Many of you emailed me to say you still aren’t getting my blog emails, so I wanted to give y’all a little update. The email problem is happening all over blog land and there’s nothing I can do to fix it. I did what I know to do and it still didn’t help everyone. I’m suggesting that folks sign up to read their fave blogs thru Bloglovin or Digg or another reader service. I’m not sure this email problem will ever be fixed, it’s the email providers that are not letting them come thru.
It’s been 2 years since we bought my house and started renovations and one of the things on my to-do list has been to get the house painted. I wasn’t sure how long it would take, but this spring seemed to be the right time to hire that job out and just get it done. I got 3 bids for painting companies and chose the one I thought would be best and they came out and got it all pressure washed, rotten wood replaced, caulked, primed and painted. I am ecstatic with my house now, as you can imagine! All of those months of waiting paid off. We got the inside done and now it was time to move to the outside.
Just as a reference point, I paid $2800 for my whole house exterior paint job. I used a local company, but I am hesitant to share, because someone used them after I put them on here and was not happy with the outcome. They did a good job for me, but there were a couple of things that I didn’t like that they did, mainly not priming my front railings and new wood on the front porch. I know prices are different all over the country. My neighbors have certainly noticed the changes too!
Just as a reminder, I’ll show you the house when we first bought it so we can really appreciate the after shots. It’s come a long way baby! Wow, at the difference, it’s amazing to look back 2 years ago. How quickly we forget how far we have come!
I’m so happy with the paint color I chose. It’s Sherwin Williams Dovetail, with Pure White Trim. I don’t have room for shutters on all my windows, so with 2 colors on the house, I went deep and rich with the white trim as an accent and couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
Grays sometimes photographs with a purple hue, but I can assure you this is a true gray, rich and deep. My house isn’t sitting in Nantucket or Cape Cod, but I think it has a little bit of a coastal feel now with the new porch and paint.
Here’s a reminder of what the garage side of the house looked like with the rotten little red door. I had that replaced with a bigger one and what a difference on this side as well.
The garage side looks so much better too with the garage doors painted gray as well. This end of the house really has come a long ways too. I’ll be tackling that retaining wall when the front yard landscaping is finished and at least get a good coat of stucco paint on it to make it look better. In fact, the folks working on my landscaping are going to add a drain to that wall to take the water pressure off of it. It’s already leaning and we are trying to save it in the long run, so it needs a way to have water drain out. Houses are always a work in progress, aren’t they?
The front of my house has changed so much overall and I am SO happy with the new front portico. I had that built right before Christmas, if you missed it and knew that getting the whole house painted in the spring would change everything and it certainly did.
They used a Sherwin Williams solid stain matched to Dovetail for the porch floor and steps. All the other trim and railings is Pure White, which is the same trim color I used inside my house. It doesn’t show up as vibrant, but I just painted the front door in a beautiful turquoise.
Side view of the porch. Next week the landscape process begins and I am jumping up and down over that too! The sides of the porch will be hidden once plants go in. We’re going to tackle the fireplace too and disguise it from the floating feel it has now.
This will all change soon as plants get installed.
Here’s a shot of the new turquoise door and it really is bright and pretty, it’s just hard to capture it with the morning light and shadows. I painted the porch ceiling the same as my screened porch ceiling, Rainwashed by Sherwin Williams. It’s a light blue and very subtle.
If you missed yesterday’s post about the front door color, it tells all about the paint color (colormatched to Annie Sloan Florence) and how I did it all.
New Welcome mat from Target in vibrant colors.
With the storm door propped open, you can see the new turquoise better.
I love how it turned out and I will go back and add a quick poly coat of satin just to give it a little protection and less of a chalky feel. Inside the storm door, it will be protected anyway. I love my leaded glass door and so happy that I have it. It adds just that cottage touch to my house and I really wanted to achieve and now with the front porch, I do have that cottage feel. You can see I have a little bit of hole patching to do where my old light fixture was.
