More Makeovers

We're all the way up on the Upper West Side today for another Summer makeover-this time at the front of a historical landmark building.

The owners of this building are renovating it's foundation, and with that comes the need to renovate the planters that flank its entrance.

First, we had to spend about a week completely digging out the entire box. This was no easy feat, and came with a LOT of surprises that had been buried deep in the ground over the past century.

Next, we had to lay down rocks and gravel to prepare for the substrate to be completed:

Now, with all the dirty work out of the way, the area is once again ready for a brand new spectacular front garden!

Plagued by Pollen and Poles!

After two long weeks, we're back on the blog! (miss us??)

We have officially hit the ground running (sprinting, really) here at All Decked Out, and we have been busy nearly every day installing new gardens all over the city, all while fighting the good fight-seasonal allergies!

As you may be able to guess, one of the most exciting and equally daunting parts of Spring installations is that you never can tell exactly what to expect-especially in a city as old and storied as New York. 

Last week, during a backyard installation on the Upper West Side, we encountered the remnants of a chain-link fence installed at least 80-100 years prior. While digging a large hole for a new Cherry tree, we struck concrete and metal. Unable to stray from the original design of the garden, we spent the next THREE HOURS with a sledgehammer and pick steadily chipping away at the antique foundation.

Above: Diego, Gui, and Jessica posing in a pollen fog of victory with the enemy pole

After all our hard work, not only were we finally able to pull the (3ft long!) metal pole and it's concrete base out of the ground, but the Cherry tree looked perfect in it's corner spot :). A job well worth the work!