Front door statements...

photo: Dave Foster

What colour is your front door and what does it say about you? Do you love the colour, or have you never really given it much thought? Perhaps you haven't painted it yet, leaving it the factory finish it came with, or purchased the home and have never personalized the shade to suit your taste.

Well, we've all heard the theory that exterior accent colours are like mascara and lipstick for our homes. Well, it is true, even though a bit cliche. Colour is, however, one of the easiest ways to add curb appeal to our homes and, luckily, the least expensive way. Some homeowners go the safe route and paint their front door a colour that blends in with their siding colour. They prefer the less is more route, and are quite confident that visitors will be astute enough to find their way to the right door.

photo: landstil.com

Others opt to swath their door with a more vibrant shade of colour. They want their door to stand out, POP if you will, and love the welcoming jolt of colour and unexpected surprise such a choice provides. My own father insists that every white house should have a black roof and a red door...no wishy-washy statements for him. Now, no one would ever dub hime the decorating sort, but to him a red door symbolizes welcome, much like the esteemed pineapple...or welcome mat.

photo: www.countryliving.com

For me, I have no hard and fast rules. I do know, however, that the right paint colour on exterior doors and trims does a house proud. It entails striking the right balance of colour and restraint...a decision that is not always immediate. Another rule of thumb I go by is to be very careful selecting the garage door colour. If you have a red door, perhaps a red garage door is not the colour direction that will best suit your home. Enlist the opinion of friends with good taste, try out the handy computer programs that enable you to "visualize" the colour choices before you paint, and/or seek out the opinion of a professional...be it a painter or decorator/designer. Personally, I think that if you are simply painting a front door, you can glean plenty of savvy assistance simply by driving around other neighbourhoods and taking note of what you like (and maybe even snapping some photos?), and combing through decor magazines for design inspiration.

Keep in mind, it is only paint; it doesn't have to be permanent. That said, if you are 100% certain you are happy with your colour selection, taking your doors to an auto detailer to professionally spray them will be some of the best money you will ever spend. Not only will you get a durable surface in any sheen you desire, but you won't have to do it yourself!!

Making Progress...

I was chatting with my sister yesterday, and we were discussing my "dreaded project", my kitchen table. I was telling her I had painted, no, primed one chair. I spray painted it with Bin spray primer and it transformed the chair! I just needed to sand it a little, spray paint it a colour and finito! That was 10 days ago... it is still sitting in my garage, primed but otherwise untouched.

I am a one day makeover kind of a gal. I like to take on personal home projects that can be completed in a day. That is why I have procrastinated with my table and chairs for the last five years! I know they are a week long project, and that is if the weather cooperates. Which it hasn't...! I am working on a kitchen reno project with a client and she is getting very discouraged with the pace of all the trades people. I totally get it!! I wish I could wave a magic wand and POOF, it would be completed and she could begin using her beautiful new kitchen. I hate to wait. That is why in my own home, I restrict the number of big jobs taken on. Of course, I guess you could consider building a house a big job!!

We are making progress with our lanscaping. The pool deck is now ~65% complete. We still have some more closing in to do, an angle has to be removed from the original deck so you can get around the pool without taking your head off, and the lattice work has to be installed. I am loving it though. It is like our own little private sanctuary and I can't wait to sit, no , lounge by the pool, sipping Diet Coke, hearing the happy noises coming from my kids and... oops, I am daydreaming again. It will definitely be great, but I had better throw in some whining and fighting and the always popular, "I know I just got in the pool and I know I'm soaking, dripping wet, but I just have to go pee!!" I have to be realistic and all!

Last night we actually completed a project that took just one evening!! What a feeling of satisfaction. We needed skirting of sorts around our front porch and since I love stone but can't afford the real thing and the exhorbitant labour costs that go along with it, I found a great vinyl product that looks like stacked stone. I'm sure all you purists out there are rolling your eyes, but if I do say so myself, it looks really good. I like it so much better than lattice and Paul did a great job installing it in just a few hours. He's such a good hubby, he seems to be able to wrap his head around any project and I am a lucky girl. Of course he's lucky, too!!! LOL Here are the before and after shots.

