Designing the Exterior of a Designer's Own Home
I can't wait to feel the freshness and newness of it all! It’s a feeling I’ve been longing for. This week’s episode of our home renovation journey hits really close to home—literally.
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The Dream House We Saw Beyond the Neglect
My husband and I bought this house eight years ago, and almost everyone thought we were crazy for it. But we had a vision. We knew that despite the neglect, this house could transform into our dream home.
Now, eight years later, we’re finally in the last stretch of completing that vision. The last thing on our list is something we’ve been waiting for forever: painting the house and finishing the front porch. It's like putting the final bow on the first chapter of our lives here.
In just one week, we’re going to do it all—porch, paint, and landscaping.
Deciding on the Design
It's taken me forever to figure out exactly what I wanted for the outside of the house. The truth is, I love every design style imaginable, from modern to traditional to eclectic, and each has something I want in my home.
Figuring out what truly represented "me" was tough! But finally, after all these years, I think I’ve got it nailed down.
And now, we’re ready to put that plan into action.
Step One: Out With the Old
The first step is removing the old, rotting front porch.
While Thomas and the kids got started on that, my friend Melanie stopped by to check out our huge assortment of plants and flowers for the landscaping project.
Honestly, I love the color scheme we’ve chosen—chartreuse paired with purple and lavender. It’s so soothing.
Melanie, who is also a landscape designer, has been a close friend for years. She has this amazing eclectic style, and her expertise in container plants is just what I needed.
Trusting Another Eye
When I asked Melanie to assist, it felt strange at first—I'm used to designing my own home! But sometimes, even as a homeowner, you need someone else’s objective opinion. I knew I needed a fresh set of eyes to bounce ideas off.
For example, I wasn’t sure about removing the trellis, but Melanie thought it made sense to open up the space. So, I trusted her judgment. We took it down, and I’m so glad we did! The area feels more open now, and that trellis was doing nothing but chopping up the space.
Functionality is Key
One thing I always focus on is making sure everything in the house functions well for kids and our dog. High functionality is key! With Melanie’s help, I also learned the importance of fabulous container plants—paired with something as simple as pine straw, it can transform a space.
I handed over the container plants to Melanie. That's her thing. It’s therapeutic for both of us.
Before Melanie left, she showed me some containers she had picked out. I loved them! But we both agreed we needed something bigger—a "Big Daddy" pot, as we called it. I added that to my list. But as much as I loved chatting with Melanie, I was eager to get back to work on the porch.
DIY Skills and Family Involvement
Lucky for me, I have a husband who’s picked up all sorts of DIY skills over the years. We’ve learned a lot just by working on this house—watching YouTube videos, reading books, and figuring things out as we went along. After eight years of constant home improvement, we’ve both gotten pretty good at it!
The kids have grown up in this environment, too. They’ve been involved in every demo and cleanup, learning valuable skills along the way, just like their parents.
Figuring Out the Stain
With the porch construction looking great, I needed to figure out the color for the stain.
I came across a technique online that mixes coffee and vinegar with steel wool to give wood that warm, weathered look. I wasn’t sure it would work, but I decided to try it anyway.
Thomas suggested I test it on a scrap piece of wood first, and I’m glad I did. The result was exactly what I wanted! The Internet came through for me this time.
Choosing Paint Colors
Next, it was time to decide on the paint colors for the front of the house. I went with a cream color for most of the house, a darker blue for the door, and a light trim color for the windows.
I was thrilled with my choices, even if Thomas didn’t seem too concerned about the specifics!
Getting to Work
With the colors chosen, it was time to get to work. The hardest part—the prep work—was behind us, so I was optimistic about getting everything painted in two days.
The best part of every DIY project? A new tool! Thomas couldn’t have been more excited about trying out the sprayer.
Eight Years of Growth
When we first moved into this house, we had a one-year-old and a baby on the way. Since then, we’ve had two more kids, and managing a full home renovation while raising small children hasn’t been easy. But it’s been worth it.
Our skills have grown along with our family. I’ve honed my design skills, and Thomas has mastered construction. We’re wrapping up this eight-year journey with our best work yet.
Almost There
The porch is finished, the paint is done, and our landscape plan is in place. It’s all finally coming together. But we’re not quite there yet— check out the next update to see the finished product!
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