check out my before and (almost) after pics of my home's exterior

12 years ago

My 1970s faux spanish ranch, here in south fl!

I know how much we hate links to click on, but I am sorry, I have trouble uploading, then posting.

The biggest/most costly change was the driveway. My husband is in the paving business (mostly commercial work) so he made a circular asphalt driveway, let it cure for a few months, then stamped it with a process he specializes in, then coated it in several layers of varying colors to give it an "antiqued" look.

We also painted, changed the awnings (no awnings in front, not needed...but side and back have black awnings) pressure cleaned and sealed the roof, removed light fixtures and sanded and repainted...ummm, seems like we did a lot more, sure did take a long time...but here is the "before!"

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

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Comments (37)

dirtymartini
Original Author
12 years ago
Ok, wish I had a pic already saved of the same angle...but you get the idea! Still going to paint the garage door...should it be color of house or color of trim? Going to do more landscaping up by the house, too.

We are really enjoying our home.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}
dirtymartini
Original Author
12 years ago
ok, sorry, one more link. You can see where we actually painted the house another color (an orangey mustard) and my poor hubby had to paint it AGAIN because I hated it! I really tried to get used to it, but it brought out the pinkish tint in the roof.

My husband also did those concrete culverts under the driveway. We planted some big trees, also (Bismarck palm in center, some more robellinis, another queen palm to balance out the existing queen palms.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}
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juddgirl2
12 years ago
Congratulations on your remodel! Your DH did a great job on the driveway.

Sigh - I miss Florida. Born and partially raised there and would love to move back but so far can't talk DH into it :-D
oceanna
12 years ago
I saved all three pictures to my hard drive, then used tinypic.com to get links on them so they would post here for you. You can do this yourself, as it's easy. You don't need an account. Just takes a few minutes. When the picture codes come up, just copy the first one (first whole line) into your text and it will post here.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Congratulations, it looks SO much nicer, I'm sure you've added great value to your property. Tell hubby nice work!

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to easily upload pictures
loribee
12 years ago
Amazing...it looks wonderful!
rafor
12 years ago
About the garage doors: if you want them to stand out, paint them a different color than the house. If you want them to blend in, paint them the same color as the house. I prefer them to be the same color as the house since I don't want them to be the focal point.

Love the driveway!!! I've always wanted a circular drive. I think they are so practical and look elegant. But what I REALLY want is a porte cochere!!!!!
lyfia
12 years ago
It looks great! Very well done!
Kathleen McGuire
12 years ago
I remember you posting awhile back and all the great suggestions you received. I love the new color and the darker contrasting trim. The driveway is wonderful! Great job DH!
amysrq
12 years ago
Hey DM, it looks great! I love that asphalt treatment....didn't know such a thing existed. When we were in SRQ, we avoided the paver tsunami, mostly because it was cost prohibitive on our football field of a driveway. Wish I had known about that.

Love seeing those rainy season Florida skies...so many amazing clouds!
User
12 years ago
Looks so pretty! I love the way you matched up your colors. I was raised in California where that's a very popular style and honesty, I have to say, that's the best transformation of a Spanish styled ranch I think I've ever seen. Love it!
Bethpen
12 years ago
It looks great!

Beth P.
bird_lover6
12 years ago
Beautiful! What do you have left to do?

I can certainly envision some pots of color around the front entry!

I really love what you did and can't wait to to see photos of it completely finished. (Well....do we ever "completely" finish? :) )
nicole__
12 years ago
Beautiful transformation! Great curb appeal! Very inviting!
franksmom_2010
12 years ago
WOW!!!!

That driveway is asphalt?! It looks like old brick!

I love everything you've done. Your landscaping choices just make the house look fabulous (and bigger. and more grand) the driveway compliments all of it, and the fresh paint is just the perfect touch. I like that you removed the awnings from the front.

I would paint the garage door the color of the house, to minimize it.

Everything looks just fabulous! Congratulations on all of that hard work!!
Cella
12 years ago
Gorgeous! I too vote for painting the garage door the same color as the house.
teacats
12 years ago
Love the transformation -- both the new color AND the wonderful circle driveway -- VERY elegant! :)
schoolhouse_gw
12 years ago
Looks wonderful, nice choice of paint and the driveway is great. The trees make it all picture perfect. Also think painting the garage doors the same color as the house would work, or the tan color. You can always repaint if you don't care for it.
lyfia
12 years ago
I forgot to post earlier, but you might want to consider doing a faux wood look on the garage door.

