Before you move forward, you need to know where you’ve been. So, this first picture is “where we’ve been”. This photo was taken last May.
When I look at this picture of our house, I realize the power of landscaping. The house is just the backdrop, but what makes it pretty, are the plantings.
OK….In sharing these next photos, I must admit to feeling a little naked. Be kind.
In addition to tearing down a small portion of the house (not seen in this photo), we decided it was the right time to give the house a little facelift. New roof. New siding – shake shingle, which will be painted white. New gutters. Shutters – still don’t know what color. If you have a good idea, I’m all ears!
This is the “new” portion of the house. A side entry with a covered porch (we did not have a single covered entry into our house before), a 2 car garage, a mudroom, a larger laundry room and then an upstairs family room and half bath.
Speaking of powder baths…..you may recall my post where I shared the tiles I was considering. I picked….the Moroccan tile!
Finally, this is the center of the house….you can see the vent where they’ve hooked up my washer/dryer in my kitchen! Oh, the joys of renovating.
As my husband says, we wouldn’t have designed a house like this from scratch, but when you’re working with a 1940s structure, zoning and permits….you do the best you can with what you have.
And, I really can’t wait for Spring. By then, we should be finished with the exterior, have the landscaping replanted and maybe, if I’m lucky, those pretty pink tulips will bloom on cue!
Are you into home improvements?
I'm totally into home improvements… just not my own! Thanks for the great update. Psyched that you selected the Moroccan tile and can't wait to see the finished product.
Elizabeth,
Lots of extra good stuff there!!! Extra room….ahh, for extra tulips!
How exciting. Our shower door was just installed yesterday and now I have the green light to go shopping for new towels! We sort of ran out of steam with our renovation. All the details can be one part exhilarating and the other part exhausting!:)
(Not to mention ex-pensive!
Looking good!
pve
Thanks for sharing. I love all those pink flowers and your new floor is amazing!!
xo
Sharon
Can't wait to see the finished product. We're in our "starter home" so aren't doing any major renovations, but we'll see for the next home. The thought scares me a bit!
SO exciting..even without all the beautiful landscaping your house is so lovely…the proportions are perfect, ppt! Can't wait to see the finished project, as I'm sure "ya'll" can't either!
Loving the morroccan tile! The rest is prettay awesome too but that tile is to die for! Can't wait to see it all come together. Fingers crossed for the pretty pink tulips! Happy Thursday!
That first picture is just beautiful, love all the pink flowers. Good luck on your renovation.
Elizabeth love all that you are doing! The Moroccan tile is gorgeous. I was thrilled to see your signature oink flowers!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I think it's coming along very well and that you've made great choices with the facelift — nothing too extreme where one might immediately think "oh, she's had work done" – just "oh, how lovely she looks!" And those pink tulips will just be the final touch — like a swipe of pretty lipstick! There's nothing like a renovation to make you crazy! We've moved on to the decor stage, but have some landscaping projects this spring…and a mudroom makeover in our basement ahead of getting a big, furry dog hopefully sometime this year! Keep visualizing those tulips! XO
Wow things are moving along! Very exciting, and so glad you chose the beautiful Moroccan design tile. Its beautiful! How fun to pass the baton and let you be the one sharing all the "house updates"…lol. I love the first picture, it is so picture perfect and I expected nothing less than a barrage of beautiful pink flowers!
Very eciting! Renovations can be so much fun! Good luck.
I love your home! Waiting for spring and the flowers … too long of a wait. Are you keeping the lovely soft green on your front door? How about shutters the same colour? Or a soft weathered grey?
Cathy
love renovating and it looks like you are doing an extensive and pretty fab job!
Oh we're so in the same mood! Craving pink tulips. The landscaping on your house is gorgeous! Can't wait to see what you do this spring 🙂 xoxo
Your home is gorgeous. It totally suits your blog too! I can see it in your blog header. Love the landscape. xoxo
Cathy,
That's the direction I am leaning. Love the soft green currently on the door. Benjamin Moore, Garden Path. And, had thought about the same color for shutters (gulp!) or a soft gray. I'm thinking of having my team paint both and perhaps a darker gray and holding them up in the light to see how they will appear.
