Monday, July 20, 2009

Outside Stuff

The outside painting is coming along. I finished the shutters and the new screen door with a couple coats of green paint. The color is "Shortgrass Prairie" by Behr and it was a total spur of the moment purchase. I actually walked into Home Depot with another paint chip. If you've been reading my blog for a while you know I've gone off the deep end deciding on paint colors for the shutters. I just couldn't figure out what color to do and stressed over it. In the end I went to Home Depot, paint chip in hand and then grabbed a random color off the rack and asked them to mix it. No idea where that came from. It caught my eye so I went for it. Here's the result:





The screen door wasn't quite cute enough so I added this wreath applique...
This is what the house looked like when we bought it.....

And here it is now....

I'm really happy with how the walkway turned out...





The door topper came from The Country House .





I still haven't taken down my Fourth of July decor....


We've had this bench for a while now and I'm really tiring of it. I'll probably spray paint it chocolate brown like the wicker. And I'll use the spray paint attachment to save my hand (thanks to all the bloggers who suggested this!). Sewing some new pillows is also on the list.




Shall we head to the backyard?


I started working on the garage as well. I don't have a before pic on this computer but I changed the door panels from yellow to green and the hinges from red to black. It's coming along nicely. We still have to paint the rest of the trim and the garage itself which will be done in a neutral tan. I absolutely love our garage doors....


This back screen door was another addition, also painted green. Say hi to Tucker and Sebastian! They were anxious to come outside and play!



As promised here are pics of the backyard after the tree removal. Notice anything different from the front? Yup, our house is two different colors. The back is an addition and the siding wasn't matched to the rest of the house. Now that the tree is out we realize just how ugly the back of our house is, it was hiding before!
We hope to reside the entire house (in one color of course) in 3-5 years. Until then we'll do what we can with it. A patio is on the list as well as lots of landscaping!



We have a clean slate to work with back here. The addition of sun in the backyard really opens up planting possibilities....which is fun and overwhelming at the same time!


I'll probably take the next year to come up with a landscaping plan and put it in place next spring and summer. That should give me enough time to figure it all out......I hope.

44 comments:

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Michelle: I am the first one to comment! This is beautiful! I LOVE the green, LOVE the screen door and LOVE LOVE those garage doors! Everything looks fantastic!

You have done an outstanding job!

Lou Cinda :)

Darla said...

I beleive the green color is much more warm and inviting than the white was. Love your little added beauties sitting around. Chocolate brown will look awesome on that bench. You have a l arge yard to work with. Beautiful. NICE garage doors!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

The green is so soft and pretty. Great color. The garage doors look fantastic, I really like them. Your front porch is wonderful, I wish I had a really nice big one. I think the bench painted chocolate and some green pillows will look fabulous. Hugs, Marty

Unknown said...

I adore everything you've done. The green is perfection!!!!
♥ Jen

jamie said...

I love the green color! I love everything about your house's exterior. It is lovely.

Christina said...

Everything looks wonderful. Your front porch is so inviting!

Jill@Barnes Yard said...

aaaahhhhh, I LOVE the little hidden plates!

Kari said...

Michelle,
That color is PERFECT. It couldn't be any better. It's just enough contrast but still soft and dusty looking. Beautiful! And your house is just to die for my dear... leaves this Cali girl longing for a little character!

Kathleen Grace said...

I think the color you found for the front door and shutters is perfect. I'll have to try the grab and go technique next time I'm obsessing about what color to choose, it sure worked for you:>)

Maisy said...

I just love that color green. That wreath was just the perfect touch!
I love your home. I never tire of seeing photos of it.
Now you have given me the painting bug...I gotta go!!
xo

Sarah said...

Ooohh! The outside looks great Michelle!

Melissa Miller said...

Michelle it all loooks so pretty!
The walkway looks beautiful. Your new soft green color choice is wonderful. I adore your garage doors! I have seen some like them on a new build and fell in love. I must have them on our next home for sure. ~GORGEOUS! :)

xinex said...

The new green paint on the door and shutters is wonderful, even matches the bird house. ...Christine

Jacylann Nix said...

I love the green! the makeover is beautiful!! i love the walk way too!

Ellie Mae's Cottage said...

Everything is looking so very nice! All the little touches looks awesome! I love what you did with the screen door. You have a really nice out back. So much room for a perennial garden and a veggie garden. It looks like it gets some really good sun too so you'll have plenty of options. -Jackie

Rhonda said...

Your house is lovely! I am so envious of your porch. I so wish I had a nice porch like that. Enjoy!

Wendy @ Ramblings from the Sunshine State said...

Your porch & door look fantastic! Love the green. Our front yard needs a makeover. There really isnt anything out there!

sally from the valley said...

you are such a busy lil beaver! i love the green & yellow combo! when we moved into our 1920's home the kitchen was the same "celery" green and "sunny" yellow...do you know if that is typical for that time period? when i first saw it in my home...i was not too sure about it...now i love it!..and i love yours too.
i can't wait to see your house in person!