Did you notice the new fixture? I knew you would!
A big THANKS to Ballard Designs for providing this fixture for me. It’s a beautiful addition to my front porch. With the seeded glass and bronze body, it really adds a nice touch to the porch. At first, I wasn’t going to change that light out, but the more I looked at the old one, it just needed to be a bit bigger and I knew a hanging pendant would be the icing on the cake. The fact that Ballard Designs provided the fixture was extra special. I had my electrician hang it for me.
So, that’s the tour of the new house exterior paint project. You can imagine how excited I am about all of this. A dream come true for sure to have this done 2 years later. And wouldn’t you know it, my AC unit just went out and it’s the original, 35 years and counting so time for a new one. I’m just thanking the Lord that I have the money to pay for a new one!
Life is good and I’m loving my cute house!
- Rhoda
It looks fabulous! What a great job you have done with your choices. I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed watching the transformation.
As for the issue with email subscriptions, I love to use Flipboard on my iPad.
Beautiful results! I can’t wait to see the addition of the plants…that’s an area where I have no expertise. I am hoping to get some great ideas for the front area of my house…the side and back yard look great but my front area is not finished in a nice way…
I just love the story of this house in your life! I love that you bought something that you could really and truly afford, and have now proceeded to make it beautiful! I love the paint color you chose, cannot wait to see the landscaping, and am thankful you’ve got the money to get a new air conditioner! Looking forward to seeing the ongoing progress!
Love, love love it Rhoda. I have enjoyed watching you transform your house over the last years!! And I will be looking forward to your landscaping ideas as well!!
Rhoda, when I think of you and all you have accomplished, my heart is filled with joy.♥
Just beautiful. I have loved experiencing your transformation!
On the email issue, I downloaded the bloglovin app after one of your readers suggested it. I’m in love. It’s so convenient and I’m even discovering many new decorating blogs that I didn’t know about. It’s like Pinterest for blogs. The email issue was a happy accident for me!
Rhoda, it has truly been a blessing to watch how the Lord has held your hand as you’ve walked through the journey of restoring your home. Thanks so much for sharing with us the step-by-step progress of it all. I look forward to each and every post! The house looks BEAUTIFUL and I just know the landscaping will, too! 🙂
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the transformation and love coming to this blog almost every morning for a bit of inspiration. You have such a humble and generous spirit, Rhoda-it really encourages and inspires me. The seeded glass on that fixture is just perfect!
Can’t believe *I’m* offering you advice-ha-but have you ever thought of building out the fireplace to touch the ground and then covering it in a faux stone? I don’t know how expensive it would be, but wow-would that ever take it to the next level! 🙂
Thank you for this blog-please keep doing exactly what you’re doing! You are blessing others!!
HI, Sofia, yes that fireplace has been the topic of discussion from day one. My landscape designer is helping me come up with a solution to disguise it without building it out with more wood, so we think we will do a trellis covered with vines to disguise the fact that it doesn’t go to the ground. When she is finished with my yard, it’s going to look fantastic!
Hi! A trellis will be wonderful–I can totally see a flowering vine like clematis or even a climbing rosebush! I wonder if you could even do an ever-green ivy so that you have year-round coverage? The exterior has already come so, so far–can’t wait to see the final touch landscaping will add. 🙂
So happy for you! It’s been a wonderful transformation to watch.
I love your house! The paint colors are perfect, from the house color to the door color to the porch ceiling color! You have done a fantastic job. I look forward to seeing what other projects you take on. Also, thank you for investigating the problem with the email subscription. Am going to try and figure out that bloglovin’ thing.
I come to your blog each morning -watching your house transform – it’s been wonderful. Enjoy and give your parents a hug from those of us on the net , you are blessed to be surrounded by such a lovely family. What does your Dad think of the house color?
Shanna, he thinks it looks wonderful! They came over right after it was painted just to see it in person. He’s so proud for me!
Love the new color. It looks fabulous and the porch made a huge difference.
