that progress here. We got some new furniture (the table/chairs go under the grape arbor when it’s completed). Mr. DIY changed out the lights for me to give it an updated fresh look.
Edited to add: Here’s the link to my DIY candle jars! 🙂 http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2009/07/copper-penny-jar-candles.html
We also hung window boxes to help disguise the upstairs windows which need replaced (another project for another time) and pull the main level and upper level together.
Again – before:
Now: 
You can’t see the window boxes well in the pictures…but here is what they looked like before they were hung:
Okay – I’m getting a little camera-happy…but I just can’t believe the change in the back of our home. This is where everyone enters our house, so no more being embarrassed or giving “please watch your step” reminders!
All that’s left to do is fix the siding below were the old concrete ramp/sidewalk met the old single doors and plant grass!
What do you think? We are SO happy it’s just about done. It’s going to be a great area for entertaining! Being The DIY Show Off Feature is so much fun – it feels so good to show the world our hard work, doesn’t it?
(Still working on the covered/barn patio and grape arbor – almost done! Then we can ENJOY summer, right?)
Wow, amazing transformation!!!! Love it D&M!
Looks great! I love the large seating area and the window boxes! Lovely!
Looks beautiful! I love your furniture – it looks so inviting. And all of the greenery really softens the space. Great job!
Love it!!! Especially all of the plants, makes it feel extra cozy. 🙂
How amazing! What a fabulous transformation. It's very welcoming and makes you want to sit down with a glass of tea! Great job!!
I love the black shutters and all the gorgeous flowers and greens.
This is wonderful. I love your french doors and patio, furniture. It all looks great. What a great transformation!
Beautiful patio! What a wonderful change that I'm sure you love to use and look at.
OMG! You won't believe the similarities here! Last fall we had two brick walls knocked out to have two walls of French doors put in. We have the VERY same ugly outdoor light fixture you have. But we have THREE of them. And I can't wait until Robert the carpenter takes them down and puts new ones up. SOOOO ugly, aren't they? AND, we bought the same chairs you have a few weeks ago. But the love seat was already sold out! Isn't that something? We must have a lot of the same tastes! Your outdoor space looks fantastic!
Brenda
Beautiful metamorphosis!
I've done concrete work, when adding on rooms and a patio. I can totally understand getting someone to do it! And in fact, every concrete job after that renovation was done by pro's. Learned our lesson :-).
This looks like a great place to hang out, have a lemonade, or a margarita…
Wow , quite impressive ! So rich looking now and love all the patio furniture !
Hugs ~ Kammy
It is amazing how a few changes can make such a huge and beautiful difference. Great job. I'm sure you are enjoying it!
Oh, wow, I LOVE what you did with the back of your house. Those french doors make all the difference in the world! This looks like a wonderful place to relax. Ahhh…
Hi there girlie!
Oh.My. It looks amazing, Roeshel. Truly magnificent. I'm so glad you got to finish it up and now you can enjoy it. (Well, soon anyway)
Love, love it! I can't get over what a difference the french doors make alone. So when's the christening? I think I might have to clear some stuff off my calendar. 😉
XOXO
*tricia
That looks great!
This looks just beautiful – love your furniture choice too, very classy!
It looks wonderful. I know you will really enjoy it. Your furniture and everything looks so inviting. Hugs, Marty
I love what you've done … it is beautiful and fits the design of the home perfectly. Tell us about those candles … are those coins inside the jars??
Beautiful transformation! Everything looks so pretty and inviting! Bravo!
Tina
Wow Roeshel – it looks awesome!
Ditto! Just beautiful!
It looks so great! Love it, Love it!
So beautiful! You have very classic American taste I am in love with your home. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little jealous. I adore how it looks like it just melts into the land. You lucky girl!
Beautiful transfromation. I really like the black lantern lights.
Ohhhh (can you hear me clapping?) what a great job in transformation!
I especially love the furnishings you selected.
I bet you will find many wonderful, restful hours there… 🙂 Drink a glass of lemonade for me.
TTFN~~Claudia ♥
I. LOVE. THAT.
It looks great. Better than Great!
French Doors. Just the words make me swoon.
Now how are you going to water those window boxes?
Wow, what a transformation! Your backyard looks so inviting. Great job!
Looks so peaceful & inviting, I love the lanterns you chose. Great job!
Oh. My. God…….enough said. That looks FANTASTIC!!!!! Please pretty please can you come do my back yard next? I am amazing at the transformation…….
Your back patio is so rich looking. I'll have to check out more of your blog – you are very creative and talented!
Looks great! I think we had the exact same light fixture on our house when we moved in and we changed it to one very similar to what you added. Love the French doors!
French doors make everything look better! Your back yard and house look like a whole new place! I like your wreaths, but could not tell what they were made out of. Great vision!
What a beautiful home….from the back! I love everything you did, just lovely!
Just beautiful! I would go out there everyday even in 100 degree weather!
WONDERFUL job, Roeshel!! It looks a million times better!!
Looks GREAT!!!! Just as I expected 🙂
Yay! I'm so happy for you…I know how hard you and the hubs (and those concrete guys) worked on this! It looks amazing! Totally worth the wait…this is going to be such an awesome space to hang out in. I suck at outdoor stuff, so I'm in awe that you had the vision and determination to see this through! Loove the french doors (and those cute wreaths) and the topiary trees, they add such charm, almost like being in Europe or something. When can I come over?
Awsome transformation!
Love that makeover! It's beautiful! You know what – we had those fixtures on the front of our house and replaced them with bronze, and then used the ones like you used on the back of our house! Linda
Wonderful makeover – it looks fantastic! I love that you have those two distinct seating areas!
Manuela
Aw…thanks so much everyone! You guys are the best! Your comments, you're being here and your support makes blogging so much fun!
In answer to some questions – added a link to the post about my candles. 🙂
AND – I'm looking for a wand for my hose to reach those higher windows. Thankfully the outside water spigot is right around the corner. For now, I'm opening windows on the second story and for once (I'll never say it again)…I don't mind a rainy day once in a while! haha
Thanks again, everyone. It really does feel good to show off hard work!
Have a fun, productive and wonderful week!
Roeshel
French doors – woo hoo! Your new patio looks fantastic! Great seating areas and new lights! I bet it looks great inside too! ~ Robyn
Really nice….we have considered french doors as well; but I am a bit afraid of it making it an easier way to break in…but I love the look and the extra light it would give.
Wow Roeshel, that is a fabulous renovation! I love everything you've done! Don't you just love it when your vision comes to life?!!
thank you for your sweet well wishes- they were very much appreciated!
joan
Amazing!
LOVE back patios — awesome job!!