English Cottage in Georgia said...

I am LOVING your changes. The colors are fantastic as is the walkway to the front porch.
I thought I had been busy, you guys are super busy bees.

Anonymous said...

Firstly Michelle, let me say that I hope your wrist is better. I have had a lot of firsthand experience lately and I know what that must feel like.

I have followed along and I am just amazed at what a terrific transformation you are making with this house. Forgive me for not commenting more often, but I do catch up eventually.

What great curb appeal you have now. Your colors are so attractive, and I love the knobs. Your walkway looks so pretty.

You must be so proud of all of your hard work. It truly has become a lovely home. I can't wait to see your next project!

Eileen said...

Excellent color choice! I love the decorative touches you added to your screen door too!
I like both screen doors and your garage doors too.
Really nice size yard, and I don't think the back of your house looks bad at all. I'm sure the two different finishes bother you, but really I wouldn't have even noticed if you didn't point it out.

You have a really lovely home inside and out! It looks like a well-maintained home, but more than that, it looks like a well-loved home.

Farmgirl Paints said...

You have just a really beautiful house. I love what you've done. Nothing like making it yours by putting all your special touches all over. Great job.

beth said...

Everything looks so pretty. Your house would be one of those houses that I would walk by and think "I would sell my house and move if I could have that one". Love it!!

The Tall Skinny House said...

The screen door and shutters look so nice, and I really like your landscaping along your walkway! I have thought about doing something similar, and I like your photo! It looks very nice! :)

Darlene said...

I ABSOLUTELY love everything about your home!! It is just gorgeous and I LOVE the paint color you chose! Your walkway is fabulous!

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

Okay, that green is out-of-control gorgeous with the yellow. Perfect choice! And the walkway up to the front porch is so beautifully inviting. Way to go!

Julie said...

Michelle I love everything! It looks so great. the green is wonderful!!!! I love the screen door
Have a wonderful week
julie

Sue said...

Michelle, You've put a lot of care and work into your home and it shows so well. The color of the screen door is so pretty and serene. The carriage doors on the garage look really nice, too. It ALL looks nice!
:-) Sue

- Sarah :-) said...

Wow - the house looks great!! Just curious, but is it possible to paint siding? I've wondered since we bought our house. I don't like the color, but the siding is in good condition... let me know what you think. Maybe it'll save you some money until you can't stand it anymore?!

Unknown said...

Great ideas.My husband and I are working on something similar to your walkway.It been rainy here so we havent had time to finish.Your blog is very inspiring! Fun Finds 2 U... Chickie

Home as Hobby said...

Having a giveaway for my 100th post...come on by! :)
Blessings!

Amy {The Red Chair Blog} said...

Love your use of unique hardware on the door. Your front porch looks like a wonderful place to relax. Those garage doors are great too.

imjacobsmom said...

Cute changes! I love the new color choice. I think your hinges do look better painted black, and your walkway looks so inviting. ~ Robyn

A Southern Rose said...

Your house is so beautiful! I love the green paint that you picked out!

Rue said...

Hi Michelle :)

That turned out to be the perfect green! See.... you didn't need any help! Everything you touch is golden :)

Your house was darling before, but it's even more so now. I can't wait to see what you do with the back yard!

xo,
rue

Lynette said...

Everything looks so pretty!! Your front porch looks so homey and welcoming - that is the one thing we don't have - although if we did, we'd never sit out there - it would be way to hot - but still . . . your's is lovely. Can't wait to see your house transform into a home!

Happy Hump Day -

Its So Very Cheri said...

I linked to you today: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zxD_fl1uzgU/SmWjRnILZtI/AAAAAAAACmI/ChgtdBTIIZs/s320/Bird+Nest+3.jpg
Cheri

Its So Very Cheri said...

Hey Michelle-
I guess I missed the picture of the back of the house when I read this earlier. Can you get a paint swatch that is almost a perfect match to paint the back or do a bunch of the green and yellow accents back there to make it all blend. If you do a post about being linked and link back to me-let me know.
Cheri

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

I love all your pictures....You do a fantastic job on your blog...

cherry said...

Beautiful...love the porch vignettes. cherry

The Elegant Thrifter said...

So pretty. You did a beautiful job on your home. Stan

Amber said...

You have an absolutely GORGEOUS country home! It is so darling! Love the front porch!

SarahJarnagin said...

I love the color you chose for your screen door! Your outdoor spaces look so beautiful - I'm jealous! Loving your garage doors as well.

Shabby Rose said...

Hi I love how you added an Applique to the old screen door, looks really pretty.
I have a website www.shabbyrosedecor.com and I sell appliques like that one and many more. If you ever need any feel free to send me an email.
Sharin