progress....painting out the detail on porch

13 years ago

Would I do it again? Probably, as I think it really accents the porch the way it was meant to be. But painting it all one color as the PO did would have been a lot easier!

This picture was taken in April of 2008.

This was quite a leap for me color wise. At first it seemed so bright, as the previous color scheme (above) was a pinkish tan, green and chocolate brown. We are still using the green color, but it is now the siding color on the additions to the house as well as the garage.

I am making progress, but it is slow. I painted the bay window area earlier and now am working on the front porch. Have completed 2 coats of the yellow on the porch and have almost completed 1 coat of the rust. Need to do another coat of rust and then touch up. Also need to paint the floor, screen door and storm/screen windows. We have also taken out the windows on the bay and are reglazing them and also painting them. Doubt I will get that all done this fall though as I am running out of time.

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Comments (21)

igloochic
13 years ago
Ummmm who cares how much hard work you did...I just want to focus on how DEVINE!!!!!!!! your house is!!!!!

Oh wait, probably because of all the hard work you did...but sheesh...I'm drooling. You're perfectly accented her gorgeous body with wonderful jewels. Nice work...MORE MORE MORE....UMM can we see more? heh heh
Lyban zone 4
13 years ago
mary lu,

You have done a wonderful job. I am sure it was many of hours of work but it sure looks terrific.
You should be very proud.
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User
13 years ago
Oh ML...there are NO words to express the beauty . What a testament to the love of an old house. You are really a joy to behold. c
vampiressrn
13 years ago
Igloo...put that whip away!!! ;-)

That turned out just fabulous...it really makes your bricks look awesome. Great choice of colors and bet your place is the talk of the neighborhood!!!
susanwrites
13 years ago
Oh you did such a marvelous job! It is gorgeous! What's next? hahaha
mary_lu_gw
Original Author
13 years ago
Igloo, I know you really do care... :-) thanks for the validation that we didn't screw up on the colors or color placement. More WHAT?????

Caroline, we never tire of old houses, do we? They do demand a lot of work, but the knowing we are helping her to still be here in another 100 years is nice to know. She deserves to age gracefully and to look her best!

Vamp, gosh thanks for the heads up! I missed Igloo's whip! Or should I say she missed me? :-) You are the second person to tell me that about the brick. Just this afternoon a person walking by while I was painting stopped to chat. She also mentioned how she thought the new colors really accented the brick.

Susanwrites, gosh...I don't even want to go there!! The list is long!

I am still debating a few color placements. The X between the spindles is one place. Maybe rust there and paint the rosette thingy yellow? Seems like the lower portion of the spindle area is so bare/yellow looking with only a few areas of rust compared to the upper part.
igloochic
13 years ago
If the whip gets me more pics vamp....I'm ready to crack it. Mary Lu, your house, as it looks now is the kind of house that makes me want to figure out how to get invited in. A person just has to see more. I don't want much....just the layout and pics of all rooms lol. I want to see how the charming people in that charming house live lol.

You have done her so right outside it just makes a person think you have done her right on the inside. Your respect for her shows.

I'm gushing, but I'm an old house snob and I just love one that is done well. In a word your home screams charming.

Now to that X. Gad that's cool and I didn't even notice it until you mentioned it....so it probably does need contrast. Have you considered something like doing the base and top of the spindles in the brick tone with yellow bodies, and then leave the x as is? My spindles are all painted out and I must admit that the look is cool. (Ididnt do it).
eandhl
13 years ago
Your hard work paid off, beautiful job. I love to see any old home be treasured and I am with Igloo, would love to see more pictures.
mary_lu_gw
Original Author
13 years ago
Igloo, oh...that's ALL you want to see? LOL Will have to see what I can do about that, but sorry not today. Lots of painting yet to do. It was 83 here yesterday and is supposed to be as warm or warmer today. My painting days are numbered before winter sets in.

Yes we do love "her" and it really tickles me when others can see her personality too! From the first day we moved in she has always felt warm and welcoming!

DH does want to try to paint some of the detail on the spindles, but I tried that yesterday and ughhh, didn't really do such a good job of it. If I did paint some of the spindle, which parts? See pic below.

I'm actually considering another idea for painting in that area below the X. Almost all the posts as well as the X are chamfered. What if I painted just the chamfered area the rust? You can see the chamfering across the bottom of the cross board. It is also chamfered on the top edge as well. I think you can see it on the X too in this picture.

Would that look too busy?
igloochic
13 years ago
Sweetheart it's a Victorian...it's supposed to be busy lol.

My spindles have three colors on them and the look is great. The one we stripped had four.

I'd do the square areas on the regular ones in rust and leave the x alone for a start myself. Then post it and we can tell you to do something entirely different lol
mary_lu_gw
Original Author
13 years ago
well, not really a Victorian. Originally we think she was just a plain jane brick school house. But with the additions of porches, bay window, etc. during the 1880's... she took on a Victorian wanna be look. So guess we go with that.

I am so tired of painting trim, that I decided that as the bedroom porch is almost done I am going to paint the floor there. So I am scraping the floor and will paint that yet today. Then at least I can say that porch is done! (Well almost. I need to paint some darn little rings on the posts yet)
dianalo
13 years ago
This has really progressed since your last pics! I think you are staying true to her history and are maximizing her looks.

She deserves to be fussed over and when it is done you will be so thrilled you took the extra care.
krycek1984
13 years ago
I understand your pain...we are painting the porch railings, and columns on the front of our porch and it's no where near as detailed as yours, but it still is a pain in the arse and I dread doing it. You did a great job...what you did was basically akin to doing a painting, really.
jab65
13 years ago
Ooh! I thought old school house. Perfect job to make it outstanding. Are you in Indiana or Michigan by chance?
User
13 years ago
I love it ... a very short "Painted Lady".
cooperbailey
13 years ago
How the heck did I miss this one? It is wonderful and yes please for pictures of the inside! It is so cozy on the outside it must be in the inside.
susan209
13 years ago
You certainly have an eye for color, as you can tell, everyone is loving what you are doing. Keep up the good work and we are all your cheerleaders. When you find time we would love an indoor tour.
Boopadaboo
13 years ago
Gorgeous mary_lu. Just gorgeous. I do love pics of the inside too. I don't think we have seen any in awhile. :)

You must be so happy your hard work is paying off big time. I can't believe what a huge difference it makes. The colors you chose are PERFECT!
jejvtr
13 years ago
Mary Lu

My heart goes pitter patter when I see someone giving love back to old homes.

You took the old girl from quite tired looking to a "looker" - Nice choices, makes the love show
graywings123
13 years ago
Lovely!
mary_lu_gw
Original Author
13 years ago
Oh my....I didn't check back in again yesterday as we were out painting all day, practically sunrise to sunset. I couldn't believe the number of responses! Thanks everyone for the "thumbs up" on color choices and that we are on the right track.

We were joking last night that she (the house) knew what she was doing when she chose us! We think she is smiling! LOL Anyone who owns an old home knows that the work is never done and sometimes that does get one down.

We came in shortly before dark, showered, grabbed a sandwich and headed for bed! I have today off and will continue. Just a few touch ups on the front porch left and then I am calling it done for this year. Got the floors on bedroom porch and front porch painted. Then started on the dining room porch. Hoping to get that mostly done today as it is not nearly as ornate. Today will probably be the last painting day we have for this fall, as next weekend we have family commitments and doubt we will have warm enough weather after that.

Will post updated pictures tonight. If I can still move by then?

progress....painting out the detail on porch

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igloochic

Lyban zone 4

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progress....painting out the detail on porch

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