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New Look for the White House

By Jordan | Before and After

Author:  Spring (Jordan)

Greetings!  This week Mom and I are reposting some of our favorite blog entries from 2011.  Today I am happy to take you on a return visit to our home’s exterior to see the change paint and shutters did to the in-your-face white look it had when we purchased it.  Enjoy.

 

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It finally happened! The outside of our house got a makeover.  Come along with me and enjoy the process.

 

IMG4384 - New Look for the White House

First of all, can you actually see the house here in the Syracuse winter?  During our first winter in the house we had record snow falls in Syracuse, and it was hard to actually see it sometimes.  It blended right in to its surroundings.

 Before we painted our house, our neighbors who have lived on our block for 50 years told us all white houses once were the trend.  Every house on the block was  white.  Then one neighbor got up the nerve and painted his house a color.  When that person decided to add color, most of the house owners on the block followed.  Our house remained white, though.  So, after being white for at least fifty years, we decided she deserved a change.

 

House before shrubs - New Look for the White House

This is what our house looked like in the spring when we realized we had an overgrown shrub problem.

 

after better 1024x802 - New Look for the White House

We knew we wanted to add window boxes, and that is the first thing we did.  So, we were able to check it off our list.  But after seeing the window boxes, I have now learned I need to plant more in the boxes to make them fuller.  This winter we are going to build bigger/better boxes to hang next year.

Next up was a new paint color for the house.

 

House Paint colors 1024x682 - New Look for the White House

When it was time to select a color for the exterior, we first thought we wanted a gray, but after walking Gracie around the neighborhood, we saw other colors we liked.  We headed to Home Depot to get some paint samples, and these are the first six we selected.

We knew this job was too much of a DIY job for us. While I have jumped out of a plane and love zip-lining, I wasn’t too crazy about the thought of being on a ladder, and neither was Mr. Spring.  We eneded up hiring a painter, after checking his references, and followed his suggestion for a paint brand.  He said to purchase Behr with primer already in the paint, and that is what we did.  We have used Behr with primer on some of the interior walls, and we really like it.

 

House color samples 1024x682 - New Look for the White House

We liked being able to test the colors on the house, and we could see how they looked in the sun.  After having the samples on the side of our house for a few days, we decided we were not thrilled with any of them.  Back to Home Depot we went for more samples.

 

House all paint samples 1024x682 - New Look for the White House

We decided to try four more samples of gray.  Let me tell you, it is so overwhelming with all the colors of gray.  If they just had four colors to choose from, it would have been easy.  But after thinking and looking for a few days, we came up with the perfect color for our house.

 

House after just color 1024x745 - New Look for the White House

Here is the house painted with  Sparrow by Behr.  Thanks, Adam, we love the color on the house! Now we can put a big check beside that item on our to-do list.  The house is painted!!!

Then we decided to add some shutters to get another color and give the house a little more definition.  Really, it is like adding mascara after you have done your make-up.

 

House Mr 682x1024 - New Look for the White House

You can see Mr. Spring installing the shutters.  I think this was the easiest quick fix we have done to our house yet.  But,  I was not the one up there on the roof.

 

House with shutters 682x1024 - New Look for the White House

Shutters on the house- Check.  It is looking even better.

 

House door 682x1024 - New Look for the White House

Next up, we needed to add some lipstick paint the door.  This is the original door, and I love it. Unfortunately, it is not energy efficient at all.  We do have a storm door, but we have talked about replacing it with a more energy efficient door.  Don’t worry.  We would definitely get something that would fit the craftsman style.

 

House after 1024x751 - New Look for the White House

Front door painted- Check.

 

House before shrubs1 - New Look for the White House

Just to show you again what it used to look like.

 

House after 1 1024x682 - New Look for the White House

We now think our house is cute.  Just think!  When we were house-hunting, we almost didn’t even get out of the car to go in.  Its curb appeal was that dull.  But the inside was already redone, and we knew that with some hard work, we could spruce up the exterior.

 

Holiday house 1024x763 - New Look for the White House

Now that we have the back yard and patio completed and the house painted, we are going to enjoy the little bit of summer we have left and head back out to the Adirondacks for some kayaking and camping.  We are also busy training for our first marathon in October.

 The project list for next summer has already started.  We are going to redo the landscaping in the front along with lots of other things.  I’ll be sure you to keep you posted.

 

Cheers!

Linking to shbutton - New Look for the White House

I was not paid by any product mentioned in this post.

Related posts:

default - New Look for the White HouseA Little Mascara and Some Lipstick default - New Look for the White HouseWindow Boxes – Finally default - New Look for the White HouseThe White House House - New Look for the White HouseOur New House

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Comments

  1. Vanessa says

    December 27, 2011 at 10:12 pm

    Such a fabulous transformation! You made the perfect choices in colors for your house and I love seeing it dressed up for Christmas! 🙂
    Vanessa

  2. karen says

    December 28, 2011 at 7:23 am

    Ooh, I love it all – great choices… and the house looks SO perfect in it’s Christmas decor.

  3. Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says

    December 28, 2011 at 10:19 am

    Your choice of paint colors looks amazing. The house looks beautiful and I am so impressed with all of the work you have done yourselves! You have it decorated so beautifully for the holidays that it looks like a picture in a magazine! Wishing you and your family and truly blessed New Year!!

  4. the cape on the corner says

    December 28, 2011 at 1:46 pm

    oh my gosh, it is such an amazing change! i love the colors and the red door, but all done up for xmas with the red ribbon really makes it pop. gorgeous! i have gray house envy! the boyfriend will not allow painting of our brick cape to happen…even after the mockup in photoshop. ugh!

  5. Jae says

    December 28, 2011 at 3:40 pm

    It’s so beautiful now! Great job. Love your red door!

  6. Aimee - ItsOverflowing says

    December 28, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    Your house is BEAUTIFUL! I’m excited to blog with you in 2012!!! I’m hosting a party and would LOVE for you to link up!!! XO, Aimee

    Overflowing with Creativity

  7. Katie @ On the Banks of Squaw Creek says

    December 28, 2011 at 8:53 pm

    I love this! Your picture over at Rhoda’s instantly drew me in – gorgeous house!

  8. Sandy says

    December 28, 2011 at 9:56 pm

    Love the transformation! It is jaw-dropping gorgeous and so inviting. Love the Christmas wreaths on the windows. Your red door is perfect and really makes a statement.

    I bet you love looking at your house every time you pull into your driveway. BTW, I was born in Syracuse NY.

    ~Sandy

  9. Paula says

    December 29, 2011 at 6:24 am

    Love the design of your house and the paint totally transformed its looks.

    Hope your marathon in October went well. I’m a runner, too, and it’s always fun to find a fellow running blogger.

  10. Cathy says

    December 29, 2011 at 2:02 pm

    I love a good curb appeal story…you did a fabulous job bringing out the inherent charm in your home.
    Happy New Year!
    Cathy @ Room Rx

  11. CAS says

    December 30, 2011 at 8:14 am

    That was an amazing transformation, Jordan! It’s almost like the house knew its own potential and emerged more lovely with each step you took. The paint, the shutters, window boxes (adore) & then your red door — it just all works so well. Love it!
    Happy New Year!
    CAS

  12. claire says

    January 8, 2012 at 7:50 am

    Wow-love the transformation-you did a wonderful job-I’m your newest follower-stop by for a visit!

Jordan and Janette

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