Rhoda, it is fabulous! Great job on the colors, porch and lighting. I can’t wait to see your plant choices in your landscape.
Rho,
The house looks beautiful. Having seen it from the beginning to what it looks like now is amazing.
I cannot wait to see the transformation when you landscape and get all of your plants in the ground. Hugs to you my friend.
Yes, I noticed the new fixture and love it! The exterior paint color is wonderful. And I almost forgot that your home wasn’t in my home state of Maine.
Rhoda,
It looks simply amazing !!
So much happiness felt , amazement
at how far God has prospered you.
Looks great! Once you get lots of plant material around the entire house it will be perfect.
TAS
LOVE the exterior transformation!! Good work!
I absolutely love the gray! We went with gray with our house too. I also love the Ballard fixture. We went with Ballard’s Original Home Office cabinetry for home office as well. We are thinking of actually using it in our walk-in pantry too. Love me some Ballard! Great job, Rhoda!!
Oh Rhoda! You (or should I say the paint dudes?) have really outdone yourself with this project. Magnificent! Gorgeous! Perfect!
I’ve noticed a trend with shutters now. They can be used on all of your windows or just a few. Like on the upper windows on your house. Looks nice!
Hi Rhoda – I’ve been following you since your first house and I have to admit – I love this one SO MUCH MORE! I feel this one is truly YOU 🙂 Can you share what color you have on that front door? I am looking for a fun color for my patio door. Also, do you prefer having a solid glass storm door vs one that has the 1/2 option w/ a screen? I can’t decide!
Hi, Erica, I shared all about the front door yesterday, here’s the post:
http://southernhospitalityblog.com/pop-of-color-on-the-front-door/
Thank you for following all these years! I have to say, this house is really ME too. I do love the cottage feel.
Rhoda – the paint color is beautiful and your house looks so nice. I’m sorry your air conditioner went out…go glad we are having some nice days until you get it replaced and the summer heat sets in. Have a great day!
Wow Factor! Looks beautiful, as I knew it would!! Did you paint the porch ceiling the blue color because it’s a “Southern” thing to do to a front porch? Or is there a practical reason? I heard that you do that to keep spiders away? Has anyone had any luck with that? Either way, it is stunning-can’t wait for the landscaping!
HI, Shari, it is a Southern thing and I’ve heard that it does repel spiders/bugs. I really just did it cause I love the light blue and did it on my back porch too.
What a fantastic transformation!! I love everything you’ve done!!
RHODA! I am so happy for you!! The grey looks absolutely wonderful on your house–great choice! The turquoise door is stunning. And you’re right–that lantern is the icing on the cake!
Can’t wait to see how things look with the “floating” fireplace disguised and new plants. Girl, I think you’re destined for magazine pages!!
Happy and excited for you! Now cant wait to see the landscaping!!
The house looks great! Congrats on having it finished. We picked the exact same color combo on our last home and all our neighbors loved it. 🙂
Gorgeous!!! Love the deeper, rich color. And the front door color, hanging light fixture, and door mat makes it all POP. 🙂 Great job Rhoda.
LOVE the transformation…..what a fabulous job you have done with this home. I’ve followed it every step of the way. I can only imagine the wonderful sense of satisfaction! Just one small thought, have you considered painting that drain pipe on the front right side of the house that comes down from the gutters. gray from the window to the ground? Then it would just blend in, like the ones on the side of the house rather than be highlighted on the front? But really, the house looks GREAT! Love your portico! It says, “Come on in!”
It has been so great to watch your journey with this house and to see all that God has provided. I love the paint job and the new front porch/portico. I have a suggestion though – or a question. Do you “need” a storm door or is it just for looks, etc.? If you don’t really need it, your beautiful turquoise door would show to a much better advantage without it. It’s just a personal choice of course, but I really hate seeing a storm door over a pretty door! Also wondering if you are going to close in beneath the porch before the plantings, just in case a critter decides to make a home there! This is from experience, my hubby had to close in my MIL’s because of SKUNKS getting under there!!!
