We have been really needing to get the exterior of our house painted. And so last summer, we made two decisions:1. The was no chance whatsoever that we could do this ourselves. It's a big house, and hadn't been painted for at least 12 years. The wood was bare in many spots and scraping paint is kind of like fingernails on a chalk board to me. I scraped one side of the hen house last summer before retreating to my room with permanent goosebumps. Plus Doug is so busy and travels so much it seemed laughable that he could ever get the job done. So we hired a guy, who with his crew, did the whole thing in about nine days. Totally worth the expense.
2. What color? The house was a light yellow, with blue shutters. A combination I hated from the first minute I saw it. I liked the idea of taupe with black shutters and with off white trim to match the trim inside, however, I kept coming back to the feeling that the house should be a classic white with black shutters. I liked the idea of all our interior color enveloped by a white exterior (Our house is full of color; the dining room is a tomato red, the kitchen is a squash yellow, apple green in the office and a sandy brown in my studio. The kids chose blue, mustard, lavender for their rooms and our bedroom is a warm grey.) So that's what we went with. White. I did choose a few less conservative details. The porch floor is barn red and the porch ceiling is a natural wood bead board.
We think it looks beautiful and I still get really excited when I drive towards the house and get a glimpse of it through the trees. Ok, I am aware that I need to get a life. Heh. But the funny thing is that not one single person has noticed it, none of our friends who have stopped by or our neighbors who pass by each day. Sheesh! How can anyone not notice such perfection!?
And what's really exciting is that after four years, we finally have a step from the TV room to the patio. It was a 3 foot drop until we had the step put in a few weeks ago. Total luxury!
9 comments:
Wow! What a beautiful home you have. No wonder you love it so much.
Looks fantastic to me, Tracy. Can't believe no one noticed.
Your back porch looks like mine almost exactly. (except, ours is still in the "needs scraping and painting" mode). The red floor was a master touch, and I go for the white and black.
Mah-velous! This house will dominate your kid's memories. Amazing how a coat of paint can rev up our lives. But then, that's what we do, isn't it?
The house looks great! I am envious of how much space you have and also such a great porch. Must be great sitting outside and reading a book.
Thanks Angela, we do love it. Even though it is SUCH a money pit:)
Thanks Cheryl, we still can't get over it. How nice it looks and that no one notices, that is.
Casey, that's our lovely new porch, rebuilt last fall. I always hated the battleship grey floor, standard around here and I kept envisioning it to be red.
Karen, You are right about a coat of paint. It's like regeneration for me:)
Shawn, It IS great to just relax on the porch. Last night we sat out there and watched a good old thunderstorm come in.
I think they notice but just like me ... I am envy of it ....haha
I would be very proud like you if I had such beautiful house to go back to.
many happy seasons still to come in it.
I love it! I know what you mean about no one noticing...
What a gorgeous house.
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