Contest Finalist Earns A Diploma And A Home Exterior Makeover!
The dreams this Hampton, VA resident had for her home had to be put on hold until she completed college. With diploma now in hand we offer her “Congratulations” both on the big accomplishment of completing college AND on being chosen a finalist in the 2015 Shake It Up Color Contest.
Here is what Ms. Delgato told us about her home and the vision she has for a rustic yet chic look befitting a professional woman.
Throughout college I always said I was going to get chickens and renovate the house after graduation. I’m proud to say that I am graduating and ready to do both! Since I already have a pot belly pig, I want to “shake up” my home by going with an urban farm/rustic chic theme. The exterior will be painted barn red with white trim. The old paint would be removed from the porch to allow the wood to show with a stain matching the doors for protection. As you can see the porch door blew off during a storm so I would like to put something more durable up. Therma-Tru’s ⅔ lite 1 panel plank with clear glass would be a sturdy alternative that would go great with the theme. Therma-Tru’s 2 panel plank soft arch front door would be the perfect compliment to that for our front door. I would also use Fypon’s quick rail in white to replace the broken/paint chipped porch railing I have now. To top it off DaVinci Roofscapes makes roofs with a rustic flair. The Multi-Width Shake in Brownstone would add the perfect finishing touch.
Home Exterior Renovation Recommendations
To shake up this adorable home start from the top down. Replace the existing roof with DaVinci Roofscapes Multi-Width Shake in Tahoe. The warm brown is a perfect color choice and the shake profile fits with the vision you have for a rustic look. Not only is it a great fit for your home now but with its 50-year guarantee it will last you through to retirement.
Barn red is another excellent idea. I recommend Benjamin Moore Cottage Red PM-15 as the color to paint your siding. It is a deep, rich red that has historic appeal. Set the red off with Benjamin Moore Cloud White 967.
I would not stain the porch or paint in a contrasting color. Doing so would break up the front of your home and make it look smaller and disjointed. Using a single color on the siding will give your home more curb appeal and increase the perceived value. You can always accent the property by using stained wood on the chicken coop or storage sheds.
Next replace your missing door with a Therma-Tru Fiberglass Classic-Craft Canvas Door CCV205. I considered other styles of door when I saw this one with its lines and curved detail I immediately liked how it gave the entire home the feeling that it was grander than its modest size. Paint the door in a medium tone that matches the roof. Benjamin Moore Gargoyle 1546 or a similar color that blends with your roof will be the perfect color. If you want to have a door with 2/3 lite you could use this on the interior door that leads into your home.
Replace your exiting railing and add a matching one on the other side of the door using Fypon Balustrade System – BTR5X96, BAL2X32SQ.
The jalousie windows have a dated look and are not the best choice for the climate in the Tidewater Virginia area. I recommend replacing the windows so that they are all the same. Replace with double hung windows with grids in the upper sash only. The windows create a “band” that carries your eye across the front of the home. The trim around the windows adds a nice architectural element.
Last you could spruce up the landscaping and cover your walk and steps with pavers similar to the ones shown in the rendering.
I hope these design ideas are ones that will make a recent grad (and her potbelly pig and chickens) proud of their rustic/chic/farm house.