I live in the city in a row home that up until five years ago was completely abandoned and beyond disgusting. It looked like a haunted house before our contractors got ahold of it! The interior was completely gutted down to the joists and brick and nothing at all was able to be saved. (You can read more about that story here.) So the interior of my house is five years old but the exterior is 100+ years old. There were some repairs that took place to the exterior, but mostly it was just repainted. The picture below shows what it looked like about four years ago.
And here is what it looks like now :(. Sob.
Sometimes chippy paint is NOT a good thing. Yes, it’s pretty bad and it needs to be completely redone the RIGHT way this time.
In addition to peeling paint, we also have these furry little guys to blame for a TON of damage.
Squirrels have chewed through our wood molding and caused $$$ worth of damage.
This week I’ve met with the squirrel exterminator, a carpenter, and a painter. Needless to say it’s going to be a very, very expensive summer, but this is real life. Home ownership isn’t always about DIY projects and beautifully staged photos.
On the bright side, I’m excited to have the house repainted and plan on going in a completely different direction this time. The white, green, and red is lovely, but I’m ready for something more neutral. Right now I’m planning to go with something similar to this beauty below.
So if you’ve been wondering where all of my fabulous DIY projects have gone, I promise more are soon on the way! But right now the exterior of my house is crying (in peeling paint) for help and I’m trying to come to her rescue.
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Oops, see that you did it a few years ago. Couldn’t find the reveal, but I’m sure it came out nice.
BTW The Craftsman Blog is also a good source of information on old house repairs next time something comes along for the exterior.
If your neighbor isn’t painting, I would just keep the brick color. Old brick is really porous and paint can just seal in moisture, which has to go somewhere and can end up popping the layer of paint off eventually, and even freeze and thaw and cause the brick to sprall. Plus it takes a lot of paint to prime and paint brick, and if you think stripping paint off of wood is bad, try scraping brick. Once it is painted, you will be in a cycle of paint and maintence and expense forever. The paint on the porch will last longer because it is protected, but the upper floors will take a beating.
I highly recommend you check out Bob Yapp’s blog for the articles about proper paint prep and about old masonry. Another thing to look for is to make sure any repointing is done with a soft lime-based mortar, not a modern Portland cement one. Preservation Briefs is another good source.
I think the current colors are lovely and suit the house. The red could be swapped out for something more subdued if you like, and then it wouldn’t be a big commitment for your neighbor to match, and the two will complement each other even if they don’t.
Hey! I love the home you are using as your inspiration. I also have this image as my color for the exterior of our home, that’s in the being stages of construction:), have you found a paint color that matches this picture yet? I so would you mind sharing what you went with. Thanks so much and good luck!!!
Yes! You can see what paint I chose in this post if you’d like: http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/paint/row-home-exterior-paint.html
I had no idea that squirrels could do damage! Can’t wait to see your “new” house! 🙂
Your house has good bones, even if her makeup is peeling a bit! I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Jessica
stayathomeista.com
Beth,
So sorry about the damage! Exterior work is always so expensive … which is why I keep postponing my front porch rebuild!
Love the new color palette though!
🙂
Linda
I love your color choices and can’t wait to see your finished project.
My mom lives in an older home and has a terrible time with squirrels. Those little critters can cause big problems.
The colours you have chosen to paint the house look lovely looking forward to seeing it finished, hope they sort out the squirrels, little cute furry pests.
My Mother in law has heaps in there garden as they love her conker tree it drives her to dispair.
I’m liking the neutral color palette – so clean looking!
Oooooo! I’m super excited about the new color scheme! I think it will turn out stunning! I can already picture in my mind how new bright,hanging flower baskets or ferns will look!
Love the new colors you are choosing for the exterior. It will be beautiful – can’t wait to see the photos when it’s done.
So much charm! I can’t wait to see it all painted and beautified 🙂
XO
Kristin
Forgot to add, my old house was a twin too. Are your attached neighbors painting?
I chose the colors for them when I helped renovate their home (before they bought it) and I’ve always liked the fact that we match. However, their home isn’t in need of repainting yet. When the time comes perhaps they’ll choose to match us again. I am soooo praying that the paint lasts this time. I’m using Sherwin Williams Adhesion primer and then paint so hopefully it will last at least 8-10 yrs but I might just be wishful thinking. I AM paying extra for a guarantee of 10yrs so at least I won’t have to do the repainting myself. #scaredofheightsonladders
It’s going to be so pretty when it’s done. I really like the new colors you chose. Your neighbors will be inspired!
For 14 yrs we lived in a pretty stone house that was built in 1802 and I remember painting the porch again and again….always had chipping paint 🙁
Love the colors your looking at using!
Are you planning on painting the brick? We just found out we need to completely replace the flat roof on the side of our house. Between that, the new dishwasher, and Dave’s four new tires, we’ve pretty much kissed any hope of a vacation this year goodbye. Good thing we love our house – we’re going to be spending a LOT of time in it… :\
The brick on the porch is already painted so yes, I’m going to just paint the entire front brick on the house. It’s sooooo expensive so I’ll keep the brick exposed on the side of the house. And yes, we’re going to be spending a ton of money on the exterior this year but hopefully once it’s done it will hold for another decade. HOPE being the keyword here :).
Love the lighter color scheme, it will be stunning. Hugs, Marty
Oh Beth, I understand. We have had to spend so much money on boring “real life” home repairs and maintenance. It really cuts into the make it pretty budget! We never had squirrels, but we had Raccoon in our walls once and they were not cute at 3am. My hubby and I just started making our Summer to-do list, and painting the house is on it. We did the smaller cottage last Summer, and this year, it’s our house. I love the colors your’re leaning towards. That is beautiful! Look forward to seeing it done =)
Thank you Shannon! Real life repairs are so not fun :). But I am looking forward to a fresh exterior. Right now it’s just embarrassing.
LOVE the colour! We have just lost all of our teak outside furniture to those glorified rats. Can’t wait to see when you are done C:
Oh no! How heart breaking :(. I’m an animal lover at heart, but I’ve admittedly thought very evil thoughts towards these furry beasts over the past few months. Praying that after we fix everything they won’t just destroy it all again!
I love this colonial style home, beautiful, I envy you
I think it will do wonders pearl gray on the front side, highlighting the old and the beauty of the house, I can not wait to see the changes