Shutter Cutouts: A Window to One's Soul?
To settle on the perfect shape for this simple detail, follow your heart — or diamond, or maple leaf
Last winter my shutters started to peel and rot at an alarming rate. By early summer, my home's exterior was looking a lot like Grey Gardens. Though I earmarked money for new ones back in the spring, I'm paralyzed with commitmentphobia.
You see, I've always wanted shutters with cute little cutouts. Up in Maine you see pine tree cutouts, on Cape Cod you see starfish and scallop shells, and in my Atlanta neighborhood you tend to see a lot of card suits, mostly diamonds with the occasional heart or club thrown in. I've decided I don't want a shape that shows off too much of the siding behind it, because who knows what condition that's in or if the color will match after being covered up by a solid shutter for so long. (There certainly is NOT money earmarked for repainting the house.)
The choice has been more difficult than I imagined. Pine trees: so cute, but we don't really have them in my neighborhood. We have oak, maple and beech trees. Unfortunately, the neighbors across the street already have cute oak cutouts on their porch railings, and I don't want to be a copycat. Acorns are darling, but their fat bodies show off too much siding, as do maple leaves.
One company has adorable squirrel cutouts, but I'm afraid they would give me the "Crazy Squirrel Lady" nickname. Hearts would be the dating equivalent of having a bed covered in stuffed animals and 17 cats (I'm single).
Crescent moons: I like them, but they aren't quite what I'm going for. Starfish: Love 'em, but I live in Atlanta; it's kind of silly when you're landlocked. Fleur-de-lis: I'm not from New Orleans, and I wasn't a Kappa Kappa Gamma. Four-leaf clover: I'm only 1/16th Irish.
See how difficult this is? What's a girl to do? I suppose browse Houzz and look for inspiration ...
You see, I've always wanted shutters with cute little cutouts. Up in Maine you see pine tree cutouts, on Cape Cod you see starfish and scallop shells, and in my Atlanta neighborhood you tend to see a lot of card suits, mostly diamonds with the occasional heart or club thrown in. I've decided I don't want a shape that shows off too much of the siding behind it, because who knows what condition that's in or if the color will match after being covered up by a solid shutter for so long. (There certainly is NOT money earmarked for repainting the house.)
The choice has been more difficult than I imagined. Pine trees: so cute, but we don't really have them in my neighborhood. We have oak, maple and beech trees. Unfortunately, the neighbors across the street already have cute oak cutouts on their porch railings, and I don't want to be a copycat. Acorns are darling, but their fat bodies show off too much siding, as do maple leaves.
One company has adorable squirrel cutouts, but I'm afraid they would give me the "Crazy Squirrel Lady" nickname. Hearts would be the dating equivalent of having a bed covered in stuffed animals and 17 cats (I'm single).
Crescent moons: I like them, but they aren't quite what I'm going for. Starfish: Love 'em, but I live in Atlanta; it's kind of silly when you're landlocked. Fleur-de-lis: I'm not from New Orleans, and I wasn't a Kappa Kappa Gamma. Four-leaf clover: I'm only 1/16th Irish.
See how difficult this is? What's a girl to do? I suppose browse Houzz and look for inspiration ...
I am looking not only at shutters, but also at doors, railings, cabinets and anywhere else a cutout catches my eye. This tiny fish family is one of the most charming details I've seen in a while. Check out the extra-clever wavy top of the wood.
A school of fish makes its way across the lavender shutters on this Key West house. The cutouts are the icing on this funky cake.
Quatrefoil shapes have different meanings in different cultures, including good luck, harmony, the four ends of the Earth, the Christian cross and more. These board and batten shutters were hand-crafted in Tennessee by Advantage Shutters.
The arrow-shaped cutouts on this balcony railing give the traditional Arts and Crafts style a twist, and aggressively draw the eye up. They also go with the architecture, mimicking the shape of the dormer's roof. A unique detail like this stamps a house with personality.
What I love about this porch's fabulous railing is that from a distance it's rather abstract ...
... while close up one sees simple silhouettes of cats.
I certainly did not mean to disrespect hearts in my introduction; they are so lovely and inviting on this garden gate. Browse more garden gates
I think it was a visit to Branford, Connecticut, that sparked my love of shutters like these. The houses had so many hanging plants and window boxes, funky colors and unique cutouts. I'm pretty sure these are trees, but I like to think that they're broccoli, just because that would be bizarre.
On another coastal Connecticut home, sailboats add a seaside touch. Most shutter companies have this cutout in their selection. There are so many to choose from; Exterior Shutter even has a flamingo, which is very tempting. By the way, most shutter companies will create any custom cutout you like, which frankly makes my choice even tougher!
These are combination cutout and louvered shutters. This designer has picked a shutter color that's very close to the color of the shingles, giving the cutouts a subtle, sophisticated look.
Well, I feel so much better after making an ideabook that I've ordered catalogs from a few companies and am leaning toward a tulip cutout. (It's here; tell me what you think. Yes, I know, I don't live in Holland or Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts.)
Tell me: If you were searching for the perfect shutter cutout, which shape would you choose? Let me know in the Comments section below.
More:
11 Ways to Repurpose Shutters
Add To Your Home's Curb Appeal With Whimsical Balusters
Well, I feel so much better after making an ideabook that I've ordered catalogs from a few companies and am leaning toward a tulip cutout. (It's here; tell me what you think. Yes, I know, I don't live in Holland or Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts.)
Tell me: If you were searching for the perfect shutter cutout, which shape would you choose? Let me know in the Comments section below.
More:
11 Ways to Repurpose Shutters
Add To Your Home's Curb Appeal With Whimsical Balusters