Here is a link for how to (lots of different ones including videos available if you search ):
Faux wood grain garage door

some pics
queenofmycastle0221
12 years ago
I am so jealous!
natal
12 years ago
Turned out great! Smart move getting rid of those awnings in the front.
CEFreeman
12 years ago
You have absolutely rejuvenated that little house. You've brought the elgegance back.
I can't describe how your home appeals to me!

Here is a picture of my driveway looking from the house towards the road:

Someday, I'll actually have a driveway. Hopefully as beautiful as yours! :)
User
12 years ago
Beautiful! I am in love with your driveway. I also have a circular driveway and you have me thinking...

Really, just a fantastic job by your DH.

I was going to say to paint the garage the same color as the house to minimize it, but I like the wood look that lyfia posted too. I guess it depends what look your going for.
chickadee2_gw
12 years ago
WOW is right! You did an amazing job. Just with paint, landscaping and a new driveway, it looks like a totally different house. Way more expensive. I bet your neighbors are jealous.
itltrot
12 years ago
Stunning! I didn't think it was the same house. It's amazing what removing the awnings from the front and painting can do. Not to mention the awesome driveway!
crazyzoo
12 years ago
I LOVE your driveway!! Would love to do something like that. looks great!
amykath
12 years ago
Love it! What a guy your husband is! I love lyfia's ideas for the garage too!
dirtymartini
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can't tell you how much your compliments mean to me! This has been, and still is, a labor of love. My husband is doing everything himself. Even with no labor costs, we still have to do things slowly, as we get money. He is building our kitchen cabinets next....but how the heck are we going to afford all new appliances???

We love this house and plan on being here a long time. I hope our grandkids will be visiting us here one day. BTW, our daughter is 12. :) so my point is....we are talking15 or 20 years at least. Although between the big yard and the pool and this remodel....we may be ready for a low maintenance condo in 8 years! Lol

Juddgirl-i am a 3rd generation native Miamian! We are now in western broward county. I used to hate Sofla, but I have embraced it. I +like+ the heat amd our tropical weather! It's all I know, I suppose... Anyway, hope you get back here eventually!

Oceanna-thank you so much for not only posting those pictures but also telling me how to do it. I havent clicked the link yet because I want to respond here, but I assure you I will! Your way sounds easier....before I was uploading to photobucket but that took awhile, plus my pics would post small...so thanks!

Will continue posting in a new post...i am typing in the dark on my phone and I am so afraid I am going to accidentally delete my posts! Be right back...
dirtymartini
Original Author
12 years ago
Rafor-porte cocheres are awesome! So elegant. Dont think it would match this house....i would be afraid it would scream "add on!"hope you get yours someday!
Amysrq-hello! yes, love those clouds, and I just LOVE a good thunderstorm!

if you need the driveway paved, then this process costs about the same as brick pavers. However, if your driveway is in good condition, he can heat it and stamp it. Then it is much cheaper. It is better than brick because it doesnt have to be resanded, weeds don't grow thru, bricks don't get out of place, plus...someone's car leaked oil in a big spot when we had a party and I expected my hubby to pitch a fit. He just looked ar me calmly, took a hose and a coarse broom and washed it and scrubbed a little with the broom and the stain was gone! So it is very durable and easy to keep.

I am going to continue posting tomorrow,probably in the afternoon. I am getting so sleepy but I want to respond to a few others. I'll be back tomorrow!:)
justgotabme
12 years ago
Wow DirtyMartini, what a beautiful transformation you two did. I bet you had a hard time going inside when this was all done. I think I'd have plunked a lawn chair out in the street and just sat there gazing at my beautiful home if I were you.
dirtymartini
Original Author
12 years ago
Rafor-porte cocheres are awesome! So elegant. Dont think it would match this house....i would be afraid it would scream "add on!"hope you get yours someday!
Amysrq-hello! yes, love those clouds, and I just LOVE a good thunderstorm!

if you need the driveway paved, then this process costs about the same as brick pavers. However, if your driveway is in good condition, he can heat it and stamp it. Then it is much cheaper. It is better than brick because it doesnt have to be resanded, weeds don't grow thru, bricks don't get out of place, plus...someone's car leaked oil in a big spot when we had a party and I expected my hubby to pitch a fit. He just looked ar me calmly, took a hose and a coarse broom and washed it and scrubbed a little with the broom and the stain was gone! So it is very durable and easy to keep.

