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August 17, 2009

Looking better all the time!

Time to share another progress update of our yard and house rejuvenation project!

But first… can you believe that Susan, from the terrific blog Between Naps on the Porch and host of the extremely popular blog party Metamorphosis Monday, is fast approaching her 1 year blogoversary?! How fantastic is that?! And to celebrate this tremendous milestone she’s giving a little something away each day of her blogoversary week!! So once you’ve read my little post, be sure to head back to Susan’s Between Naps on the Porch to enter her give-away (today, every day!!)  AND to check out the transformations shared by her many, many Met Monday blog party participants!  Congratulations Susan!!!

Now… my Metamorphosis Monday contribution :-)

This weekend… we painted our house.

Our little 1939 working-man’s bungalow before:

[16Feb08] Exterior 3

 And earlier today…

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Not quite finished (story of my life!!), but ohhh so close!

We (well… specifically, my brother Brad) painted the house a lovely, warm, rich Gloucester Sage (Benjamin Moore) which I HEART, and now it’s my turn to paint all the trim which… as you can see… will be black. Finally, I’m using Butter Cream (also Benny Moore) on all the railing spindles. I still have to finish the deck railings… and, after my husband re-sides some areas, I’ll be painting the stair base in the next week or so in more Gloucester Sage.

Speaking of my husband… while Brad and I were working on the house Brian was busy, busy, busy digging, tramping and building more retaining walls!! In the photo above you can see that he’s almost finished with wall #3 (close to the house) and he’s finished the first row of wall #2 (just behind the first wall). He’s doing an absolutely wonderful job!!

Wanna see how crazy I am??!!

The two photos below were taken when I was up, painting the fascia at the peak of the house… I was certainly a little terrified! In the picture on the left… waaaayy down by the side walk… you can barely see Brian, where he was working on #2 wall!! Yikes!

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Finally back on solid ground… I painted the front door!

On the left, the original door. I liked this door allot, but one of the panes of glass in the leaded window was cracked and the door panel was a single, skinny piece of wood – that and the fact that there was a mail slot in it (i.e., a hole!) meant that cold winter air would seep in very easily! So last fall we replaced it with a great AND insulated door. Of course when dressed in white it was only a little bit special.

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Now that it’s RED, though, it’s really, really special!!!

I LOVE it!!

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Okay… now I need YOUR help with TWO decisions…

One: In order to relate the Butter Cream I used on the railings back to the house, I decided to paint a detailing on the fascia in the same colour. The thing is… I’m not sure whether I like the look. Take a look… Brian says he’d prefer to have it all black… what do you think??

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Two: I LOVE the Sundried Tomato I used on the front door… my issue… you can’t really see the door from the street  :-(   How sad that only people climbing the stairs can enjoy this wonderful colour!! So I found myself wondering if and where I could incorporate the red colour in the house. Of course I could do it with flowers and other plantings… but then I thought of this…

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…painting a red strip just below the black of my stair & deck railings. Above is just a sample – I only painted one coat so it’s not quite as red as it would eventually be – but a little something to give Brian and I… AND YOU… and idea of how it could look. Again, what do you think? I’d carry this colour all around the front deck, too.

Please share your thoughts on my two queries above!!

And then make your way back to Susan’s Between Naps on the Porch for more fun transformations!!

Thanks everyone!!sigv

Follow the transformation of our house & front yard:

Working through our project list…

Can you see beyond the ugly NOW? (or Part III)

Part II: Can you see beyond the ugly?

Can you see beyond the ugly?

19 comments:

The House That A-M Built said...

Red stripe .... yes absolutely! Cream on the gutter... I say keep it... it adds detail and those who love detail... will notice it! Love your new door glass. Stay safe, those 'aerial' photos are scary. A-M xx

Kat said...

This is really looking beautiful Victoria! I love the color you chose, and the trim colors are perfect. I'm undecided about the white on the fascia trim, I think it looks good either way, but I love the red stripe on the railings. And I LOVE that front door. Kathy

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Victoria ~ First of all, it looks fantastic! Second, you are crazy; I'm afraid of heights and I'm lucky I get up to the third rung on a ladder! I got dizzy just looking at the pictures - j/k! : )

I have to agree with Brian - I like it better all black. I don't think I'd do the red strip either. I understand what you're saying about the door, but I'd try to bring attention and red in some other ways. Maybe accessories like red numbers for your address, some outdoor wall type thingy's that have red, a mailbox, things along those lines.