Can’t wait to see the landscaping – that will make a HUGE difference. After several years of trying to do our own and not getting it how we wanted it, we bit the bullet 2 years ago and had ours done professionally. Money well spent!
tina
Thank you, Tina. I love my storm door because it does protect from the elements and even though I now have a porch, I like it for security. I can open my main door and have my storm door locked. I don’t think it really takes away that much from the looks of the house and that’s why I chose a solid glass with all white, It blends in with the trim. Not planning to close in the bottom of the porch either. When the landscape plants go in it will cover up the sides.
Rhoda… I too am excited about your transformation! I check on you everyday also. Pour myself a cup of coffee and go to your webpage! Thought about your fireplace too. A trellis is going to be just right! My husband and I are about ready to sell our big house and I want to do something like you.. last fall I copied your sister’s bedroom for our master bedroom. Imn ot sure how to send you pictures but it looks good! I sew and cover furniture do I was able to save a lot. Thank you… and again if your mom and dad want another daughter….I’m here!!!! Sue
Hi, did I miss the name of the porch ceiling paint color. It’s so perfect. Jo @ Let’s Face the Music
It just looks beautiful! Love all your colors!
Nice and classic, with a hint of modern on the turquoise door! I tried a similar color on my door, but it looked awful with my siding. Now the door has about eight layers of paint! (Rolling eyes!) I may try a yellow, with a hint of orange in it, but not yet.
Will you be incorporating lighting in your landscape plans? I can’t wait to see it all finished! How does the rear look with the porch and small deck?
Hi Rhoda! All I can say is “Wow!!!” I love all your choices, especially your sky blue porch ceiling! When we were recently in Charleston all their porch ceilings were blue and I loved it! Is your landscape designer Carmen Johnston perhaps? She’s my idol!! Lol Great job thanks for sharing!! Xo,Kathy @The Daily Nest
Yes, Kathy, Carmen is coming in to rescue my yard!
Looks so awesome!! I am getting ready for the second phase of my front porch make-over so this is great inspiration – blue ceiling!! Can’t wait to see your landscaping choices. That will MAKE your house I think!
It looks so great!! I hope you inspire your next door neighbors to paint theirs next. With yours all done up theirs is looking pretty sad in the one picture where we can see theirs.
BTW have you considered adding corbels under the tall section that juts out? I think it would look really cute and go well with your new entry. Love the new light there btw.
Some are Wrong house and corbel style, but just to illustrate what I was talking about there are some pictures here with a similar room jutting out with corbels under. Like Fc-18, FC-71,Fc-76 and FC-85.
http://www.fauxwoodbeams.com/corbels_design.php
Hi, Lena,hadn’t really thought about that but it is a good look. Maybe down the road I can do more with that.
Your house is looking fabulous! Such a difference with the portico alone and now with everything painted; so pretty. Love the new light fixture, too. We need a new one as every time our light goes out it’s a real pain to change the bulb. That one looks pretty easy. Great job as always!
I LOVE your house and front door I am getting siding on my house in the next week and I chose the color herringbone can you give me your opinion on what color I should paint my front door and window trim I would like something that stands out a little but don’t want something that blinds people either I would appreciate so much your opinion
Thanks
Brenda
Rhoda, you’ve truly transformed that house from the inside out. Well, you and your Dad. 🙂
I love the exterior now and the porch is the crowning touch. Love the colors you’ve chosen for the siding and the door. The design of the porch is perfect too. Bring on the landscaping.
Rhoda, love, love, love the new look of your home!! The grey/white color scheme is so crisp and fresh looking. I agree with the commenter above that white trim and corbels along the bottom of the jut out on the front of the house would add even more of a cottage feel and white shutters on the windows above would be the icing on the cake! As you know, it’s all in the details to create the look and feel that you want and I think these fairly inexpensive additions would really enhance that cottage look you’re going for. You might even want to consider adding a corbel supported trellis (for esthetic purposes only, not for plants) across the top of the garage doors to tie in with the front and add even more detail. Whatever you decide to do, it looks great and can’t wait to see the finished product with the landscaping!
