If you have been a regular follower of 21 Rosemary Lane you will know that we live in a mid century expanded Cape Cod style home that was built somewhere between 1968 and 1973. I can tell you that for me it was love at first site! Despite the dated landscaping, nasty brick facade, broken up walkway and depressing garage doors, I always felt like the exterior of our house had real potential.
Well after almost 15 years of living with this rather sad and worn look, I finally sat down with the computer to put together my ideas giving old 21 Rosemary Lane some badly needed curb appeal.
Below is what she looks like today.
The front hedge is beginning to die along with the ground covering.
Here is a a closer look at that brick from a couple pics I took a few years ago. It looks fake but trust me it is real!
My ideas for the new look, well let's take it piece by piece. First thing to be done is to remove the landscape in front of the bay window. This will be done to make room for a new 30 foot by 6 foot wide front porch which will run the entire length of the brick wall.
Next I am going to apply a technique to the brick called a German Smear, which is a type of white wash that gives brick an aged appearance. The medium I plan to use is simple mortar.
(Fixer Upper)
This technique was used in season 3 of the popular show Fixer Upper, and the moment I saw it I knew it was what I wanted to do with our front brick.
I also would like to replace the front door and side light. We purchase a new door for the house back in 2004, but to be honest it has taken a beating between kid and dog traffic plus it really doesn't go with the overall new vibe I'd like for the house. I found the stained mahogany door below on line at Home Depot for $1545. It is from a company called Steves & Sons. The price is a bit of a budget buster but totally worth it!
The tired blue shutters will be replaced with back louver shutters plus an additional pair will be added to frame out the front bay window.
We will be breaking up the already disintegrating walkway and putting down a brick walkway, similar to the one below, leading from the front steps to the driveway on the right.
(houzz)
And finally I'd like to replace the garage doors with two wood grained doors which will coordinate with the new front door.
The planned transformation will take our home from this...
...to a look like this.
This...
...to this.
Whatayathink???
I am so excited to finally see my vision on the computer screen. I think Mr. Rosemary Lane is pretty excited as well. Hoping to start this project in the not too distant future.
Yipppeeee!
Wishing you all a fabulous final week of April!!!
XO
Thanks to both...your sites really rock!
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Your plans and ideas look stunning! And you will enjoy using an expanded porch for relaxing, and neighborly visits. Can't wait to see the progress.
ReplyDeleteI love your ideas! I can't wait to see it happen!
ReplyDeleteOh my word, it will be gorgeous. Can't wait to see it all come together.
ReplyDeleteOMG, Barbara. The minute I saw the first pic I could hear Chip yelling GERMAN SCHMERE!!! and I loved that house the best of all they have done. It is a perfect plan for your home and even though I love how your green landscape and red pops make a gorgeous statement, WOW this will look so much prettier. I love what you are going to do..Get started soon!!..Happy Monday..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteOh I LOVE this Barb, it's going to be gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara, I really like the look you are going for. Can I throw this out there? Since it appears that you are going to be building the porch new, think about maybe adding a header to support the roof overhang in such a way that a column does not cut the bay in half. The bay is really a lovely feature, especially with shutters. I would also play around a bit with a nice sized column, i.e. minimum 6x6 or 8x8. Or, You might also consider putting one column right up close to the wall of the left side of the door, then 2 right next to each other to the right of the door, and two at the far end, again right next to each other. play with it on computer for distances, but I think you might find it will make both the door and the bay window extra special. and the area right in front of the bay a feature to allow decor, i.e. rockers, furniture or whatever you like. Just throwing it out there. It is going to be terrific no matter; love German Schemer.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the idea Charisse. Yes you are right the middle column does cut the bay in half from the curb view as well as the view from the inside looking out. Actually that middle column is not load bearing at all so that should be a simple adjustment. I will definitely be playing around with the idea...thank you again and have a great day!!!
DeleteLove the look, Barbara. It is going to be fantastic when you are done. At least you are taking your time and now know exactly what you do want. It is really a timeless look, too. Hope you have a great week- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteBarbara this is going to look amazing. The German smear really will make the biggest difference. Can't wait to see the final reveal.
ReplyDeleteI think it's going to be gorgeous. Love all the details of the project. I also like that you are beefing up those porch posts. I don't understand why builders always used skinny little porch posts. I can't wait to see the finished project.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks fantastic! Great taste! Perhaps beef up the front porch columns or posts. Looking good!
ReplyDeleteYes, I like this look. What a nice update this will be. I hope you can take the bigger posts right to the top. The brick application will look terrific and I like the darker shutters. You have a lot planned, and it will look great.
ReplyDeleteLove the new look and the German Smear on the brick ! Looks great!
ReplyDeleteI love your ideas!
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