Sunday, October 21, 2012

Overhang and Front Step Complete! + Chimney and Fireplace Planning!

Well today has been very interesting! I was supposed to go to a concert with my friend, but it was canceled... then I was going to do a photo shoot and that didn't work out... so I was happily back to work on my house!

I started off my painting the front step and adding a gloss to it. I noticed that the excess grout mixture was easier to wipe off of the tops of the bricks if they had been sealed beforehand.



Then I added the crackled pattern on to my trellis overhang and also to the top portions of my columns! ( Is "trellis" the right word to call this thing?) I was going to leave it black, but it was a little too heavy looking and that would have defeated the purpose of having it. I think once I add some vines or hanging flowers over it, it will look really nice :) Which reminds me! Anyone have any suggestions for flowers?


Here is what the whole thing looks like put together. I am really happy with it :) I think I am going to go back with some different colored washes over the sides of the house to make the door pop a little more, and also to make the walls look more aged.


The next thing I need to work on for the outside of the house is the trim- I just have to gather up enough egg cartons for it first. It will probably take about the same amount I used for the foundation and porch.


Here are some more views of the overhang. You can also see where I have my house sitting. I need a board to set the whole thing on so that it is easier to move. That would also mean I can do some landscaping! Not much... just a small patch of grass or flowers.




And here is a closeup of the front step! The means I am done with all of the brickwork on the front porch! I am VERY happy with all of the brick-work! I know for sure that when I do another project I will try my hardest to incorporate bricks! Haha!


Oh! I cannot remember if I showed you guys this. This is the door I want to use for the attic. I want this house to feel open and comforting, and... timeless. A place I would want to live the rest of my days! For this door I want to make the large window stained glass! I then want to incorporate a coordinating stained glass pattern for all of the windows throughout the house.


Okay... I had to! I gathered up some of my pumpkins and sat them on the front stair! Ahhh! This is what I have been waiting for!


Yepp... :) I can die happy now. Haha! Well... not just yet. There are other things to work on!


Now to the hard part. Well, the hard part for me. As you can see with my drawing on this next picture, I want to build the chimney on the right side of the house. There will be a fireplace on the bottom floor and then the chimney will work it's way through the other floors. I figure this would be a nice way to tie in the brick element with the inside of the house.

If you look on the left of this image, you will also see some stairs. (Yes, those are stairs. Haha!) I thought that it would work nicely to build the stairs in that awkward part of the house, because it is out of the way and the stairs could spiral up to the attic! On any exposed sides of the stairs, I wanted to install shelves. That would make for great fun! Books, knick-knacks, antiques, art, and whatever else I fancy!


And here is a little color pallet that I made for the living area. I thought the green was a very nice and peaceful color that went along with the tan bricks. (Yes, more bricks!) I was also thinking a dark hardwood with a white decorative ceiling tile.

Your opinions are always welcome and appreciated! Are the stairs and chimney a good idea? It's not that I can't think by myself, just that your opinions matter to me!

Thanks, as always, for stopping by!
-xo
Blake

11 comments:

  1. Hi Blake! Enjoyed reading your blog today. You have been busy. The brickwork is very attractive, and your overhanging will be most stunning once you get some greenery "growing." I'm not a plant person, so I can't give you advice as to what kinds of plants and flowers to incorporate. Someone else will have to chime in on that front. Whatever you ultimately decide upon will no doubt be appropriate I'm certain of that. Your bevy of pumpkins look wonderful standing out on the new front stoop! Puts me in the mood for Halloween. The color pallet for your living room has a very "grounded" quality about it. I like the dark, rich woodtone with the green wallpaper. What a treat to be able to get a glimpse at another artisan's creations. What fun it will be to follow along as you develop this house. Your plans for the chimney, fireplace and stairs appear to be the right choices. They will add structural interest to the exterior, as well as architectural interest to the interior. Thank you for sharing, Blake! Have a Happy Halloween.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my goodness! Thank you so much for your kind words! It means a lot to me that you appreciate the changes I am making to the kit and how I am decorating the house! I always gravitate towards the color palette of the living area because it is so peaceful and organic. Thanks, again, for all that you have said! I have started following your blog as well! Hugs and have a blessed day!

      Delete
  2. Te está quedando preciosa!! tienes muy buenas ideas
    eres muy creativo!!
    Besos de las Malu´s.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Malu! I am happy you like the new project! :D

      Hugs and blessings!
      -Blake

      Delete
  3. The porch is looking great! I love how you finished the tresses. I like how you are thinking of placing the stairs :)

    Ha, you are itching to decorate the porch :)

    Hugs,
    Victoria

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! AHAHAHAHA! I AM, VICTORIA! I just... NEED to make something festive! Hahaha!

      Hugs!

      Delete
  4. The porch is wonderful. I like this house.
    Bye Faby

    ReplyDelete
  5. You already know I'm a fan of monster-sized chimneys! :D You might run into problems with the windows interfering with the stairs. I suggest a mockup before you spend time on final materials. :] Love the pumpkins!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah! I actually did some MAJOR altering to the inside last night... I will take pictures in a bit!

      Thanks again, Brae!

      Delete
  6. I just googled images of those flowers and the word "pergola." I think that IS what it is called! Thank you very much! And the flowers are so pretty! I will gladly consider those :)

    ReplyDelete

T R A N S L A T E