@housetherapy...THANK YOU for an accurate perspective on what really matters in life. I pray for God's comfort for you and your family in your loss.

Housetherapy: Every once in awhile, words of a stranger impact my heart. Thank you.

Housetherapy, condolences on the loss of your uncle. I believe everyone, regardless of experience or education, is free to offer their opinions in a forum where people post questions asking for just that-opinions. Very few of us will achieve perfection in our homes but in the end, all that matters is that we are happy and enjoy our space, regardless of whether it ends up in the pages of Architectural Digest. I love to tour model homes and only in one instance did I walk into a house and not see a thing I would change. The next 10 people behind me might not like anything they see. That's what makes us "us". I certainly hope that whatever you decide to do with your home, you'll let us in on the final results!

dear housetherapy, I am so sorry to hear about your uncle's passing. It is heartbreaking when loved ones actually pass away. You never ever really think it's going to happen. Hugs to you. Hold your memories close and cherish them.

Any updates on your house color?

The greater the number of colours, the less coherent the house becomes. First, establish a dominant line (likely to be horizontal in your course). After that, decide where you want an accent. That might be just the front door, or it might be the door and the living room window. Beware of going overboard. You want to avoid a chopped-up look.

Hey shwshw... thanks for checking in! As I was scraping my house, I came across some dry rot on one of the windows maybe going into the stucco area, so tomorrow I'm having a pest inspection... but - as I have stalled out until this gets taken care of.. yes I do have colors picked out (95% sure)... picked the colors from a book (House Colors from a local gal) and I think it will look good ... the body of the house will be SW Carpenter's Lace (it is no longer produced, but they are able to make it for me)... it is a light kind of sage - but not exactly sage - it's a color that sometimes when I look at it on my patches I adore and sometimes I'm like meh... but I think as it gets larger I will like it... The trim is still up for a bit of debate, but potentially SW Wilmington which is a lightish blue. I am planning on beefing up the porch posts and having them be natural wood, keep the door natural wood, and do a pseudo garage conversion - changing out the garage door with some sort of French like door and building a wood "trellis" around the entrance (sort of like the photo attached)... I think that will help "balance" out the heaviness of the chimney (which I am quite attached to :-))... and give that part of the house some interest (of course I also really like the colors they used on the house in the photo... so never say never :-)).... These are the plans... let's see if I can pull it off!!

potential inspiration for the garage door:

Hope the inspection goes well. I always go with "when in doubt, don't". You will know when you have the right color for you. I will keep an eye out for your final cloice.

I think it's a great idea to "echo" your wooden beams over on the garage. It will give the house a more horizontal sweep, besides making it look more cozy and inviting.

P.S. I like those colors!

The colors sound nice! I just painted my bathroom SW Relaxed Khaki and had the same "meh" thought when the sample was up. But now that the whole thing is done and the color has "settled in", I really like it. I'm sure you will too!

VH: which colors??

The Wilmington and Carpenter's Lace are the colors I was writing about. I looked them up and thought they were nice. In fact, I stopped by Sherwin Williams last night and got a chip for the Wilmington. I might decide to go with it for My house. (My house needs repainting too so I've been on the lookout.) Still deciding though. A factor in Wilmington's favor: the neighbor's house is really close to our house and Wilmington would complement what they've already got.

I'm posting this photo as it might give you another idea (more confusion-lol). See how the trellis is carried over into the porch area which unifies the garage and the house together.
Note, too,how the trellis goes past the house to visually give the house a larger look.

cool idea!

(my inspector gave me a big thumbs down on the color! He said after going through and around my house that I needed to do something fun and not so drab ... oh around and around we go ... he might be onto something)

Is he an inspector or a designer? LOL..

I would recommend a neutral color scheme so that the plants in the yard will show up more. I would suggest a light grey roof, very pale grey or nearly white exterior wall color, and black trim around the windows and doors. I know California has cold spells, so I definitely would keep the fireplace and chimney.

Had a second color consultant last weekend . What a different experience from the first! The colors may surprise many (they do me!) and are very different than I originally imagined, but I think it will be amazing! He also convinced me to have it painted rather than doing it myself so it will actually get done sooner rather than later (hopefully before the rainy season!). I'll keep you all in suspense until it is done as I have closed the book on changing my mind ... Now I can turn my attention to finding an appropriate front porch door replacement, lighting.... Since my space inside and out is small, if anyone has any experience with bifold exterior doors (or trifold), please feel free to share! Hope everyone in storms/fires way are doing well!

Looking forward to seeing your updates!. Thanks for keeping up with your thread :-)

exciting...

How wonderful to hear that you found someone that suggested colors that surprised and amazed you enough to go through with it now. Can't wait to see your house when it is completed. Very exciting indeed :)

Painting in progress ...

Excellent! Can't wait to see what you surprise us with :)

Oh yay!!!!

I just got in on this thread and now you have me on the edge of my seat.....can't wait to see what it looks like after all this!!

Painting is done! Cute as a bug in a rug (IMHO)... I still need to find new light fixtures... and then daylight when I can take photos.... So happy to get my house all protected for the upcoming rainy season! (rains coming tonight!)

Well, photos pleazzzzzzz...

patience! LOL... I'll post this weekend (minus the new lights most likely)... I work LONG days ... dark to dark :-)

Waiting..........

