We’ve been putting blood, sweat, and tears into fixing up the Homestead, but nothing compared to what you are going to see today. Get prepared for a facelift transformation that will leave you speechless.
Before
This is our homestead. This is how it looked when we first moved in four years ago, and how it has mostly looked since we’ve been here. It’s a 1962 split level with multiple additions that had been added prior to us moving in.
Here is a side view of the front of the property. The first thing we did when we moved was to trim a bunch of the trees and remove some of the overgrown bushes.
During
Next on the list was some more landscaping and working on the front garden. The front garden is west-facing and is good at growing weeds, but not so much flowers, so it’s been a lot of trial and error as to what works and doesn’t. Experiment. Fail. Experiment. Fail. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
This is the front of the house in “relatively” good condition, but then we noticed the portico was rotting and falling apart.
We updated the portico to be structurally sound and gave it a little paint. So far, so good, but we knew there was going to be more work down the road. And that day has come…
After – The Big Reveal
Welcome home! New paint, new shutters, new window boxes, new flower garden… it’s like an entirely new home.
We gave our Property Manager and Contractor, Chris and his crew, a list of summer projects for the homestead exterior, including new paint. I got a phone call at work, “so you aren’t shocked, we started painting today.” I called Hubby to tell him.
“We’re painting the house?” He asked quizzically.
“Yes. I thought we were in agreement?” I said/asked hesitantly.
“Oh yeah, I just didn’t realize it was going to be today.” Queue the nerves. It’s not like we went from painting it beige to beige. This was kind of a big transformation. I’ve had the color in my head forever, and briefed Hubby on everything… but….still…it’s a bit of a shock.
Hubby came home and the first words out of his mouth… “I LOVE IT!!!!!”
…whew…
We went with Benjamin Moore’s HC-159 Philipsburg Blue. But there was one problem…
I love Benjamin Moore paint. I have used it in several rooms around the home. But to paint the entire exterior of the house…. it’s a bit on the expensive side. So Chris took the swatch to Ace Hardware and we got an exterior match at a better price. #howweroll #champagnetastebeerbudget #noonewillnoticethedifference #oursecretdonttell
We even added a new American Flag, just in time for Memorial Day.
Have you ever had a crush on a certain house color? I’ve had this look in my head from the day we moved in. With the red brick, I thought that blue paint, along with black shutters, white trim, and our red door would really pop.
But I also wanted it to look intentional. Like it fits and was always supposed to look this way. We are all totally over the moon excited with how it turned out.
One Last Look – Before and After
It’s hard to tell with the sunlight in these pictures, but the ceiling of the portico is painted Haint Blue – an old Southern tradition to ward away the evil spirits and bugs.
Sometimes, a little dreaming, a lot of saving, and a lot of hard work finally pays off.
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Love, hugs, and welcome home.
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Holly, that is nothing short of amazing. It looks awesome. I am so relieved that your husband loved it, not at relieved as you were, I am sure. The nice green lawn area just sets it all off and it looks like such beautiful sunny day. Lovely.
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen – You are such a sweet heart, thank you for your kind words. We are so excited that it turned out beyond our expectations. I was getting picture text messages with the guys on the ladders painting and was like….. ohhhh… it’s really happening!!! Hugs, Holly
Holly if you have a minute would you like to come and share your lovely house on Fridays Blog Booster Party#8 That would be awesome if you could it is Live now. http://60-thenew40.com/fridays-blog-booster-party-8/
Nice job! I love the Americana feel!
Thanks so much for stopping by to share your kind words! Hugs, Holly
I love it! It looks amazing!
Hi Erin – Long time no chat!!! Thank you for stopping by so share your compliments! Hope all is well with you and the family. Hugs, Holly
This is GORGEOUS, Holly! I love the paint color, and the tradition of painting the portico ceiling! This looks like a Chip and Joanna Gaines “Fixer Upper” — time to call HGTV! 🙂 Congratulations, and I’m glad your husband loved it, too. My heart did a little quick time on your behalf when I read that part! 🙂
Hi Wendy – OMG you are too too kind!!! I absolutely LOVE Chip and Joanna! Could she be any sweeter or more talented??? Thank you for your kind words, very much appreciated. Hugs, Holly
Beautiful job! I love the color of the house and overall look of it! I am not a homeowner yet but I have always had an interest in fixer-uppers and making a house your own. Congratulations! 🙂
Hi Shannon – Thank you so much for stopping by to share your kind words. I know that a lot of people like brand new houses, but there is something about a house built in 1962 with a lot of character and potential to put in the effort to make it your own. Hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
wow! enjoy!!
b
Thanks so much! Hugs, Holly
I can see why you bought the place. You brighten it up. Love love the blue. Awesome.