I am so inspired that today, I am heading out to get some flowers and shrubs to plant in the bed in front of my "stone" and I will be happily planting later today. I wonder if Paul would notice if I skipped the peat moss, manure part of it and just did the fun stuff...I'd better not, considering I can probably count that operation as a one day kind of a project!! Happy gardening!

Random thoughts...

Someone asked me the other day how I was able to come up with daily topics to write about. I told them that although it can be hard at times, I am blessed (or cursed) with a head full of random thoughts. I think all the time and therefore my memory is bad. I truly think it is because I am a creative person that my brain never sleeps. I notice details in everything (which can make driving hazardous), and when I go past a house I am looking at the little things more than the big picture. What is the lighting like, what colour flowers have they used in the garden, what is their door knocker like? See?! Random thoughts pinging around in my brain.

The other day, I went to a local second-hand store where you can find great vintage stuff, although at a somewhat inflated price. I could feel my eyes scanning everything and burning things into my brain so I could go back for a second look. Shopping that way is almost tiring. Normally, in somewhere like a small decor shop, I can "quick scan" and decide on the spot if it is worthy of an in-depth perusal. Larger spots like Winners deserve an aisle by aisle shopping experience as, again, I am searching for my wish list items (some of which I don't even know I want).


On my trip yesterday to this second-hand store, I scored one of the top-ten things I have been looking for over the years: a vintage tricycle with a wooden seat. It is drop-dead adorable and is mine...all mine!!! Have a look...isn't it lovely?!?

I thought I'd leave you with some of the random decorating tips floating around in my head. They are my tips, not for everyone, and certainly not set in stone. I like tips...not rules...

1. When decorating a room and you have everything looking perfect, throw one imperfect item into the mix to make it feel like home. Perfection is boring...and intimidating. For example, I love this lamp. I'm not sure where I found this picture but to the person who owns it, you are a decorating genius!

2. Adding a little bit of black to a room is like throwing on a little black dress. Classy, understated, and always acceptable.

3. Always consider curb appeal. Approach your home like a potential buyer. There has to be something to lure you inside. Do sweat the small stuff...mailboxes, house numbers, door mats, light fixtures, flowers, a little spot to sit...

4. Don't overload on wood. Great wood is beautiful, but especially in a kitchen, look for ways to lighten things up a bit. Curtains, flooring, dishes, lighting...too much darkness will eventually depress you. Don't be afraid to paint wood. If it is bringing you down, lighten it up. Just because it is wood, doesn't mean it is beautiful. Painting wood trim and wainscoting can lift your home to new heights. Do it ...honestly, you'll love it!

5. Accessorize! Great decor can go a long way in distracting people from the downfalls in a room. Just don't clutter up the space. If you think you're done, stand back and remove one thing...unless you're a minimalist of course...

6. Although they keep saying wallpaper is coming back, I really don't believe them. It's not that there aren't some beautiful papers out there, it's just that I don't want to strip walls when they change their minds!

7. Always create a place in your garden for YOU. Bring out a chair and small table and place it under a shade tree. Plunk yourself down whenever you can and enjoy a cup of coffee and something good to read. What good is your home, if you never enjoy it?

8. Don't aim for magazine perfection. It is too hard to maintain and you will waste your life cleaning, plumping and sweeping, when really, your life is all around you. Your husband, kids, friends, will thank you for it.

9. Don't think because you don't have oodles of money, you can't have a pretty home. When I was a nursing student, I decorated the shabbiest of apartments with flea market finds, cast-offs, and paint. My landlord was so impressed, he left a pretty hanging flower basket for me outside my back door. Use your creativity and reinvent what you have or can find, that is within your budget. Someone will always have bigger and better than you, but I believe more talent is needed and shown when you are making do and putting your heart into your decorating. Anyone can copy a room out of a magazine...

10. Do see my tag line at the bottom of my blog page. I mean that with all my heart. It is always better to appreciate what you have than to pine for what you don't.