Delighted for you! We're all eagerly awaiting photos! It feels so good to finish a project, doesn't it?!!

hello housetherapy. I've broken many bones and have not been able to see what you were up to but I have wondered what you decided upon. I wait with baited breath! Just to comment, Ted Bixby's version of a cottage with a pergola from the new poles to the garage was super awesome. That house and landscaping was stunning, as I'm sure yours will be too!

can't wait to see!

WHAT!! You are going to make us wait. You tease-lol. I think you look a bit peeked and need to take a sick day tomorrow so you can post photo. LOL. Ok, at least I have something to look forward to this week-end :)

Drum roll please.... ;-)... Spent the day shopping for lights, and may have found a gem... will install a loaner to see tomorrow (shout out Berkeley Lighting Company for letting me bring home lights to try out before I order).... Ok the colors : Benjamin Moore: Body: Stratton Blue; Trim: Blue Note; Door and Ceiling: Stain: Hamilton Blue. Shout out Victor Cohen Stuart for color selection. Ok... first photos are the view from the sidewalk..

Now views from the yard...

I removed the ugly flashing off the chimney... and caulked it with clear caulk.. the roofing that was attached to the chimney will have to stay until I either have money that I just need to burn, or until I have to re-roof... hopefully no time soon.... Never fear you out there that can't see past the garden plantings... I have a consult with a garden designer soon :-)

The next photos show the front porch with the door and ceiling and also the view out my front door with my little cutie Sam...

And finally, a peek through my dining room window looking towards my bedroom window... (shout out to my mom for making the stained glass)

I'm sure that this won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I am in love with it.... I feel so grateful for all of your support and suggestions through this process, and for being lucky enough to find such a fun and talented colorist...

Cheers everyone! Feel free to post your opinions (positive or negative) and any additional ideas....

Housetherapy,

So happy for you!!!

HouseTherapy, The colors are close to what you were wanting in feeling but in more subtle and soothing tones. It is very appealing and the three colors are just perfect. Your stained glass adds charm as well. Are those the very same poles in the front? It's amazing how the right color makes them recede. I'm so happy for you and continued success as you continue nesting! Home is where the Heart is!

Lime Green Door

Quiet, subtle, and classy...your colors are a nice complement to the brick. I think you'll be happy with your choices over the long haul, as these colors should wear well and lend themselves to nearly anything you'll want to do with the landscaping. Congratulations! Your Mom's stained glass work is also a nice addition!

Great color choices. Love the stick man sculpture in the front yard and your Mom's stained glass. So happy for you!

yes, missmewmew58, those are the same posts! After thinking I wanted to beef them up and have a cedar facing, Victor didn't feel that was the right direction and not the style of the house (there are so many bungalows out here with the less than beefy porch posts... I guess it's a thing..)... anyway, I love that they recede into the background, yet are so stunning and strong looking up close.

Shelle12345 - yes, lime green door was the original direction I thought I wanted to go, and I will continue to admire the homes that have the fun bright doors throughout all the neighborhoods out here, but one thing that became clear to me as I worked with Victor, was that I didn't want what I had seen before.. I needed my house, in all of its quirkiness, to be unique - one of a kind... The stain on the door /ceiling was the "piece de resistance" for me - I would never have thought of it, and when he insisted it was the way to go, I had my doubts... but wow! it is stunning! Even going with the dark trim rather than the typical cottage white trim was brilliant... the colors are so striking against each other... In many respects I think it reflects my personality perfectly... subtle quirkiness with class (LOL).

LOL

You're right, it is very soothing -- and your mom's window is wonderful. I think some pink-flowering bushes would be very pretty in the yard. I envy you that your house color is DONE and mine is still just sitting here, peeling away while the snow begins to pile up around it. (Next spring it's my turn!) Thanks for posting the finished picture -- very interesting to see it completed.

Just lovely. I can envision how the garden when done will stand out with your new house colors as its back drop. It will all be serene and beautiful together. Bravo for you that you pushed forward and listened to your gut & heart rather than settling for the 1st colors that were originally presented to you. I look forward to see what light fixture you decide on. Please keep us posted.

On a side note- I had one of my bathrooms painted in BM Hamilton Blue this past week. What a wonderful color and I do like it in a stain, too, now that I see it on your house.

hi housetherapy, I also consider myself subtly quirky, artistic and classy! ; ) I just wanted to add that I see lots of artsy objects in your yard and I think you will have quite an amusing and enjoyable garden next year. I look forward to seeing your progress and I envision that you will have a delightful path to journey through your yard. And I agree with Vicki about pink flowering bushes to really make the house and yard pop even more. Happy Gardening HT!

Here is the light... it is copper which looks sooo cool against the colors (better than the picture shows)... I'm going to paint the electric box to blend with the house, and the ordered light will have a 2 inch shorter stem... I also ran string lights from the other light fixture ... so fun... My landscape consult was a bust, but he gave me names of others that may be able to help me out...

Happy post Thanksgiving!

I love that light fixture...and the string lights make things look happy and cozy. Congratulations!

Love the way all of the lights look! Good combo. The paint colors look wonderful at night, too!

I can just see myself (you, in reality) sitting there on the brick porch at night, looking out at my gardens. You seem to have enough room to create different settings for a diverse spectrum of plants and flowers. I look forward to seeing what you do next. Just follow the red brick road! PS Your dogs are "arf-ully" cute!

I saw your dilemma when you first posted it and followed for awhile, forgot about it, and now skimmed through to see such a fabulous result!!

Great work and I much admire your class and diplomacy ;)

I just read through all the suggestions and comments. I am so happy you made a decision that pleases you. Congratulations and I look forward to seeing your new landscaping!