Renovation Diary

source: Shutterstock

 

I've received several emails about our renovation. Well, it was derailed by illness and work. But I'm inching forward. The painters put up samples of interior and exterior paint; I'm searching for outdoor light fixtures and kitchen appliances (wall ovens and a dishwasher).

Haven't decided about the shutters.

I'm tempted to stay with the same color family (SW 7042-7048)

 

One choice is Sherwin William's Anonymous . .

Two shades lighter than the door.

 

 

or

 

SW Intellectual Gray

This would be soft and subtle.

And ... bland? Beautiful?
I don't know.

 

 

Urbane Bronze

 

 

 

The exterior color is "Tennessee Limestone" by Sherwin Williams (Duration).

 

 

My friend Allison (from Attic Mag) suggested that I paint the keystones, which were darker and jutted up like angry eyebrows. The painters got to work, and the house looks so much better!

 

The exterior trim  might be SW's "Creamy"  (high gloss; mainly because semi-gloss seemed dull). 

 

Or

Benjamin Moore's White Dove.
I'm pretty sure I'll pick the latter.

 

 

The door is SW's "Urbane Bronze."

It looks darker at my house for some reason. 

SW Urbane Bronze

The porch's beadboard ceiling will be painted SW's Meander Blue. High gloss will bounce the light.

 



Before:

After:

??????

 

 

Painting the Steps and Wall

 

Here, you can see Urbane Bronze on the front door--it's much darker, isn't it?

 

A remodel always involves nail-biting decisions. My contractor, Mike, asked if I wanted to paint (or not paint) the top layer on the wall.

He suggested leaving the caps (on the brick columns) unpainted.

Hmmm.

As I approached the steps, I saw Mike's dilemma.

The top of the wall runs right into the new herringbone porch.

 See?

Somehow I always seem to get myself into a paint quandry.

Do I paint the top ledge or leave a demarcation line near the herringbone?

You can see the painted wall in the distance. 

 

 

 A closer look.

 

The painters are going to leave the top ledge unpainted until I can make a decision. But I'll probably paint everything and leave a demarcation line somewhere on the porch. 

 

.

 

Here's another look at the porch.

Right now, the trim is a busy little thing, with several shades of white going on. Can't wait for the painters to arrive. 

As for the outdoor fixtures, the wall mounts will go on either side of the front door, and the brick columns beside the steps will get post lights.

 

 

Outdoor Lighting

This won't be easy, either. 

The maximum width of the fixtures must be 13 inches.

I bookmarked a few contenders.

 

I love the rounded glass and elegant simplicity of this Fine Arts fixture.

The light bronze finish might be too light. 

 

 



This wall mount has an aged wrought iron finish,

which may or may not work better with my colors.

It's busy. (Update: Mike says this fixture is too big for the space.)

 

 

 

 

 

This Minka Lavery fixture has style and darker tones.

I have this fixture at my present home, and the finish "weathered" quite a bit, but it still looks nice.

 



Framburg offers several finishes, including pewter, which would work well with the exterior colors; but the

men in the house think the light is too long and narrow.



I just found this one. Lovely!

 

 

The Kitchen

 

 

Problem: The kitchen is dark and a bit claustrophobic.

 



 Solutions: 

(1) Paint the cabinets SW's "Creamy." (And hope the coffee pot doesn't explode, as it did in a previous "creamy" kitchen.)

 

(2) Raise the ceiling just a bit!

 

 I found this inspiration photo (see below) on Pinterest and Houzz, and I started hummmming again.

I love this kitchen.



Source: Houzz. Traditional Kitchen design by New York Interior Designer Anthony Baratta LLC

The layout is similar to mine, which gives a better idea of the finished space. Mike says it won't be that difficult because a storage room is directly above the kitchen.

The barrel ceiling will extend a little beyond the island.

A large, round-top window will add so much light, as will side-lights.

I haven't quite broken the news to Dr. G.
Maybe he'll see this post and love the idea of knocking out the ceiling.
Or maybe not!

I'll post an update when the painters finish.
See you then!

See you Thursday evening for Foodie Friday.