The house had dark green, almost black shutters when we bought it.
I've gotten so used to my "white house" but know it really should have shutters. At least that's what my architect is telling me! 🙂
xo Elizabeth
What amazing progress on the project!
Before you know it you will be in the new space and all of this will be a memory and dinner party chat!
LOVE the tile!
xo xo
Elizabeth, this is a major undertaking! You are a busy lady. Cant wait to see the final product.
Hope that you are having a nice Thursday.
Terea
xoxo
I can't wait to see your progress–I know with your eye it will turn out beautifully!
Your house looks like a fairytale and even better you get to expand it with these beautiful spaces. Honestly it looks like a dreamhouse. The Moroccan tiles are a fabulous choice, they look so chic. Good luck with the renovating 🙂
Looks really beautiful! I love all the twists and turns.
I posted photos of our completed home today. I enjoyed the construction process so much.
I am sure those tulips will rise to the occasion! How exciting to see progress…it never goes as quickly as you'd like, I know.
I LOVE the tile choice that is really beautiful, decorative but simple. I'm sure it will be wonderful.
Wow that must be so much fun and what a blessing to have such a pretty home!
ah! elizabeth, I am in love with your "new" house. the new changes are wonderful. and oh, the room you'll have. we are in a 1940's house also so we're kindred spirits. can't wait for more progress (bet you feel the same). donna
The addition and reno is going to be fabulous! Can't wait to see more pics…
xo Cathy
LOVE the Moroccan tile so much!
Stacy
I love how it's taking shape! The tile you selected is to die for! So excited for you and I have no doubt your pretty pink tulips will be gorgeous again in the spring!
It is really coming along, Elizabeth and love all that you are doing. The tile is fabulous…know you are dying to get it down…can't wait to see!!
ohmygosh Elizabeth… that first picture is STUNNING! I absolutley love your beautiful home!! I also love the color of your front door and my first thought for your shutters was a darker version of that color.
Your whole project looks fabulous! I know you will be so happy with it when it is complete, but as I always say- it's got to get messy before it can get beautiful!! You addition looks perfect for your house. Y'all are doing a wonderful job! Yay on the tile decision too!!
xojoan
Love the tile! It will be beautiful. Everything is coming right along! Good job!
Love your tile, it will make a beautiful statement! Thanks for taking us along on your jouney – can't wait!
It's going to be great! Hang in there! Happy weekend.
Lynn
Elizabeth,
I completed a massive renovation this past August so I appreciate your excitement and pain. Thankfully I had the guiding hand of our mutual friend Elizabeth from EMC – what a God send! Love your tile and especially adore the pink tulips and landscaping. Making a note for my next project of my own white house!
First off: hi! I'm your newest follower and I am not too ashamed to say I gasped at how lovely and pink your blog is! Second: I love a project – cannot buy a house without one! So with that being said, I love white houses with blue shutters – french blue, and to die for copper gutters although I know those are super expensive. But hey, a girl can dream, right! Cannot wait to see what you choose!
Beautiful beautiful beautiful! Love the way the house is looking, love the tile selection… can't wait to see more!!
I know it will look wonderful – you have such amazing taste! good luck – I hope it all goes quickly and exactly as you want it to!
It's looking great- dark grey shutters? can't wait to see more!
We live for home improvements. Can not wait for spring to see the pictures you put of your beautiful home.
It already looks amazing and it's not even done. I just love it. Can't wait to see the finished product. xoxo
Years ago in the Hamptons I saw a pretty house who's color scheme took my breath away! The house was like a linen white, trim and shutters like a navajo and the door was sage. SO soft, warm and beautiful – AMAZING!!!
Having said that my current obsession is a house here in New Canaan, white, black shutters, peacock door. 🙂
Best,
Kerry