I am going to continue posting tomorrow,probably in the afternoon. I am getting so sleepy but I want to respond to a few others. I'll be back tomorrow!:)
dirtymartini
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you justgotabeme! It is true, we find ourselves in the FRONT of the house quite often! The first evening, we poured cocktails and just sat out front and stared. We are very pleased!

CEfreeman-Ohhh, what a long, peaceful country driveway that is! I wouldn't want it to look too "maintained!"

Hi Lyfia! I posted quite awhile ago, I was very gung ho on the faux wood grain...as a matter of fact, I wanted to do a faux carriage door look, adding the rustic hardware. Most people were against it...and this was when I was planning on painting my house a dark color. Now that my house is so light, I don't want a big dark expanse that takes up such a huge chunk of the front. If my house were bigger, or the paint darker,I would consider it. I do love that look, just not for this house at this time.

birdlover-yes, we are thinking two big black pots on either side of the arch...and maybe on the far side of the garage...with bougainvilla or some flowering vine set on a trellis just a bit off from the house walls so they don't actually grow on the walls! The reason we are thinking black pots is...when you drive to our house, you first see the south side of it...with a row of windows with black awnings over each window. So we feel the big black pots will tie the side and the front together.

lukkiriish-thank you, I just love those california spanish homes! Thanks for comparing my home to one of those!

Ok, again, I really appreciate every single comment. It has been so much work and money and as much as my hubby and I enjoy it, it is nice to see it be well received here!
IdaClaire
12 years ago
Wow, what a difference! The house was by no means "bad" in its earlier rendition, but the transformation has turned a nice house into something spectacular. Well done!
dirtymartini
Original Author
12 years ago
Rafor-porte cocheres are awesome! So elegant. Dont think it would match this house....i would be afraid it would scream "add on!"hope you get yours someday!
Amysrq-hello! yes, love those clouds, and I just LOVE a good thunderstorm!

if you need the driveway paved, then this process costs about the same as brick pavers. However, if your driveway is in good condition, he can heat it and stamp it. Then it is much cheaper. It is better than brick because it doesnt have to be resanded, weeds don't grow thru, bricks don't get out of place, plus...someone's car leaked oil in a big spot when we had a party and I expected my hubby to pitch a fit. He just looked ar me calmly, took a hose and a coarse broom and washed it and scrubbed a little with the broom and the stain was gone! So it is very durable and easy to keep.

I am going to continue posting tomorrow,probably in the afternoon. I am getting so sleepy but I want to respond to a few others. I'll be back tomorrow!:)
dirtymartini
Original Author
12 years ago
Weird how that one post keeps coming back! Sorry!
dirtymartini
Original Author
12 years ago
Oh, I forgot to add something. That white rectangle in front of the entranceway....we stamped (I always chuckle when I type "we" cause it is all my hubby!) a border around it, same as the driveway edges. We are going to imprint an image of a horse, like, some sort of graphic image, like a sketch outline, if you know what I mean. Then he will probably paint the rectangle same color as driveway (named chestnut brown...looks more terracotta to me but it is named chestnut brown) and paint the horse black (like he did w/varying bricks on the driveway) and then lightly "back roll" the chestnut brown over. Again, like he did over the black bricks in the driveway. If we don't do a horse, we may do a big "C" for our last name, or maybe even put our first initials smaller on either side of the C, like a monogram. It can be fixed pretty easily should we decide to sell, which I hope is NO TIME SOON!

Anyhoo...just wanted to point that out!
awm03
12 years ago
Late to the party here (we were on vacation). I just wanted to say how amazing your new driveway is. Your husband's design & workmanship is fabulous! Most circular driveways don't add much to the looks of a house, but yours transforms your home into something elegant.

I just love all the changes you've made. I think you should stop asking us for advice and start giving it instead :) Your tastes are right on the money!
paltmaie
last year
Is the process your husband used StreetPrint/StreetBond? I am reading good things about it and your own experience is very