...Do you see why my memory is affected by all these thoughts floating around my head?

***...A funny note about the word random. My eldest son has always had a habit of mispronouncing or misusing words. Well, he has taken to saying, "That's so random" and throwing random in where it has no connection to what he is talking about. So now, whenever I hear the word, I chuckle to myself at his innocence. My word garbler lives on!!!!***

Outdoor water features

Another (yes another) thing on my outdoor wish list is a little garden pond. You know the type...small, encircled with lots of stone, goldfish swimming within, a little fountain giving it just the right amount of authenticity...so pretty. My friend Janet has one, and although I have yet to sit and enjoy it, I certainly plan to!! I can just picture us...blissfully sipping our diet Cokes while the kids play in her pool and then...SPLASH...yeah, yeah, I'm daydreaming again!! Anyway, because I can't find the room in my yard to have one (and with town bylaws I'd probably need a 5 ft fence around it!!), I will just have to enjoy other people's.

Determined to incorporate a water feature of my own, I purchased a wall fountain for my deck. It is just the right size and after plugging it in...voila...perfectly trickling water. Well, maybe a little too strong a trickle. I get the feeling it will be triggering too many trips to the bathroom if we're sitting out with friends drinking some summer cocktails... Oh well, that's better than seeing one of my cats with a poor little goldfish hanging from its mouth! See how life gets in the way of decorating perfection? A perfect example of reality vs. fantasy!! I say, if you want a low maintenance/low-cost water feature, try a nice birdbath. Not only will you be adding some interest to your garden, but you will also be providing a lovely spot for the birds in your yard to cool off.

I will leave you with some wonderful examples of outdoor water features you can aspire to, or like me, just continue to dream of. Besides, living just 15 minutes from one of the most beautiful beaches in Atlantic Canada, I have absolutely nothing to complain about!!!

Unfinished Business...

Well, here are some before photos of all the outdoor projects we have under way. The only problem is...there are no after photos yet. We still have lots to do before those can be taken and the weather and our schedules are not cooperating. Paul has made more progress than this photo shows - the floor of the deck is now complete and he is starting on the walls. I want the pool area to be good and private so we can pretend we are not within spitting distance of our neighbours!! The kids decided they could wait no longer and decided to have their very own "polar dip"...the water temperature was about 60 degrees, so needless to say, their dip was very brief!!

Sophie and I are tackling the flower beds but that, too, is slow going. I want to plant with the future in mind and I want it to look "cottagey"...I don't want anything looking too perfectly planned or cookie-cutter. I'll post some pictures of the progress we have made as soon as I get my mulch.

I hope you all are enjoying better weather than we are. It is still basically quite cold and rainy here. There haven't been too many occasions where the kids have had to wear shorts. It's looking like another short Maritime summer...Happy landscaping!!

Making an Entrance!!

I love doors and I think the color of a front door is one of the most important exterior decorating decisions, aside from siding and shingle color. I love a door that draws my eyes to it as I drive by. Now that doesn't mean the colour has to be vibrant! In fact, the colour of your front door should make sense....whether it be a contrasting colour or blend in tone with the rest of the outside of the home.

Iam a bit quirky. Every house but my first has been a shade of yellow. Don't ask me why, it is just something I have to do to feel at home. I love a yellow house! To me, yellow siding evokes a farmhouse feel, is fresh and pretty, and makes me smile when I see one. That said, door color can be challenging when you have a yellow house. Navy, burgundy, and dark green do not reflect my personal style as I am drawn towards the softer shades for my own home. Thus, I have had cream, taupe, black, and back again to taupe, doors. These colours complimented the particular shades of yellow siding I have used on my homes. They were colours I selected to work with the trims and accents I decorated the exterior of my homes with. That brings me to garage doors. There is a general rule that you should not match the colour of your garage door to the colour of your front door if it is a strong colour. I am not normally too fixated on rules but this is a rule I whole-heartedly agree with! I believe a garage should blend into the background, especially if you have one of those great, carriage-style garage doors that have enough style without drowning in colour.

