Wednesday, October 3, 2012

I need your help!

I've lived in my little cottage in the woods for two years now and I've been so busy nesting inside that I've basically neglected the outside.  It's time to make some changes and improvements that are much needed.

Here's where you come in.

I can't decide what color to paint my shutters!!

I need to add shutters to the double windows on the left side of the house.  But I also need to finalize a palette for the outside.  We contemplated painting the whole exterior a new color.  But I rather like my slate blue for now.


I'm thinking black shutters.  Maybe a black door.  It's turquoise now.  And bright white trim.  And I definitely need a new front door.  I hate hate hate the builders grade thing that's there now.  At least it's no longer peach... 

I like how it's looking here.  Add a few hydrangea bushes (luckily and sadly they are the only flowering bush that does well in all of my shade).

But I'm not an exterior designer or a landscape artist.  So I need YOUR help.  I know many of you have the magic touch outdoors!

Thoughts?  Help!

-Bethany


If you are looking for help with your home, we'd love to work with you! Contact us for a listing of our services and prices. Nancy and Bethany

16 comments:

  1. What a precious cottage!!! I think you are on the right track. However that color looks like eggplant? and I really like it. black is always a good choice and they say..paint your front door your favorite color no matter what it is..because it's the first thing you see when you enter your place of refuge.

    Can't wait to see...you are talented and it will be darling!!!

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    1. Oh No! I wonder if my screen is showing it as black but it really is eggplant? Whoops. Meant to put on black shutters and front door.

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  2. Yes Bethany, it looks eggplant to me too. It is an adorable house and I am all about black shutters. My husband just painted over our pine green shutters in black. I think a sassy colored front door would be perfect.

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  3. OK, I am going to give you so much more than you asked. Sorry, in my mind, I am an architect and a landscape designer. First, you need to cut down that tree in front of your window. Sorry tree huggers...I love nature, but this is bad for your house. Trees close to homes trap in moisture, drop leaves and prevent good air circulation in attics, etc. Go to This Old House to verify. Next...boy are you going to hate me...shutters should be a different color than the door. The front door should be its own welcoming color. Add thicker columns to your portico. Paint all the trim white, and finally...window boxes on the two windows on the right. Love ya!!

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    1. THANK YOU Linda :) The tree needs to come down, you are correct. I have gotten several quotes.

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    2. Lind, I am loving and "seeing " your plan unfold!!! You truly are a great architect and landscape designer! Lucky Bethany! :-)

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  4. I think definitely black shutters, and I like the black door, but a bright color for the door would be so fun and inviting! Maybe yellow or red?

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  5. I love the look of what you have here. I wish I knew more about landscaping, etc., but I need in help in that area myself. I think you're well on your way!

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  6. What a darling house! I would go with a charcoal gray shutter and deep mustard front door. I would also consider painting the trim around the peaked roof areas in the same charcoal gray. Try some orange and yellow mums around the base of that big ole' tree and you have a timeless and tasteful color palette that will go well with your slate blue. Look forward to seeing what you decide.

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  7. I love your cottage! I'm voting black shutters and maybe a brighter door. Coral maybe ? I'd have to have a better idea of the true nature of the slate colour of your house to say for sure.

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  8. Reading through the suggestions I really like Diane's suggestions. I would definitely avoid white trim and like her idea of keeping the trim color close to the house color.

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  9. What a darling cottage and fun starting point for upping the charm factor! I am with Linda with regard to the door being a different color than the shutters and the beefier columns. ANd since she is the landscape architect, I'll defer regarding the tree!!!!

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  10. So charming, Bethany!! Agreed with black shutters, and beefier columns. And, since we're giving our two cents...not sure if it is just the photo, but I can't tell where your sidewalk/path to the front door is, I think it would add a lot if it were highlighted a bit with edging or repetitive plantings... maybe it's there. :)

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  11. What an adorable home! I have experience with exteriors, but the flowers you added in work wonders and I like Cathy's idea above. Good luck and have fun! Janell

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  12. I saw your cottage and instantly thought to myself, I should move to a cottage in the woods. I think the black shutters would look nice but I am not a lover of black front doors. Something that would pop out would be nice. As far as the white trim, I live surrounded by trees in the south and I do not know if it is the woodland setting or the humidity, but my house and windows are always very dirty. Not sure where you are and if you would have the same issue with the white. Good luck.

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