(Read to the end of the article for advice on redoing your own garden.)

All I wanted was two sets of French doors and a nice garden," says Kay Minor of the 1929 bungalow she and husband Peter bought 10 years ago. Like many young couples, they had moved into an older house with a garden in desperate need of rejuvenation. Kay and Peter knew there was potential hiding under all those weeds and volunteer trees.

"We had just moved in, there were unpacked boxes still standing in the kitchen, but I had all my bulbs planted," confesses Kay, who comes from a farming background. "I feel like I'm not grounded when I'm not digging." With bulbs safely in the ground, the couple began the deliberate process of planning their garden.

WATCH, PLAN, AND PLANT
Kay advises that you "take time to observe the plants and conditions before you start removing and pruning." One of the benefits of moving into an older home is that there are often established trees that provide shade and a framework on which to build. There was a huge oak tree in the front yard of their Charlotte home, plus a magnificent Yoshino cherry and a few dogwoods in the back. They pulled up volunteer trees so they could plant choice ones such as Japanese maples and more evergreens such as boxwoods for winter structure. Kay and Peter planned for their favorite activities--bird watching, eating outside, napping in the shade, and gardening.

PUT YOUR PERSONALITY IN IT
Kay's resourcefulness and creativity are apparent throughout the garden. Her use of found art from antiques shops and flea markets reflects a whimsical style that is perfect for a cottage garden. She dressed up an old storage building in the backyard with window boxes and salvaged shutters, and she put a large mirror between the windows to reflect the garden. Sap buckets and a folk-art piece add bright color. With the addition of a rustic table and chairs, this shady spot is now a sitting area.