You must feel like this is neverending, Victoria, but you are all doing a great job and soon you'll be able to stand back and just admire it!

Allison said...

Love the new house color!

Terry said...

I don't know about the red stripe. I like the idea of red things you can move around, flowers, flower pots, etc..

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

My vote...
One: keep the trim all black
Two: Love the red stripe idea, that seems like a great detail without too much commitment, and it's continuing the color that you like!
Looking great overall!

Susan said...

Hi Victoria,

I think the progress you are making looks fantastic. It's a great transformation.
Here are my thoughts.

I would not keep the yellow accent trim band. but I think I would do the red accent. If it looks too busy when you're done it can always be painted back.

I have a suggestion for you and Brian to consider that I think would look fabulous. And sorry but it will cost you more money and time :)

I think if you added a vertical board and batten detail to the large peak above your window/door and painted all of it out the same black as the rest of the trim it would relate nicely to the lines in your spindles and overall. I wouldn't do it the entire size of the peak but 3/4 or a touch more would look really sharp. Just a thought.

cheers,
Susan

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Victoria, I just can't believe how wonderful the house is looking. You guys are amazing. I can't decide on any of the paint, I think it all looks fabulous. You have such a wonderful eye, that I would just trust your instincts. Looks fabulous. Hugs, Marty

Maya@Completely Coastal said...

First off..., I hope you make it through this reno in one piece -first the lightening, now you're standing at the edge of the roof! Regarding the red (love the door)..., maybe a red house number somewhere?

ImagineCozy said...

How fun! It is looking just beautiful, I especially love the red door. I like the red on the railing. You have an eye for this, just keep going!
-Angela

Unknown said...

Hi Victoria, It is really coming along beautifully! Girl your are c-r-a-z-y to be up that high, made my knees shake just looking at the photos! About the white, sorry, I'm with Brian. I love the red door! It is beautiful! For me, I would paint the trim red, I'd add touches of red, in things like flower planters/containers, railing flower boxes, a bench or chairs, etc. Definitely go with what you love! I can't wait to see how it all turns out! I'm still in awe of all the work on the wall and the steps. Beautiful!

Tina

Donna @ Paisley and Perspective said...

Wow - what a great transformation. I love all of your colour choices. How did the house painting go? Any tips on using the sprayer?

For your dilemmas - keep the butter cream on the trim, but no red on the railing. How about a couple of adirondack chairs in sundried tomato on the front porch? Or some other accessories in the same colour.

Great progress on the retaining walls!

Maria Killam said...

Hi Victoria,
Well you are NOT going to like my opinion (but it's just an opinion) I think the railings that are currently butter cream should be white so that they relate to the vinyl windows (love those by the way, and I'm assuming they are vinyl cause they are so white). I like the fascia black and I would not repeat the red anywhere on the house.
It's a lot of work but it's looking great!
x
Maria

Michelle said...

I like Susan's idea and also I agree with Maria, keep the railings and trim white to match the vinyl of the windows.

I can't beleive you two are the only ones doing the work...it's really coming along. Could you tell your man to talk to mine?

Nice.
Best,
Michelle

Pam Kersting said...

Nice work Victoria! I vote YES for the cream color on the fascia underneath the roof line. It pops out nicely. I also vote NO for the red on the porch rails. Instead, maybe some red shutters for the windows? Or Red flower pots placed where they can be seen from the street? Just some thoughts.

Lara Harris said...

I think all black on the fascia, but you are going to do the black on the deck railings like the stairs, right? I think the red underneath might look kinda cool, I say go for it!And maybe add some red flowerboxes? I think the red you chose gives your house character and life!:)

Its So Very Cheri said...

I like the trim either all black or with the cream -both look great. The red color on the railing looks good as well but it is still hard to see. What about doing it all red instead of red and black?

This is my first time to your blog. I hope you will come for a visit.
Cheri
Its So Very Cheri

Danica said...

I LOVE the door! I would have to say Butter Cream - no, Red - yes! That's just my humble opinion. Have fun with whatever you choose, it's going to look great!

Caroline said...

I really like the door.

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