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    Curb Appeal Before and Imaginary After

    March 23, 2010 |

    This is not your typical DIY project…

    We’ve still got a lot of work on the inside that we’d like to get done before June, but I thought it would be fun to tackle some of the exterior projects with some imaginary before and afters. I used paint.net, a *free* editing program you can download, similar to photoshop.

    Here’s a picture of the side, main entrance of our house. Gravel driveway, non-existant walkway, not much in the way of landscaping, no light fixtures, let’s just say it is a LOT better (see before pictures here) but it does need love!

    image

    You probably already know by the title of my blog that we’d like to add black shutters. Let’s see how that would look…

    Wow! What a difference! Some people have said that we really don’t need the shutters after adding the new siding and trim, but ummm, yeahhh…. I DEFINITELY LIKE IT WITH THE SHUTTERS!!! I actually have green shutters (will spray paint), 5 pairs that will fit our windows and 4 pairs that are way too huge, that I got on freecycle before we even had a house - I couldn’t pass it up! Our local ReStore also has shutters, so I will snag some of those as well, then buy whatever else we’ll need.

     

    image

    Woo hoo, what do you think? Har har – I mean besides that my editing skills are laughable? I think I like it! It’d be a nice place to put some flower pots, a little black wrought iron bistro set, some plantings along the patio, and a welcome rug. Plus, grandpa wouldn’t have to struggle with coming into my house, that’s the biggest bonus right there.

    Another big curb appeal change would be the addition of flower boxes. This is something we probably won’t do, but while I’m playing pretend, I’d like to see how it would look! Using my magic wand, google images, and Ann Marie’s image, we get…

    image

    Okay… maybe I will think more seriously about adding flower boxes! The major downside would be bringing bugs into the house, but we already have tons of ants and ladybugs, what’s a few more, right? 😉 I like it a lot, but keeping my priorities in check, this one will slide to the back burner for the time being.

    Some other things I’d like to do would be to add more landscaping. I love gardening, flowers, and anything that grows. My mom and dad are big gardeners, both grandma’s were gardeners, so it’s in my blood. I’m thinking a winding bed of ornamental grasses and bushes, perennials, and anything family members want to split off and share with me (hint, hint if you’re reading…). We’ll also add a walkway from the one I drew in to the real front door.

    Speaking of the front door… how would that area look with shutters and the chimney painted?

    IMG_1319before  IMG_1319shutters

    What a difference… I’m totally sold on the shutters now. And I was totally pulling the idea for the chimney out of nowhere, had no idea how it’d look, but I really like it now! I’m not a huge fan of the big bulky bushes, those will probably go free to someone who can dig them out via craigslist and the winding landscaping from the side will continue to the front.

    Here’s a before and after with the original house (as it came) and with all the edits:

    IMG_4707before

    IMG_1318after

    and the front…

    IMG_4720b4

      IMG_1319shutters

    I’m so excited about the shutters and changes now that I know how they’ll look!

    White Tan House, Black Shutters, here we come!

    More old posts

    • The Big Bed is OUT!
    • A Walk Through the Yard and Snapping Pics
    • Always Kiss Me Goodnight
    • Painting the Things No One Sees

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    Comments

    1. Megan

      August 28, 2012 at 1:50 am

      What a difference painting that trim made. WOW! Your house is so cute!

    2. Anonymous

      September 13, 2010 at 11:46 pm

      I did something similar to you. After pricing new plastic shutters to replace the faded Colonial Blue ones that were on my red brick house, I realized I could paint them. I knew I wanted black and after enlisting the help of a boy, they are now back up on my house. If I do say so myself, they make my house look Oh, so elegant! I love saving money and getting a better look to boot! Sometimes, it is about the journey.

    3. micah @ the yellow front door

      March 26, 2010 at 9:43 pm

      I am digging the black shutters FO SHO!!

    4. Katherine @ Grass Stains

      March 25, 2010 at 4:18 am

      You're right! The black shutters would make such a big impact. Yea for you for being proactive and finding a great site to help you visualize it. Good luck!

    5. mama lama ding dong

      March 24, 2010 at 2:02 am

      I like it, but with window boxes they take tons of watering and I worry about your siding.....but and I know you hate fake but I think that would solve bugs and water damage...?

    6. Bonnie @ House of Grace

      March 23, 2010 at 3:14 am

      That looks great!!! That seems like a cool site!Bonnie

    7. jeanne @ Inspiring Ideas

      March 23, 2010 at 5:42 am

      Yes! Beautiful! How fun to see it and know you're decision is a great one! It's coming along! I just used Photoshop ('cause that's what I have and know) to "add" some iron work to our home's exterior. Can't wait to have it installed!

    8. Sara @ Russet Street Reno

      March 23, 2010 at 4:13 am

      Ann Marie, I'm so glad you commented and started 'following' me, I must agree that the black shutters are a MUST! Can't wait to check out the rest of your blog 🙂

    9. Liz @ Sugarplum Creations

      March 23, 2010 at 3:42 am

      Wow! Those shutters make all the difference. I went back to see where you started, and you've made it a long way! Congrats 🙂

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    Hi, I'm Ann Marie. I want to help you find peace in your home through simplifying your life, taking on small projects, and learning to find your style. Learn more about this site and why I started it...

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    Hi, I'm Ann Marie. I want to help you find peace in your home through simplifying your life, taking on small projects, and learning to find your style. Learn more about this site and why I started it...

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