Hi Sarah – You are so sweet, thank you! Hugs, Holly
It’s beautiful. Home Sweet Home.
Hi Aunt Stephanie – Thanks so much and I hope you can see it soon! Love, Holly
Holly, I am stopping by to let you know that I featured your blog on my Shout Out Saturday blog of May.
Thank you for sharing so many great posts!
Hi Debbie – Such an honor, thank you so much! I returned the favor WOO HOO!!! Hugs, Holly
The whole transformation sets off the colors in the flag!!!
Hi Donna Marie – They really do, don’t they? Thanks so much for taking the time to say hello and hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
Stopping by from BNOTP.
What a beautiful transformation. You must be so proud.
Glad your hubby liked the color too!
Linda C in Seattle
Hi Linda – Thank you so much for stopping by to share your kind thoughts. I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
This really is jaw dropping. Great work! Thanks for linking up to Share Your Style! Amanda
Hi Amanda – Thank you so much for your sweet words. Hugs, Holly
Wow! Your hard work really paid off! That blue is just right 🙂 Visiting from TDC
Hi Errolyn – Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by – I love that blue!!! Hugs, Holly
Now………..it’s a home. Absolutely beautiful – doesn’t even look like the same place and what a vision you had. This is marvelous and your crew did an outstanding job. Kudos to all!
Hi Margaret – You are so sweet, thank you for stopping by to share your kind thoughts. I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
It looks just wonderful and I love the blue color you chose!!
Hi Christine – Thanks so much for your kind words! Hugs, Holly
The before and after is AMAZING! I love the new look!! You are so creative and your photos are perfect! It would be amazing if you would stop by our party, and share your favorite posts with us. We are trying to grow our link party and I believe that our readers would love to be inspired by your ideas! Join in at the Friday Favorites Link Party, live every Thursday at 7PM at mustlovehome.com….I hope I see you there – Christine @ Must Love Home
Hi Christine – Thank you for stopping by and sharing your kind words… and the invitation too! I’ll have to stop by to check it out! Hugs, Holly
You really brought it to life. It’s simply stunning.
Hi Connie – Thank you so much for sharing your kind words! I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
I love the idea of blue on the roof to keep away evil spirts. And bugs. Was that the inside of the porch? I have heard that in the South .
Barbara Ann
etsy.com / shop / barbaraannscreations
Hi Barbara Ann – Thank you for taking the time to stop by! Yes, the “haint” (light) blue is on the inside ceiling of the front porch – it’s a very southern thing. Love your etsy shop btw… love all things vintage!!! Hugs, Holly
Thank you. Your so kind. I am happy to offer you & your reader’s 10% off with coupon code THANKU. I subscribed to your blog. I wanna see more house!
Your home looks beautiful! You were right… the color is perfect! Thank you for sharing with us!
Amazing transformation!
Thanks so much Pamela! Hugs, Holly
Gorgeous, love the blue, it’s perfect for that style of house!!
Hi Debra – Thank you so much! We are very excited with how everything turned out. Hugs, Holly
Holly, what an amazing transformation! I love the new color! It breathed new life into the curb appeal! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the fan favorites at the Sunday Showcase from the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link so you can check out your feature!
http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/06/the-sunday-showcase-from-make-it-pretty.html See you tomorrow at the Make it Pretty Monday party! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Hi Kathryn – I just stopped by to check out the feature… I am completely humbled, thank you so much! Can’t wait to see what everyone is up to this week. And thanks again! Hugs, Holly
Very pretty!
Thanks so much Tina! Hugs, Holly
LOVE IT!! I am a lover of deep rich colors and I adore the color you chose for your siding! Love the flower boxes and now you have convinced me that i need new shutters!! and your flower beds are beautiful!!
Hugs,
Deb
Hi Deb – You are so sweet, thank you for your kind words. We are still waiting on the shutters by the door to come in, but they were custom and who knows when they will actually arrive! Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
I saw this post earlier in the week and have come back to it several times. I LOVE IT!!! What a great color. You are totally right that the red bricks and blue house and white door and trip compliment each other…perfectly. Well done!! Pinning!! Thanks for linking to Tips & Tricks. We can’t wait to see what you link up next. 🙂
Hi Sarah – Thank you for taking the time to stop by and share your kind words. And extra thanks for pinning! Hugs, Holly
What a difference !!!! love it!!!
