Before & After: Leah Steen's Lovely Garden

Leah Ball Steen, who owns the Revival Home and Garden shop in Seattle, didn't even know she wanted a garden until she lived in an apartment. Without any outdoor space to speak of, she found herself longing for some land. Then when she and her husband finally found a little house they could afford, it did indeed come with some land... but that's really all it was: LAND. A lawn with a few sad shrubs, just begging to be tilled and tended into a beautiful garden. So that's exactly what they did...

Over time, with a lot of dedication, labor hours, and help from Leah's garden-loving mom, both the front yard and the back have taken shape beautifully. We love the paving stones they've installed leading to the house from the street—it's such a welcoming design, especially compared to the slapdash concrete path that was there before. A stunning clematis, intertwined with a yellow climbing rose, hangs over the door, completing the warm and cottage-y look.

In the back, a concrete fountain built by Leah's husband anchors the garden. The fountain is pretty but simple, so it blends into the garden instead of calling attention to itself, like so many elaborate fountains do. The paving stones underneath the fountain are demolished pieces of an old RV parking pad that used to be behind the house. Leah's husband (who sounds like a pretty good guy to have around!) also built a concrete fire pit, as well as the shed you see pictured above.

To read more about the garden transformations, visit Leah's Revival Home and Garden blog. And of course if you like her style, you'll also want to check out the Revival Home and Garden web site, where you can browse through Leah's vintage finds and shop online.

(Images: Leah Ball Steen)

Holy smokes, that is one heck of an undertaking and the end results are vavavoom. You had me a the box hedges and the fountain. Bravo!

posted by Seaside on June 16th 2009 at 9:29pm
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This is incredible and perfect.
The subtle color choices, purple-grey, lavender, greens, white and natural wood. Lush and clever plantings. Even thoughtful enough to border both neighbors' yards with bountiful flowering shrubs, very nice.

posted by stt64 on June 16th 2009 at 9:38pm
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How utterly charming.

posted by faith on June 16th 2009 at 9:40pm
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Totally gorgeous.

posted by michpc on June 16th 2009 at 10:08pm
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Amazing.

posted by iheartdesign on June 16th 2009 at 10:42pm
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Beautiful!

posted by anmar on June 16th 2009 at 10:59pm
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SO Beautiful!

posted by mollymcg on June 16th 2009 at 11:43pm
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yay seattle!!

posted by SpanishOlives on June 16th 2009 at 11:55pm
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Thanks, Decorno.

posted by JoeyBrill on June 17th 2009 at 12:45am
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Actually, spotted this on Leah's own blog, not on (the fabulous) Decorno... but glad to know that Leah's garden is getting so much notice!

- Susie

posted by susiekn on June 17th 2009 at 12:59am
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I've never considered myself to belong to the generation that uses the word "lovely", but this IS lovely!

posted by JR in Sweden on June 17th 2009 at 4:37am
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Wow! This is one great transformation!

posted by Lillian on June 17th 2009 at 6:06am
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Wow, such an amazing job! It is so rare to see that much attention paid to the area in front of the sidewalk. It's so often a "forgotten zone." Just FABULOUS!

posted by jprich on June 17th 2009 at 6:33am
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I bet their neighbors love them!

posted by home body on June 17th 2009 at 7:31am
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Blown away. This garden took thought, planning, vision and imagination. My (envy filled) congratulations!

posted by katlia on June 17th 2009 at 7:37am
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How beautiful! Agree with jprich. I've heard the area in front of the sidewalk referred to as the "hell zone" because it is usually neglected but they've done a great job.

posted by mayabee on June 17th 2009 at 8:15am
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wow, incredible garden transformation. I have to say, I strongly preferred the before color of the house, though.

posted by amt230 on June 17th 2009 at 8:41am
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Everything so perfect! I wonder how much maintenance is needed to keep this so perfect, I'm thinking maybe a lot.

posted by JoanneM on June 17th 2009 at 8:45am
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Wow. Beautiful. Well done, I want to move across the street from you so I could look at this everyday!

posted by design.is.good on June 17th 2009 at 9:23am
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Great job!! It's beautiful!

posted by spanky on June 17th 2009 at 10:07am
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So beautiful--and that gorgeous plum color on the house, complimented with the light purple vine, so charming!

posted by jen_g on June 17th 2009 at 10:27am
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How wonderful!!!

posted by Kate (NC) on June 17th 2009 at 10:37am
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It's so quaint and lovely.

I'd love to live there!

posted by fade on violet on June 17th 2009 at 12:15pm
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It looks amazing! Great job, and I love how imaginative your plant choices are!

posted by tracipants on June 17th 2009 at 12:22pm
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That's beautiful. I love the new paint color too- really complements all the new greenery out front. I just bought a condo with a little yard and now you've inspired me to do something with it other than keep the weeds under control.

posted by insanity_pepper on June 17th 2009 at 1:12pm
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Impressive. Just the kind of transformation (but not the style) I want to do at my new place: overnight and for free! (So, sadly, I'm doomed to be disappointed for the next several years as it REALLY builds up slowly!)

posted by SherryBinNH on June 17th 2009 at 1:58pm
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WOWZA!

posted by ShellyinMSP on June 17th 2009 at 6:29pm
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absolutely terrific, honestly!!!

does anyone know what kind of vine that is over the front door??? i cannot really tell from looking at it.

posted by austin Charles Benton on June 18th 2009 at 10:46am
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nevermind. i reread the article and found out that it is a clematis..

posted by austin Charles Benton on June 18th 2009 at 10:47am
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I'm absolutely in love with it. It gives me the enthusiasm ot do something like this once I get my little fill of land. jejeje

posted by Maroha on June 20th 2009 at 12:55pm
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I've been thinking of it all week.

posted by Kate (NC) on June 20th 2009 at 3:52pm
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this is such a dream!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted by annalyssa on June 20th 2009 at 6:34pm
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Wow! What a transformation! Totally gorgeous!!

posted by junklover on June 21st 2009 at 8:05am
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Few people can pull off such a perfect exterior renovation. Love it!

posted by baileyb on June 21st 2009 at 12:13pm
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