We’re still wrapping things up in Richmond for now, and we want to wait until we’re there in person to publish a full progress post about our Florida house’s exterior so we can include lots of fresh photos. That detailed exterior update will arrive next week — by then we’ll be moved — but this post is no consolation prize. It’s every bit as dramatic as the before-and-after tour we shared of our current house’s interior. In fact, the transformation of our Richmond home’s exterior might be the biggest single update we’ve ever completed. Let’s dive in.

We actually unearthed a video tour of the house exterior from way back in 2013, and seeing that “before” footage made the after photos and video far more satisfying. We’d long known we’d done a lot of work outside over the years, but comparing the two moments in time highlighted just how far the property has come.

Because the before tour gives important context, we recommend checking it out alongside the after footage when you get a chance. The contrast makes the improvements much easier to appreciate. Below we also include the after tour we filmed recently; when we recorded it most of our exterior planters and outdoor furniture were already packed in the POD bound for Florida, which explains some missing styling details.

Note: the before and after videos were both recorded previously and provide a helpful visual timeline of the changes described below.

When we first bought the house, the backyard looked pretty rough. We discovered several trees that needed to be removed immediately for safety and insurance reasons — one was even described by the inspector as growing right through the deck and “tickling” the foundation, and others were hollow inside.

Over the years we made a series of major changes. We converted an enclosed sunroom into an open back porch, removed the deteriorating deck, and later added a DIY vine trellis that has flourished. Small steps accumulated into substantial improvements: new porch flooring, a vaulted and planked ceiling, and updates that turned an awkward sunroom into a welcoming outdoor living space.

The backyard itself evolved slowly but deliberately. While we never quite got around to replacing the pea gravel patio with stone, the yard received careful grading, an irrigation system we installed ourselves, and landscape lighting to highlight plantings and pathways after dark. Professional landscaping work around the perimeter in 2017 helped tie everything together, and adding a compact shed gave us the storage and character we wanted.

All these changes were guided by a clear vision: a green, usable outdoor space that felt intentional and welcoming. The grass, plantings, and structure work we did over several seasons gradually turned a neglected lot into the yard we’d imagined when we first saw the property.

It’s still surreal to flip between early photos and the final result. That stark contrast is what makes the transformation feel so satisfying — we got this place to the exact look and function we wanted. At the same time, there’s relief in moving on: instead of maintaining nearly an acre, we’re downsizing to about a tenth of an acre in Florida. That will mean less lawn to care for and a smaller, faster project scope for our next outdoor refresh.

Our time with a smaller yard at the beach house taught us a lot about creating a high-impact outdoor space on a compact footprint. We plan to use those lessons in Florida to create another yard we love, but one that requires far less upkeep and can be completed more quickly.

If you want details on specific projects undertaken at the Richmond house, below is a concise list of the major updates and improvements we completed over the years. These entries summarize the most significant changes and provide a clear roadmap of how we transformed the exterior from tired and unsafe to polished and purposeful.

• Converted an enclosed sunroom into a back porch with new flooring
• Removed a deteriorating deck and reconfigured the backyard layout
• Vaulted and planked the back porch ceiling for added visual interest
• Installed landscape lighting to enhance curb appeal and nighttime usability
• Painted the brick exterior to brighten the home’s facade
• Added a compact backyard shed and updated it with paint, window boxes, and lighting
• Built a DIY vine trellis that has matured beautifully
• Maintained and improved the lawn through grading and a homeowner-installed irrigation system
• Created a pea gravel patio area with string lighting for casual outdoor gatherings

Next week we’ll share all the details about the exterior of our new Florida house — photos and notes from our first few days there. We’re scheduled to move later this week and hope to have new photos uploaded by Wednesday the 20th. Stay tuned; we’re excited to show you what’s next.