curb appeal cottage - here's my progress so far

14 years ago

thanks for all the great ideas on making my little white cottage much cuter. so, it's just been 2 days - but i like to do everything in a hurry (character flaw maybe)... here's where I am so far. And to be perfectly honest - the entire house is not painted yet - just a couple sides....and I haven't done the little entry porch ceiling in sky blue yet - or the little gable above the entry (in olive), and I have house numbers on order - white on black in an oval shape that will go in the little gable. Since I'm renting this out for a year - I need it done enough in front to get some pictures done asap. I can finish the other sides over the next few weeks.

as of this afternoon (the black plastic under the windows was to catch drips of black paint from the sashes):

the front door with new lock set - planning to add a matching knocker - just wasn't handy when I was there this afternoon to install:

and the before pic - in case you didn't read the prior post:

I'm excited - love how it looks so far. I have so much landscaping to do still - mostly this fall - it'll die if I plant now and then get renters in here. I love the trellis idea flanking to the lonely window on the left side. I have so much ivy around it'll gladly run up my trelles.

thanks again! i'll post again when i've got more to show off :-)

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Comments (45)

Boopadaboo
14 years ago
WOW. Gorgeous!
TxMarti
14 years ago
I love the green! What a difference the paint made.
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Perhaps a nice trellis/arbor at the front door so that you can soften the transition from the siding to the brick with a nice flowering vine....wisteria, clematis, rose, jessamine, etc. The brick is a strong color and your eye probably complaining as there is nothing strong on the other side to balance it out. You'd be surprised what a nice stand of color would do on the other side (camilla, one of the cannas with patterned leaves and bright blossoms, etc, etc....tons of choices). Since you have photoshop play around with a few ideas about the color balance and/or softening of the transition point at the door and you may be very happy with the results. A large cobalt colored pot or fountain could also substitute for the color balance on the other side of the house. When my sis moved into her house there was a huge overgrown evergreen bush blocking most of her drive and creating a visual hazard for driving. She started pruning away at the lower branches, prepping the area so her hubby could chainsaw the whole thing down. Funny thing is when he came out to do his part he was stunned by the architecture of the remaining plant and after viewing it from all angles they made a few more cuts and left the bush/tree in place. Moral is, work with it a bit as it as what look like eyesores/obstacles now may become dramatic with a bit of planning. My opinion...the lilac is a no-statement as a lollipop bush but may be quite handsome as a tree. I'm giving my lilac a look after seeing the beautiful lilac tree grown by Lorna.
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There is one robust Marsh Marigold, Caltha palustris, growing in a sunny, stream side wet spot here. It has remained that one happy plant for a decade. In this garden that is considered a failure to take. What has done very well to the point of removing seedlings when not wanted is the Celendine Poppy, Stylophorum diphyllum.. Another spring ephemeral wild flower showing promise is Jacob's Ladder, Polmonium reptans. And I am totally in favor of mixing all this in with the bulbs. Nandina I have bumped into some very fragrant winter blooming shrubs up here. I will have to look into the winter sweets. Plenty room to set things loose.
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threedgrad
14 years ago
The green was the right choice. Very well done!!
lottamoxie
14 years ago
That looks so inviting! Great job.
oceanna
14 years ago
That's a huge change in the plus-charm department. Nice choice! Keep us posted.
nhb22
14 years ago
Cute as a button! Love the green and black together.
Jbrig
14 years ago
That green was the perfect choice--it looks fantastic! Keep up the good work :-)
justgotabme
14 years ago
Oh my gosh LTR, there is just no comparison. It looks like a different house! It's gorgeous.
momto4boys
14 years ago
adorable!!! love the new color.
writersblock (9b/10a)
14 years ago
It's absolutely darling! What a charming cottage.
squirrelheaven
14 years ago
What an adorable home! What you're doing is just beautiful.
squirrelheaven
14 years ago
Please share your paint colors : )
loribee
14 years ago
Beautiful...good for you!
kpaquette
14 years ago
It looks adorable! A much better olive than what mine was. I totally agree re: the trellises - they would add a lot to your lonely window. a cute doormat and a container of flowers under your mailbox would be great, too!
My3dogs ME zone 5A
14 years ago
It is STUNNING! I can't wait to see pics of the inside - before and after! GREAT job!
User
14 years ago
What a fantastic transformation. It would make a wonderful ad for a paint company...before and after. You might ask the place where you bought the paint if they would like to use it for an advert. It sure would get me to buy paint . You have done a wonderful job. c
bungalow_house
14 years ago
Very nice, and holy smokes you work fast.

I didn't get to post on your other thread after you added pictures of your current house, but I wanted to say it looked awesome as well. I don't think you need anyone's help with renovating!

If I had a trust fund, I would restore old houses as a career too. But I also waste my days working as a software developer. :p

Good luck with the D.
bungalow_house
14 years ago
Oh, what are you going to do about the railings? I'm always torn about them...on one hand they're not original and these old houses look better without them, but on the other hand, it's not fun walking down slippery stairs without one. If you keep handrails, wood would be a nice improvement there.
mclarke
14 years ago
FABULOUS! What a transformation!

Remind us what color that is?
laurenk88_pa
14 years ago
That looks wonderful! So charmign
huggybear_2008
14 years ago
I really like your choice of paint.. it looks great.. I am trying to get some before and after photos of the house across the street from me they did just about the same thing only they painted their door a maroon type color and added flower boxes of the same color and wow it sure makes a difference I will try to get the photos on here sometime tonight.. good job..
Huggy
DLM2000-GW
14 years ago
Holy cow - I think you even have renofan beat in the 'move fast' department!!! Do you leave a smoke trail behind you as you work? ;-)

Looks fabulous - I'd rent that in a heartbeat!
jejvtr
14 years ago
love2

Nice choices, lightening speed - now that lil cottage says come in - before it said "keep goin"

she'll rent in no time! -

trim the front gardens - add some nice hardy geraniums in a black planter - and increase the asking price!

good luck
hoosiergirl
14 years ago
What a gorgeous home! The color is *perfect*! Nice job!
awm03
14 years ago
The black trimmed windows look terrific. You have a great eye for design.
awm03
14 years ago
Have you ever thought of doing renovation consulting? I'd pay for your advice :)
ladyamity
14 years ago
Oh Myyyyy Gosh.....How charming is that!

