Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Farmhouse Face Lift

When we bought our home five years ago, we knew it had lots of potential:


(Google image)

No, that's not our home, but sometimes it sure feels like it!

Despite all the work it needed, we fell in love with the place.  The huge, wrap-around porch, the beautiful hardwood floors, the floor-to-ceiling windows at the back of the house, and the farm itself.



We spent the first few years tackling the inside and renovated the kitchen, the foyer, updated the foyer bathroom, replaced the spiral staircase to the second floor with a traditional staircase, built a built-in entertainment center under the new staircase, and renovated the master bedroom, including adding a walk-in closet, and updated the sunroom.  Click here and here for posts/pictures of some of our work.

Next, we moved on to our guest cottage which was originally a barn-shaped garage.  We had a septic system installed, added a bathroom, and updated both the main and upstairs floors.


(Painting the exterior of the guest cottage is on our to-do list)

Over the past several months we've been busy giving the outside of our home a much need face lift.  And by "we," I really mean mostly Captain Project.  Someone's gotta make the lemonade and choose paint colors, right?

You know how one thing leads to another?  Well, we started with painting the house.  It was blue.  A dull, depressing blue.  This was the before:



And now the after:



I love the white, and how it really pops with the black trim.

As Captain Project was painting the house, he discovered a disturbing dip in the roof line.  Uh oh!  That led to repairing the roof and then the porch ceiling.



Which led to replacing the original porch lights:



...With new ones:



Next was changing the color of the porch ceiling:



I've wanted a blue ceiling on the porch since we bought the place and am so happy to have it now!

Then we had to address the rotted porch floor.  Who uses untreated lumber outside?!  Ugh!



We're planning on staining the floor a dark brown once the wood dries out, but that may take up to six months.



Next up was replacing the ugly walkway...



...With brick:


(Gratuitous shot of those sexy legs ~ in combat boots!)


(Hmmm, guess I should've swept off the sand before snapped a pix.)

Next up is replacing the cruddy stairs and rotted railings:



Before too long our little house is going to look pretty near perfect!  Gotta run now and mix up another batch of lemonade.  My work never ends;)

16 comments:

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Love your home it is beautiful.
I had to laugh at the falling down picture of the first house you showed. Too funny.

I really like the guest cottage- and the way it mimics the main house on your property.

...I love lemonade! (fresh squeezed) Pat

Anonymous said...

And do you sit in that wicker porch swing while chosing those paint colors? ;)

You have a beautiful place there, Cindy!

LBP said...

When you own a house the work never ends! Love all you renovations. We are tearing out the master bath this winter. I am both excited and dreading it!

Blessings

Linda

Missy Shay said...

I think you have my dream house! The first picture actually looks similar to a flat we lived in up North (minus the falling down part).

ImagiMeri said...

Wow....does Captain Project ever sleep???? Does he have a job???? If not, send him my way....I've got lot's of projects for him...;o)

The house is looking fantastic.

Hugs,
Meri

Ric Rac and Polka Dots said...

Oh my gosh Cindy, I love your house and the setting. I always wanted to live further out in the country, but with all our kids and parents in town we settled for a little under 2 acres bordering town. I guess I'll just live vicariously through your project and home. Love it!!!
I wanted to let you know I received the book and the little goodies you added. I don't think I emailed you . . but if I did just pretend I didn't. Senility might be setting in. Thank you so much. I just love them. It was very sweet. Now to get time to read the book . . . I guess I'll have to schedule a little laying out in the sun on the chaise lounge time as soon as it warms up again! .(It's really cold out today.) Thank you again, so much!
Hugs,
Julie

Tammy's in Love said...

Mr. Blanding's Dream House, Baby Boom, the Money Pit; the comedies from Hollywood are always because in real life, we fall in love with these incredible charmers! Beautiful and everybody needs a hobby...smile!

Old Fashioned Gal said...

I have a fantastic idea! How about I come stay at your guest house some weekends and we'll go thrifting together and other girly things?! lol
What a lovely home you have! The hard work y'all have put into it I'm sure makes it feel more like home! :)
-Denise

Jenny's Heart said...

Looking great! I love the new light fixtures and the paint makes a huge difference!

Chenille Cottage said...

What a great post...It's so nice to see all the progress you've made over time on your wonderful home. I love your big front porch and the brick walkway. what a pleasure it must be to just sit and take in all the pretty new flooring and paint.
Blessings and "Way to gos!"
Carolynn

chrisartist said...

You have a beautiful home Cindy.
I love the new colou scheme.
Chris

My Vintage Mending said...

Cindy it looks like a bed and breakfast. I'd look forward to meals on the porch with all that hard work going on...Captain Project, does he rent out? I could use a good handy man for some construction around here....smiles..Renee

Little Susie Home Maker said...

I have to say, making good lemonade is not always easy! You have both done a fantastic job on your house! I love being able to take a home, and add your own fixer upper touches to it. not that it is always fun, just ask my husband, while I am squeezing lemon! I know you know what I mean. You should have seen me and the kids balancing on kitchen chairs to hold up the sheet rock, while hubby screwed in the drywall screws! That was fun.. not. Your hose looks wonderful! Glad you got the home you wanted and have the ability to fix it up to your own taste! Awesome!
Blessings,
Susie

Donna said...

There is always something to update around a house! Yours is lovely along with the setting. I love your porch and all the updates especially the blue ceiling!
Hugs,
Donna

Nadine @ Chic with the Kool-Aid Mustache said...

Wow what a difference a little...well ok...a lot of paint does! I love the white with black trim and the new lighting fixtures are so you. You guys have been busy this summer...Captain Project may wanna go back to work soon! Enjoy

Becky said...

Love, love, love your house. The changes y'all have made are wonderful and true to the style!