Oops, just noticed you have another jut out over the garage doors so a trellis might not be possible.Bet something could be worked out to add interest to that end of the house though. Just have to get innovative!
LOVE LOVE Dovetail!! Just painted my daughters room in this color. Used a beautiful yellow for some small furniture pieces and a spray painted lamp. Crisp white for trim.
Onto the main living areas of the house with a lighter shade of SW. Your blog is my go to for any questions I may have on a new project. I too have a 70s house….ugh then…….LOVE now!!!
Thanks!!
Rhoda, it all looks fabulous! Your dad may be proud of you but so am I! I think you should have your own show on HGTV. There would be thousands of us who wouldn’t miss an episode!
I don’t think the turquoise goes with theody color of the house, JMO, but otherwise, the house looks fantastic with all the improvements you’ve made. Can’t wait for the landscaping to complete the look!! Well done!
Rhoda, I love the paint colors, the turquoise door with the gray is gorgeous. Isn’t it amazing how paint can transform a home from okay to WOW!!
Rhoda, your home is looking so lovely! A friend of mine just moved to Atlanta from here in the Chicago suburbs and we were so shocked at how much home you can get for your money there. Prices are ridiculous here! I am loving the front door color too! Can’t wait to see more.
xoxo Michelle
Watching your journey with this house and seeing all the love you and your parents have put into is wonderful. I can’t believe it’s been 2 years already! The new color does look perfect. And yes, they are always a work in progress. Something always needs attention or maintenance. Great price on the painting! We paid more than that for the little cottage. Our home needs a fresh paint job this Summer but I know it’s going to be about $6000 for the work so it might be waiting until next Summer 😉 I hope the new AC unit isn’t too, too much!!
Oh Rhoda, it looks fabulous! I love the bright turquoise door. I’m a painter, and I believe there’s nothing like fresh paint to instantly upgrade a place! Gray wasn’t my favorite color, but I really like this gray and I think it is rich and very attractive! The place is looking wonderful! Blessings, Linda
Rhoda, LOVE the new house color and the pop of the turquoise is fabulous…You got a great price on the paint job too…I’m jealous at how less expensive work is in the South.
I can’t wait to see the new landscaping, your home has come a long way in such a short time and the landscaping will be the icing on the cake!
I just love your blog! I look forward to every nudging email informing me of new status. I always get such wonderful ideas…but mostly I get inspired to see what you’ve accomplished on your own – with help from your AWESOME Dad! Happy Mother’s Day to you, your sister, and your Mom….
Squeal!!! Oh my goodness Rhoda love love love the new exterior paint job and the porch too!!! So beautiful!!! So classy but I wouldn’t expect anything less from my sweet friend Rhoda! You know how to make a place look absolutely stunning!!!
I have really enjoyed watching the transformation of your house. It is inspiring to watch how you took a house that needed so much and made it over into something just beautiful. Whenever I need inspiration for my own house, I can always find it here. I wish I had your touch.
it looks amazing, Rhoda!! Love the gray against the white trim. The new porch adds so much ! Can’t wait to see how the landscaping changes things! 🙂
Hi Rhoda….so glad to find that I wasn’t the only one who suddenly realized I hadn’t heard from you in so long…..will check about downloading bloglovin – may be other blogs that I’m missing also. Love your new exterior colors and you’re entire home is just lovely. We downsized two years ago and are still working on projects every day – much smaller house, much larger yard (what were we thinking)! After this past horrid winter, I’m replacing numerous shrubbery that didn’t live through our frigid temps and full-winter snow which is not the norm.
Looks amazing, we are painting our house dovetail too. What color is your blue ceiling pain?
I love that
HI, EMily, my ceiling is Rainwashed by Sherwin Williams.