Hi Lori – Thank you for sharing your kind words. Hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
This is simply amazing! I love the color you chose! Is this vinyl siding you painted? I would love to paint ours. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Beth – You are so sweet, thank you for your kind words. Yes, it’s vinyl siding. You just have to make sure the paint is specific to that material, which any brand will have these days. Hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
Hi Holly! The Weekly Feature Series is live on the blog where you are being showcased. Pop on over and check it out when you get a moment. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/06/weekly-feature-series.html Have a lovely weekend! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Hi Kathryn – Thank you so much for the feature! Such an honor! Can’t wait to see what everyone is up to this week!!! Hugs, Holly
I love the color you chose and the fact that you pulled up that large, straggly plant on the end. Such a lovely home now. You did a marvelous job. Brava! God bless.
Hi Martha – Thank you so much for stopping by to share your kind words. It’s been a lot of work but it’s great to finally start to see some of the transformations come to life. Hope to see you back here again soon. Hugs, Holly
Like your colors! Interesting that original builders located power box and phone box in front of the home. Hmmm . . . That’s why the tree was there, camouflage. Think about another small tree such as Japanese maple, like an emperor, a blood good, or a red dragon. Red leaves of these varieties would complement and be in keeping with color scheme.
Hi Marion – Thanks so much for stopping by to share! You are absolutely correct about the camouflage. Unfortunately, we had to gut a lot of the landscaping and start from scratch, so we are still building up the front garden. Always a work in progress! Hope to see you back here again soon. Hugs, Holly
What a beautiful job! Even though it’s a 1962 build, that gorgeous blue paint and the flag hanging out front gives it an immensely appealing historical look.
Additionally, the main thing I don’t like about the front of the house is that those two bottom windows to the left of the portico looked stunted because you really can’t see the top of the frame, almost as if someone put one too many rows of siding above. The wide-framed mullioned window to the left is very pretty and could probably be duplicated for the other two but mostly likely at very great cost. Somehow the bold blue paint distracts and I don’t notice the funny windows first thing anymore.
If I were in your part of the country looking for a home, I would definitely want to tour yours – very warm and inviting.
Hi Sandy – Thank you so much for stopping by to share! We live on historic land, but obviously the house is 1962 so we try to give a “nod” to the history with everything we do. Yeah, unfortunately with the split level those bottom windows are not too easy to work with. All of the houses in our neighborhood are either split level or split foyer so it’s pick your passion! Hope to see you back again soon! Hugs, Holly
I love the transformation of your home! I live in Northern VA too and my first home looked very much like your’s. It was blue with white trim and burgundy shutters and door. Same style, without the brick and addition. I loved the color scheme! My current home would look really nice with the addition of a portico. Hmmmm I may have to think about that one! Congrats on a beautiful “new” home! Hugs, Leena
Hi Leena – You are such a sweetheart, thank you so much for stopping by to share your kind words. Hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
I love your transformation! It looks great. I live just outside of Toronto Canada and I’m going to borrow your Haint Blue idea for our front portico. It’s a great idea. What a way to start summer! Congrats!
Hi Christina – Thanks so much for stopping by to share your kind words. Love how you are taking Haint Blue to Canada! We had a family trip to Niagara Falls and Oshawa/Whitby last fall and had such a wonderful time! Hugs to our favorite Northern neighbor! Holly
Hi,
Just found your site from another blog. What a transformation – so pretty. Can you tell me if you have wood siding or was it vinyl?
Thank you and Happy New Year!
Hi Sarah – It’s vinyl siding. Thanks so much for stopping by to say hello and I hope to see you again soon! Hugs, Holly
What an incredible transformation! That color is amazing!! It makes the whole house pop!
Hi Meg – Thank you so much for stopping by to share your kind words! Hope to see you again soon! Hugs, Holly
Oh, sweet, Holly! It’s amazing! Thank you for sharing! You are one of the fan favorites at the Sunday Showcase from the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link so you can check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2016/06/sunday-showcase-make-pretty-monday-6-7.html Have a lovely week, my friend! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
We have a Split Level very similar to yours built in 1963. Your remodel looks very nice but…there is still one glaring issue: THE LACK OF A
GABLE OVERHANG. The beautiful paint and shutters you added to the gable will deteriorate much too soon. An overhang not only offers
protection from the elements to the gable but an aesthetic 3-D eye appeal. Sorry to throw sour grapes here but an added gable overhang
would be the icing on the cake and make the entire house (remodel) really pop.