Our Exterior

HERE WE GO: EXTERIOR RENO

May 27, 2020

Sometimes you really aren’t ready for a home project but unforeseen circumstances force it a little earlier than planned. We have known for a while that we were going to have to do some exterior updates to our home but we weren’t quite ready for a full blown exterior remodel. We started some wood rot repair a few weeks ago and we knew we wanted to replace a few of the last remaining original windows and paint our home. But then the wood rot contractor came in and found some unexpected surprises that changed the scope of the entire project.

A picture of our original tudor built in the late 1930’s above and a few recent photos below.

Our 1930’s tudor had an addition put on about 25 years ago and long story short, earlier wood rot had not been repaired correctly.  As a result, the stucco and siding around almost all of the windows has allowed moisture to get inside and now the window and siding damage is extensive. We appreciated our contractor’s honesty as he told us he could not repair the wood rot knowing there were bigger problems internally. Here are a few photos of the damage once they used their tools to dive in and see how deep the problem really was.

We now know that we are looking at a bigger project as mostly all of the windows are damaged and moisture has gotten behind the stucco. We are getting bids and trying to figure out how we can find a solution to the problems and update our exterior while staying within our budget. It’s definitely going to be challenging but I am excited to bring a fresh and more modern look to our home while still retaining it’s original character.

I have been collecting inspiration for years and these exteriors have amazing curb appeal and some of the elements I want to incorporate into our project. At the top of my wish list is to lighten the whole house up. This means no more red brick. We will paint the brick and likely go white with dark accents. It’s going to be a really dramatic change. I love the black accents and the contrast in this stunner.

Design by Mark Kirby and Dixon Kirby Homes

I am leaning towards a stained door. Our little house has had a red front door forever! It will be a drastic but good change! The doors are so beautiful along with the painted brick and amazing roof line here.

Design by Grandfather Homes

Windows are so overwhelming and I could write an entire post on them alone. We will have to decide between light or dark and the style. I am leaning towards dark and I am love with these windows! We have never lived in a house with new windows as we have always had older homes. I can’t even imagine how that will be!

Photo by Andersen Windows

Two of my favorite things about our home is the original limestone and the ivy that grows up the front peak. We want to keep both and I think they will look beautiful with the lighter paint and the dark accents while retaining some of the original character.

Design by Gulf Shore Design

This charming home below has light windows that also look so stunning with the white brick black accents and arched door. I love the sconces and potted boxwoods too.

Photo by The Potted Boxwood

The painted brick tudor below with dark windows, white plank and copper accents just gets everything right! Copper gutters would be my dream.

Design by The Fox Group

That’s it for now. I feel both overwhelmed yet excited on the decisions we will have to make rather quickly. For now, they have sort of saran wrapped our house to help keep the elements out. We are thankful it is almost summer and we are not dealing with winter. I hope you will join us for the ride. Stay tuned for more!

-Lindsay