Kathy's Red Brick

Yesterday my friend Michelle and I ran the MORE magazine NYC half marathon.  A lot of friends knew I was doing a race this weekend and wondering if it was Boston.  My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the people at the Boston Marathon today.  We like to travel to different races and it is certainly a tragedy that is close to my heart.  I tear up every time I think about it. 

On a lighter note- on to Kathy's brick.

Hi Christine,

Here is a picture of the house.  It is about 15 years old and is one of the older homes in the neighborhood. Most are done with cedar shakes and stone and much more in the Craftsman style.  I feel that the house is fairly plain and the brick front portion really sticks out.  The brick is a more rusty red and is really very pretty looking out from the front door and is pretty brick - just needs something, architecturally.  What I was thinking is that I would paint the house SW 7507 - Stone Lion, possibly, and the trim SW 7506 Loggia.  I would like to do wider shutters (so they look like they would cover the windows when closed) in board and batten and use hinges and shutter dogs.  I was thinking about painting the shutters SW 7515 Homestead Brown.  I am somewhat confident about the above choices but after that am really stuck.

I have considered wrapping the columns on the front porch in a brown stained cedar to make them beefier to try to keep the porch from being dwarfed by the brick area and make it look more like one area.  Also considered adding a second column on each side to give more bulk but not sure what color to paint them to make them work.  I have also considered painting the brick but that would involve painting the brick on the lower part all the way around the house and painted brick will not look as good looking out the front door.  That is really my last choice if I can't figure out how to make it work, otherwise.  I want to change out the front door and sidelights in a wood door and also the garage door to a carriage house style but am not sure if it should be painted or stained.  We are also adding stone to our back patio with Oklahoma Fieldstone which matches a fireplace and is used quite often in our community.  I could replace the front steps with the same stone and make them go all the way across instead of just right in the step area.  The landscaping will all be changed pretty soon in the future.  The roof color is Weathered Wood.

As you can see, I have lots of ideas - maybe too many.  I would appreciate any help you could give me.

Thanks so much for considering my project.

Hi Kathy,

I like to maintain consistency in my neutrals when determining a color palette.  My concern with your ideas is that I am hearing about a lot of brown, and you have a charcoal roof.  I would not go in the brown direction with your roof, unless I am totally seeing it wrong, and it is dominantly brown.  

I don't see much room for enhancement in your columns.  I think you will run into the house if you try to make them larger, but if you do have room, larger would be nicer.  I also think that you might not have room to nicely add two more columns.  I think maybe you would need a wider space to pull that off. 

I like the idea of larger shutters and new garage doors and a front door; it will add a lot.  Remember consistency in your neutrals.  If you start with cool tones, stay with it, even in your wood stains.

I know you said that painting the brick is a last priority- but it is actually what will make the most difference.

In last month's Southern Living magazine, there is the perfect article for you.  There is a before and after of a lovely Georgian home, where the homeowner clearly was not loving the red brick.They did a lime wash on it, which, (get better instructions than these, please)- you take white paint, water it down and add sand and paint your brick.  (most likely sprayed)  You can keep your black shutters to tie in your roof and door, OR- go all lighter like the after photo below.  Either would really look nice in my opinion. 

This kind of subtlety and a talented landscape architect would make your home a showplace.  In your case, I would say that some significant landscaping would make an enourmouse difference in your curb appeal.  Watch out for the jealous neighbors. 

Thanks,

Christine

Don't forget the next webinar is tomorrow,  Tuesday, 1pm Pacific time.  It is on wall decor- everything wall decor from A to Z. 

To paint or white wash...

Hi Christine,

 

I ran across your blog trying to find colors to paint or whitewash our really red brick home. It's been remodeled and added on to, and the new brick just doesn't match up to the original 60 year old brick. We're thinking about also adding a larger front porch soon (maybe a  Craftsman style-any ideas??) and I need to decide what to do about the color(s) of our home, siding, and trim. I love the look of whitewashed brick, but I'm not sure if we should paint it, whitewash it, or leave it alone. We live in Charleston, SC, and I'm going for a coastal cottage look. I'm attaching two pictures of whitewash that I really like. Thanks-you're AWESOME!

- Jennifer

Hi Jennifer-

I found some white washed brick homes- I would be careful to make sure it is done well.  Can you tell that the first photo is not as good a job as the second two photos?

This one above looks really bad to me- however- I love...

 this one and

this one. I like the classic black shutters and white trim.  White wash trim, like the home above, is equally as beautiful, but with your black roof, I would go white. 

I also included some painted homes.  My personal preference would be the white wash- and it will also be much lower maintenance. 

As far as the porch goes- no don't go Craftsman.  Why?  You don't have a Craftsman home.  There is a home near me that is Victorian, and the new owner tried to make it look Tuscan.  It looks ridiculous.  Be true to your architecture.  (Unless you plan to completely change the roof line of your home....)

Your house is a Cape Cod.  Adding a porch, it should look something like the home above.  (Which would also require a new roof line...)

You could have it come out at an angle like the one above- perhaps that would be less intrusive.  The home above does use a more Craftsman style column, maybe you could pull it off...  I don't know- I still don't think your brick looks Craftsman to me...

You could have a nice set of steps coming up to your porch- such a charming look. 

So- what does everyone think- should Jennifer white wash, paint her brick or leave it alone? Do you think she can do a Craftsman style columned porch with her home?