Saturday, June 06, 2009

I Lack Curb Appeal

Our home is a fixer-uper. Besides a boatload of painting that needs to be done there are some major home improvement projects that need taken care of as well. When I think about every window that needs replaced, the doors that need to go, the garage door that is from 1950 that I cannot open, the ugly outdated bathroom...oh my head starts to swim! But, I refuse to let it get me down. Okay, somedays I allow it too...but for the most part, I'm trying to change things, one at a time. The small things anyways.

To say that the outside of our house is ugly is an understatement. Our house is peach. Ugly '80's peach. My father-n-law calls it "flesh". Gross. Imagine someone calling your home sweet home, flesh. Ugh. It's awful! On my priority list of to-do's is paint the outside of our home. The problem though, is that our home is made of three different materials. We have faux brick, wood and off white stoney stucco. It's a NIGHTMARE I'll tell ya. And though I had every intention of wanting to paint this mess this summer, Shane is hoping that we will be able to side the sucker next year. So....I've stepped aside and accepted the peach for one more year. It's slightly unbearable, but I hope to survive. Check with me in August though.


Which leaves me to this post.

When we moved in, our house numbers were hideous. I'll let the photos speak for themselves.



Here is what the house looks like with the missing number plate. Incidently, it was originally placed ABOVE the big white rectangle. That is where a mailbox probably should be but our neighborhood collects their mail at a community mailbox a couple of blocks away.




I unscrewed the house numbers from the wooden plaque thing.


Spray painted them white.


Grabbed my trusty upholstery tacks.


And nailed them into the stairs.
(Don't look to closely as the hammer wore away most the paint on the tacks. I need some white liquid paint to touch them up.)


I chalkboard spray painted the wooden board. You can see that that too needs some touching up. But hey, it's just a little character, right? I also hung this pineapple welcome sign that I scooped up at Walmart a few years ago.


And wall-ah! I like it muuuuuuch better now.
(And please ignore the ugly, too big light fixture, the worn out deck paint and the missing trim around my door. I told you that it lacked curb appeal.)

13 comments:

B said...

It's looking good girlie! Pop over to my place; I have something there for you...x

Tracey said...

Mandi, I say you already increased the value of your home. Believe me, I live in a 100 year old house and It lacked a lot for a long time. Take it step by step and you'll see it transform before you eyes.. great work!

~ Lisa @ AbidingThere~ said...

Mandi - what a cute idea! Owning a home is ALWAYS a work in progress. Constantly fixing, painting, changing, tearing out, putting back, updating, re-doing. I haven't met a homeowner yet who doesn't have a perpetual To-Do list for their house. Enjoy the process :)

the undomesticated wife said...

That's a great idea! Whatcha gonna write on the chalkboard?

I like the light fixture!

Barb said...

Mandi, you are very creative...a little elbow grease with your clever ideas and you do wonderful things! Your previous blog entries with your curtains and all your craft ideas show us just how creative you are! Keep on going your "lack of curb appeal" will be the opposite soon! It takes lots of work to reach the point of what you like, but IT WILL HAPPEN! Have a great week!

Holly said...

Mandi, I've been there before. Most of the houses we rented were low on curb appeal. You've already made some definite improvements! How about some potted flowers on the steps? That would pretty it up for this season.

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

Just remember, it all takes time. By the time you finish remodeling, you'll have to start all over again! At least it's yours (and the banks). Enjoy!

Lucy Marie said...

It looks better already! What are you going to write on the chalkboard? You could have some fun with that! I love the pineapple welcome sign - super cute!

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

I enjoyed reading your blog today.
I love all the new blogs
I have found. Quite a unique group.
I love making new blogging friends..
I have several Disney posts already on my blog and have several more to post. Hope you will stop by for a visit.

Angie said...

That project sure did boost your curb appeal! I know it is so hard to be patient when you want everything fixed like NOW!

Small House said...

It looks great. A little bit of this and that makes a big difference.
I'm with you though, gross-flesh. I'd prefer peach.

Have a great day.
Sandra

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

What a great solution, it looks great!!!
~Michelle

Mandi Shandi said...

Huge difference!! Love it that a couple small changes can make such a difference. My house is a fixer upper too, so I know what you mean about being impatient. We'll get it done eventually. Just keep chugging along!

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