If you are anything like me, you have many ideas! One of my goals this year is to be more intentional about laying out a path to accomplish my goals. Looking at an unfinished paint project, upon paint project, upon boxes of donate items and kids clothes for storage etc. is something I want to try to tick of the list. I want to be a good starter and finisher! However, I very much am sitting under a ceiling that needs the edges painted to be called complete 🙂 Baby steps.
It is important for me to have grace for myself while we are amidst major building/renovation… but in my heart of hearts, I don’t want to be living in a reno for 5 years. I have phases that I would like to work through until they are complete, before going on to the next thing. Within the addition, we have mini phases… right now we are on shingles- once we have our triple patio door in (which we have ordered and were able to upgrade!) our windows and doors will be complete. We will then be ready for plumbing and electrical. Considering the fact that it is March, by the time our plumbing/electrical is completed, we will be able to work on decks and siding.
I have gone back and forth with siding colors and materials. We definitely want to use Cedar Shakes on the top half, incorporating them into the existing portion of the house as well. I want to do white trim and facia… and really want to go with blue, but have gone back and forth between blue and green. It kind of depends on whether or not we end up trying to salvage the existing cedar siding on the house, which is currently covered by vinyl siding, or if we re-side the entire house. Choice of materials is also difficult for me, because I really do not want to put vinyl siding on the house. While it would be a big job and more maintenance to do a lap style beveled edge cedar, I would personally prefer it… in which case we would go with a soft green because of the narrow reveal of the boards… something like this:
However, if we were to re-side the whole house, I would prefer to go with something wider and blue! I find it to be a classic lakehouse look and feel… however, covering the house in a fiber cement board like hardi plank is a costly investment. Is it something we “need” to do, considering nearly every house around us seems to be covered in vinyl… is it worth the investment to make the upgrade? I know it is something I would prefer, but the money we save on going with a less expensive siding option can definitely be used some where else, although it may be a shortcut that doesn’t last in the long run… decisions decisions!
Neither of these are the exact color we would go with, but they give you and idea of the blue/white/cedar combo…
With this project I have learned that it is very important to understand not only what you “want” but also what you are able to actually afford within your budget. For example, before we started, I was certain I wanted wood windows. I was right, I DO love wood windows, however… the price tag was ridiculous. Vinyl was a good option, and by getting creative and doing a little extra work, we were able to add the grilles I really like, for less. I will be posting a more in depth post about our windows! If we had a limitless budget, I am sure we would make different choices… like maybe hiring other people to build our house! haha. But, at the end of the day, we have learned so much, I have stars in my eyes for my husband- who is an amazing genius in my book, and we are going to have a lovely home that is such a blessing to us, and hopefully others too! We are challenged to do a really good job, not only for our enjoyment, but because it is a reflection of our work and what we leave behind. Our stamp will forever be on this home!
Happy Day, hope you are enjoying some spring weather… I’m still praying for an early spring, because my landscape and garden drawings are over taking my imagination, and our seed packets are ready to be opened!
-Miss Ash