Color me pretty

Who knew picking out paint was so hard?!  I am usually a very decisive person, but the paint never shows up quite like the chips so I've spent lots time driving back and forth to test new colors.  I think they (Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore employees) are starting to think I am color blind and I'm starting to feel like they are correct.


We are going with a cream exterior and we finally have a winner (Benjamin Moore's Timid White OC-39) thanks to my brave mother-in-law knocking on a door to inquire about the color.  My mom and Josh approved, so we are going with it!  The trim will be the same color.  It's a really rich cream without looking yellow, taupe or white.

This is the Timid White inspiration house -- I know my house won't suddenly look like this with a few coats of paint. :)

Now -- shutter color has not been unanimously agreed upon so I did a little quick amateur mocking up.

I'm leaning towards a medium gray as something a little bit different.  Plus, it will remind me of our beloved "Gray Lady" we are leaving behind.

Which would you choose?

XO,

Whit

Have we lost it?

Sorry for the delay on this...

I'm so excited, but we may have lost it.  Still not sure how I got Josh to see my vision!

First -- we know this is going to be a big project and undertaking and rest assured I won't be trying to make it a complete DIY adventure.  Afterall, there are codes and inspections to pass!  I'll let the pictures speak (mostly) for themselves.  

Second -- I will not let this completely dominate the blog, but I do plan to make this the way my mom & dad keep up, it's the easiest way -- so you've been warned.  :)

Third -- interior pictures to come soon, but let's take a tour around the outside first.  Just like I did when I was scoping it out.

From far away - it's not too shabby.  The landscaping needs some major love.  I am thankful for the giant magnolia tree in front right side of yard and am praying the oak in the front is not dead (it has black bark!).

One thing we fell in love with were the big windows and loads of natural light every where.  As you can see, the windows need a some major TLC, but the old glass will remain.  Then there's the front door -- labeled the "most interesting door in Raleigh" by our builder friends -- it is at least 4' wide (here it's covered by 2 smaller storm doors).  The two color paint job was an interesting choice.

A little cleaning up has already started as you can see below (back side of house).  Just the very tip of the iceberg.

There is a little garage structure in the backyard.  It's kind of in the middle of the yard, which is not ideal.

Here is the side view from driveway (L) and garage from the second floor (R).

And Josh's favorite feature -- a sizable screen porch off the living room (sorry for the bad iPhone photo, I don't have a better one of the outside).

First impression - have we lost it or are you seeing some potential from the outside?

I'll post some inside pics tomorrow -- that's where it gets really scary.  I mean it.


Hope to be moved in by late summer / early fall.

XO,

Whit

Oakwood Inspired DIY

Josh and I love living in Oakwood.  It is such a charming historic neighborhood full of homes in a variety of architectural styles.  Many owners have restored them to their original beauty and stature and it seems people are constantly working on their homes -- partly because old homes require a lot of maintenance and partly because a lot of people drawn to this neighborhood take such pride in keeping these historic gems looking their best. Huge trees line the sidewalks and it really is an ideal place for an afternoon stroll.  Don't get me wrong, we have our share of rundown & creepy houses too (with our lead paint chipping off more and more by the day our neighbors may think we are one of them!!!).

My three very favorite homes on our "loop" -- if these ever went on the market I would try to find a way to scrape my pennies together to snatch it up!!  You will see they are 3 very different, but equally appealing, styles.

1.

This home is currently split into 4 apts.  It would take a lot of $$$ to make it into one unit.  The owner (an attorney), who lives in one of the units, has owned it since the '70s.

 2.

An architect and an interior designer currently reside in this magnificent second empire style house.  The garden on the side is unbelievable.

 3.

The owners of this house co-founded Hyde Street Holdings, investor in real estate and real estate related entities.  They hand dug out an unbelievable wine cellar in the basement.  The grounds are always impecably manicured and there are cozy patios on either side of the home.

A few other homes on my walking tour:

4.

5.

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. (Gov. Aycock's house -- most recently a chef lived here, so the house is complete with a commercial kitchen! -- on the market currently for $1MM) 

13. 

14. 

This is making me want to paint our house green (very similar style to ours).  Thoughts?

15. 

My mother-in-law, Jean, lived here for a few years growing up.

16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 

20. 

One of the few brick homes in the neighborhood.

21.

22.

23. 

I'm not sure how these homes got their paint colors approved by the commission...

24.

25. 

26.

A few other unique characteristics include Sidestreet Cafe and the very old and beautiful Oakwood Cemetary

Another item you will see on lots of houses (and my weekend DIY project!) is gold and black painted house numbers on the window above the door -- here are a few examples:

And my two favorite styles that I decided to copy

So just like the wine glasses I printed out the letters and numbers and taped to the back of the glass so I could paint over them

Painting over with gold leaf paint (left over from another project)

Nice Mama Dip's t-shirt!

Then I began outlining in black paint (I used a paint pen)

The finished project!

Which home would you want to live in?

XO,

Whit