The front(ish) door has two sets of stairs that we put in place when we first arrived five(ish) years ago. Originally there was one set of wooden steps off the side with playpen-like railing and banisters outlining the safe-zone of the tiny porch. We immediately removed the banister and the wooden stairs went with it. And in came the rock. I neglected to remove the particle board skirting thinking it would probably last a while and would be hidden with plants and flowers. Plus, I needed something there to build the stairs against and no other options were immediately present.

The particle board deteriorated rather quickly and the top step caved in. This set of stairs was always a bit low anyway with a giant step at the top, so it needed to be rebuilt with an additional step added. The skirting was replaced with old ag steel — this too will likely rust out and collapse over time, but I think it will last longer than chipboard.

Lavender kept me relaxed during the entire project.