I have addressed the importance of lighting before. Again, step away from the common and select lighting that speaks to your style and complements the style of your home. If you live near the water, try exterior lights that have a "Nantucket" feel. If your home is traditional, select similar lighting- traditional, but not boring! Craftsman-style lighting looks great with bungalows and houses that have reflect the Arts and Crafts style. Hanging lanterns look beautiful on homes with front porches or porticos. Go for the wow factor out front and to stay on budget, use lighting that is more subdued (and cheaper) out back,

Mailboxes are another "new" exterior feature that you can have fun selecting. Vintage styles can now be found in stores or you can make your own out of wood (or purchase it ready-made) and embellish it the way you like. Select house numbers to match the finish on your door handle and your home will ooze style! Have fun with selecting these exterior finishes. you may not think they are important, but trust me, when you see the end result, you will be proud!

Curb appeal...building it piece by piece.

You hear it all the time, there are shows about it on HGTV and it is the new buzz word for homeowners, home sellers, and realtors. Not only is it vital when selling your home, but it is the least you can do for your home. Just like in life, first impressions do count.

I remember my sister, Wendy, saying that when you pull up to your home you should feel happy. Happy to be home and happy to see your home- similar to the feeling you get when your kids come in the door from school or your spouse gets home from work. This doesn't mean you have to have a mansion or a perfectly groomed home. Perfection is in the eye of the beholder. We should love our homes; but again in the same way we appreciate clean faces on our kids or a nice new shirt on our hubbies, the importance of taking care of our homes appearance is clear. Spring is a great time to take a good, long look at our home and see if it needs a good wash behind the ears, so to speak! Every time I walk up to my front door lately, I am reminded that I need to wash down the siding. It is covered in a season's worth of road and construction grime and it needs some loving care to show off the creamy color that I am so fond of. I have nail holes on the window trim that need filling, and the windows need a good cleaning, too.

When I look at the front of my home, I am glad that I took the time to pick out lights that I love, a mailbox that I splurged on a bit, and my beloved porch swing. These are all necessary features (o.k. I might be pushing it a bit with the swing) but they make me happy to be home. That is when I know that I have paid the proper attention to the exterior of my house. Things like shutters (often referred to as mascara for windows), an inviting front door colour and mat, planters or window boxes with pretty, abundant flowers are all things a homeowner can do to improve the curb appeal of their home. Taking note of the need for paint touch-ups, weeding of flower beds, replacing burnt out bulbs in exterior lights are cheap, easy fixes and add up to style and perhaps even that happy feeling to aim for when you pull into your driveway!

To be continued...next time, I will discuss picking front door colours, exterior lighting and that perfect mailbox!

For the love of Lighting

Ikea
Canadian Tire




Some people just don't notice lighting. At least that's what one might be led to believe if you drive past the homes in a new subdivision. House after house has outdoor lights that you know the builder has picked because that is what they have always picked. I am not one of those people. When I drive past a house I instantly search for the lights. If I see spectacular lights, it tells me a lot about the homeowners. I just know their home inside will be good. I'm not always right, but in general this theory works.
I take a lot of time selecting my lights. In fact, I draw up a lighting plan for every home I live in. You've heard the saying, "lighting is the jewellry of a home." How true that is. I have discovered that you don't have to spend a ton of money on your lighting to have it be special. I have only shopped at a U.S. source for lighting once and although the place I shopped from had truly spectacular lights, the price was exhorbitant!! I get most of my lighting at Kent, Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, HomeSense, and our local building supply store. I have found beautiful chandeliers, outdoor lights, schoolhouse lights, wall sconces, you name it. I believe in using grander lighting in unexpected places, using outdoor lanterns in foyers, and even as wall sconces.
My absolute favorite light fixture that I have is a glass star pendant which hangs pride of place above my staircase. I bought it specifically to hang in front of the window looking out onto my front porch. It makes me happy when I look at it and sometimes people slow down as they drive by to look at "the star." I laugh when those people drive by... they must be lovers of lighting- like me!!