I had to open a second window and put the before and after side by side.
Scrolling up and down I just couldn't grasp it was the same house!

Beautiful work, beautiful little cottage type home. I'd move in there with no qualms! :)
IdaClaire
14 years ago
It's positively precious! I love it!
leahcate
14 years ago
Shocking how much impact the new paint makes! Really, not remotely the same house! Love that soft greenish shade!
mclarke
14 years ago
The little triangle in the gabled pediment -- can that be green too?
powermuffin
14 years ago
Looks great! The paint choices are wonderful.
Diane
patricianat
14 years ago
Lovely house. It looks so much like our first house that it almost makes me sad. It looked like a doll house. We bought it white, painted it soft yellow with a black door and decided later to do it in a peach/tan color with an olive door for resale. It was lovely in all colors. I like the addition of the brass kick plate. You must have added before painting because I know that paint is not dry enough yet to put it on. But then you have done this so much before, you knew to put it on before painting. ;-)
lovetorenovate
Original Author
14 years ago
the paint colors are SW coastal plain (the lighter green) and SW Cocoon (the olive). The black is called Black Truffles - I can't remember - probably SW too - it's paint I had from my last house. All of them are mixed in Behr Ultra Exterior. I love that stuff - it's got a primer already built in - so you can paint it over virtually anything. I don't mind the black railings - I think I'll keep them. If it were more craftsman style - I'd probably switch to woood - but on this cottage - I don't mind.

I painted a bit more today (the side that wasn't already painted) - but I'm tired - so I'm calling it quits early. I should be done by the end of the week.

Actually, I did start a renovation consulting business... but alas, with my divorce, I had to go back to software too :p I'll be back someday to doing my passion full time. I think there's a real need for someone who can marry an architect's vision for asthetics with a builder's ability to do things affordably... I got my General Contracting license a few years ago... so that helps too. My company is sort of "renovation for the non-trust crowd".

But, I love to get everyone's opinions on stuff - and I love new ideas too. So I hope you all don't mind if I keep posting - and doing more before and afters. I think my real life friends must get tired of this a bit. :-)
awm03
14 years ago
"I think there's a real need for someone who can marry an architect's vision for asthetics with a builder's ability to do things affordably"

Absolutely. Wish I could have consulted you for my remodel last fall. I was afraid using an architect would eat into our meager budget, so I planned it myself. It's a B to B+ remodel, but I was always only satisfied with A's! Still a big improvement, so I'm not really complaining. Our contractor does nice basic work, but nothing refined.
patricianat
14 years ago
"I think there's a real need for someone who can marry an architect's vision for asthetics with a builder's ability to do things affordably"

It's called an interior designer with a degree, not the ones who claim to be interior designers who are decorators with a continuing education or trade school, or OJT on where to place a vase.
lovetorenovate
Original Author
14 years ago
Patricia43... "I think there's a real need for someone who can marry an architect's vision for asthetics with a builder's ability to do things affordably"
It's called an interior designer with a degree, not the ones who claim to be interior designers who are decorators with a continuing education or trade school, or OJT on where to place a vase.

do you really think so? in my experience an interior designer doesn't know much about construction or building economically? i think the other piece missing is incorporating green building - to the extent that you can save money beyond your initial cost outlay especially - and someone who can answer the question as to whether it makes more economic sense to move or add on.
happyintexas
14 years ago
Wow! I love what a paint job and hard work can do!

Love the color choices!
juddgirl2
14 years ago
Oh, what a beautiful transformation! I really love the soft green against the black windows. Congratulations!
huggybear_2008
14 years ago
here are the pics of the little cottage across the street from me that they redid..
{{!gwi}}
AFTER SHOT
2ajsmama
14 years ago
I love the curved iron railing! Don't change it! Have you thought about coir-lined iron window boxes?

Love the Coastal Plain color too (don't see olive?).
newdawn1895
14 years ago
You did a wonderful job, it's precious...sweet...sweet.

....Jane
2ajsmama
14 years ago
Maybe little iron picket fences in front of the flowerbeds (but then not do windowboxes)? It really is a little dollhouse - any pics of the inside?
kpaquette
14 years ago
Or iron trellises on either side of the window (instead of picket fences or windowboxes.) ;-)
kitchenkelly
14 years ago
Wow! You are faster than a photoshopper. Show us your cape. (I am curious what color it is.)
patricianat
14 years ago
Patricia43... "I think there's a real need for someone who can marry an architect's vision for asthetics with a builder's ability to do things affordably"
It's called an interior designer with a degree, not the ones who claim to be interior designers who are decorators with a continuing education or trade school, or OJT on where to place a vase.

do you really think so? in my experience an interior designer doesn't know much about construction or building economically? i think the other piece missing is incorporating green building - to the extent that you can save money beyond your initial cost outlay especially - and someone who can answer the question as to whether it makes more economic sense to move or add on.

Have you ever actually met an interior designer or just someone who told you they were an interior designer? They are required to have many hours in the building construction sciences and budgeting. I don't know where these interior designers you met with 5-year college degrees were that knew nothing, but that is what their business is.

I think like most people, you are thinking about an interior decorator, total different kettle of fish.

curb appeal cottage - here's my progress so far

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