UncategorizedOur Cottage Exterior – The Renovation Plan June 26, 2014If you missed yesterday’s post, make sure you go check it out to see where we’re starting and what we want to change. As a reminder, here’s the before photo of our house when we bought it. So much to do! There is one thing I do have to clarify before sharing this plan. The photos of bungalows I shared yesterday are not inspiration images for this exterior renovation. Man, would I love that! But there is no way that we can turn this cottage into those with our very minimal budget. Those were what I hoped to buy and then we ended up with this house, which is perfect in its own way. We are doing SMALL upgrades to boost curb appeal, not an entire exterior overhaul. So, here’s our inspiration and plan! All White Exterior: Remember, I said yesterday that we would be getting rid of the gutters and iron posts? We are replacing those with wooden posts that create a little more visual interest for our entry. We debated and debated what color to do those and whether or not to stain them since our house was white. But, I love white and in the end, we’ve decided to go with all white. I promise it will make sense when you see it. We’re doing white posts and white board and batten in the pediment above the portico. I know what you’re thinking…too much white! But there is a reason. Wooden Front Door: Here’s the reason. We really wanted to go with a lovely dark stained, wood front door. I love the look of a dark wooden door against all white. It pops and provides contrast. After deciding to do an all-wood door, the white portico made sense. It will still add architectural interest, but will allow our wood door to shine. Copper Lantern: I knew all of this white and wood needed some metallic, so we’ll be bringing in a copper lantern. It will hang from the portico down over the door. Gray Brick: When we moved in (if you look close in the Before pic, you can see it), the stoop was dark gray. I actually really liked the color against the white. It was just terribly worn! We’ll be painting the stoop, the brick foundation, and the brick chimney dark gray. I think it’ll provide a nice contrast against all of the white and the wooden door. Blue Barn Shutters: Barn-style shutters seem to fit the feel of our house. It’s a bit craftsman and cottagey. So, we’ll be making shutters much like the ones in the picture: several vertical planks with a horizontal strip at top and bottom. These are really simple to make, but I love the style. And blue? I debated and debated on the shutter color. One minute I felt like colored shutters would ruin my lovely neutral picture (white, wood, and gray). The next I was adamant that the house needed the pop! In the end, the pop won. I love that we’re using so much white, but it’s a lot of white. And the shutters aren’t huge, so they can provide a little color in small punches. Hydrangeas: I didn’t include many finishing touches in this mood board. Planters, plants, door mats, and the things that really bring in personality will be figured out later. This is our renovation plan. But I love hydrangeas and they just had to be a part of this board! I said yesterday that we plan to not go crazy with landscaping due to cost, but to add some beds and define the driveway. Hydrangeas will definitely be making an appearance! They’re too lovely and fit a southern cottage so well. So, there is our exterior plan. Chris has already gotten started on this exterior reno and I’ll be sharing a lot of updates in the next few weeks! Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post. I’ll be sharing our new front door and the portico posts! If you haven’t read the rest of Our Renovation Story, make sure you check it out! This is one of the last stops on this cottage renovation! We gutted, moved a kitchen to the garage, and added an addition. You can read all about it and see all of the befores, in progress pics, and afters here.
Deb says June 26, 2014 at 10:25 am I LOVE that hydrangeas had to be included in the mood board. Plants always make something feel more finished. 🙂 Reply
Baileywife @ Irishman Acres says June 26, 2014 at 10:53 am LINDSAY!! I can’t wait to see the AFTER photo….what fun! Love your choices, perfect for that cute little house! ~Kim Reply
Kristin @ bliss-athome.com says June 26, 2014 at 11:14 am It’s going to be sooo great Lindsay 🙂 Reply
Lindsay says June 26, 2014 at 2:50 pm Thanks Kristin! I’m having to reign in my dreamer/designer nature on this one and think small, but big impact hopefully 🙂 Reply
Summer Hogan says June 27, 2014 at 6:59 am I love this plan and can’t wait to see how you transform it. I think the blue shutters will be awesome against the white and gray and the hydrangeas are a must! We have a huge hydrangea bush in our yard and I love that I don’t have to spend $$ to have fresh flowers! They are my fave! 🙂 Reply
Kelly @ View Along the Way says June 30, 2014 at 4:33 pm Oh wow. I LOVE where you’re headed and I’m dying to see! So excited for the warm wood door too. I have a soft spot for wood + white and I know this is going to be absolutely stunning, just like everything you do! Reply
jessica says May 24, 2015 at 10:33 am beautiful! I love a white cottage and am planning to do this same with our lil home. what color did you use? Reply
Lindsay says May 27, 2015 at 8:59 am Jessica, do you mean white paint? Our house was already white vinyl siding. Not my favorite, but too expensive to replace currently 🙂 Reply
Sharon says June 4, 2015 at 8:48 pm where did you find your door? Brand name or is it reclaimed? Reply
Lindsay says June 4, 2015 at 9:39 pm It’s new! We found it at a local discount builder supply store, but I know Home Depot has this exact door! Reply