cyn and awm-- no pictures yet! The contractor was too tired to paint that day (he'd worked like 7 hours!), but I did just sample it on my own this a.m. and I do think I like it! I would just paint it myself because I am impatient but my 6 month old, 3, 5, and 8 y.o. have other ideas! (Well, really it's just the baby that would not be able to wait!) oopsie, shutter color is still up for grabs. I am willing to just take them down, but don't know if the holes and difference of color (fading from sun) on the siding will be too ugly. I'm thinking still gray, black, or maybe even white . . .that way they'll blend it but cover the holes/uneven color. Landscaping has a LONG way to go but I am going to be putting in some hydrangea bushes under the one window (Invincibelle so they'll be pink all season) and DH might be talked into doing a window box, too. Thanks so, so much for your continued help!!!! I will definitely post pics as soon as at least the door color is done.

Thanks, marthavila, I sometimes have to look at it through someone else's eyes to appreciate it. We bought our house 11 years ago and it was badly in need of renovation THEN. Well, time went by, we had 4 kids, dh went through 3 internet start-ups, and the renovations never got done. Lauraella, there were times when I begged dh to sell our house and move us into a 1980's tract house - anything that was functional , warm in the winter and cool in the summer (lack of AC has been one of our biggest issues; we are taking care of that with the renovation as well.) Now, we are finally doing the renovation, but living through it (we can't afford to rent) has proved to be the biggest challenge yet. The GC had to build us a temporary kitchen and a new bathroom in the basement because they tore off our kitchen and 1 1/2 baths during the gut. The only way to access the basement is to go out onto the framing and down a set of temporary stairs. For about a week, the only way down was to go out the front door, around the back of the house and down the outside cellar stairs. IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT. That is my mantra.

Ok, that explains the Swiss chalet look. From my perspective if you have a limited budget, keep the spindles and replace them when they need replacing. There is a balance between giving nod to one’s heritage and going ‘overboard’ on the theme look. It sounds like you don’t mind giving nod to the motel’s roots but want to keep it balanced with a more modern look which is entirely doable. I personally like the white stucco and then would punch it up with a door color that is bright and cheerful. The flowers are absolutely fabulous and one thing I thought of was to have this as a room option - meaning if I had a room overlooking flowers or with flowers fresh in my room everyday on vacation I might pay for the deluxe charge. What I hate in motels are (1) rooms that are unclean (2) smell stale (3) look dingy (4) noise (5) feel insecure - crime ridden. Now with that in mind, when you think Swiss/German what pops into your head “scrubby Dutch” - people who are fanatically clean. So that crisp white with your german rails are not a negative in my mind because if I had a Motel 6 versus a Swiss Chalet I’m headed to the Swiss Chalet.

Hi shwshw! The mural was printed by Limitless Walls. https://www.limitlesswalls.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlbvO1qb74gIVjuNkCh1PWgQ_EAAYASAAEgJ6A_D_BwE Be sure to search online for a coupon code. I think I was able to get 45% off!