Exterior Paint Colors

In 2010 we embarked on a complete residing of our exterior. It was a big project for us in all ways. I don't even want to remember how expensive it was, and to learn how much an intricate paint job was going to be... I'll never forget hearing those bids!

 

Needless to say, we survived and conquered! A few words of advice that we learned along the way: TEST SAMPLES. They are worth their weight in gold. The last thing you want to do is not be happy or have to repaint.

We knew we wanted to accent the brick, but not let the house feel too colonial. The other hurdle was playing up the timbering that we had, but was previously blending in.
Lastly, the saying "location, location, location" also applies here. The lighting conditions change the color of the paint... full sun, south facing, in shadow, cloudy, etc. So paint it and look at it during various times of day for a few weeks to check out how it changes. You'd be surprised!

Lastly, the "black" accent trim. Black itself is too harsh, so we went for a very dark blue to serve as black... If you want the look of "black" look at the darkest color on your paint chips if you want something more sublte and warm.

Test Location 1 (front of house, east facing)

Test Location 2 (south facing)

 

How did we do?

2010 reflections (part 2)

continued from last night... i got lazy.



June 2010

the weather turned around and exterior painting was finally making good progress

July 2010
with the help of my cousin, our Master Suite was progressing nicely.

August 2010again with the help of David, our Master Suite was kicking butt!

September 2010David killed this and we never would've finished without him, literally. Master Bedroom was ready to move in a year after we began!

October 2010
and same for the bathroom!
November 2010
we couldn't resist to paint the sunporch and occupy it off the master... our unheated office retreat!

December 2010
i framed some of my grandpa's blueprints from the Navy for bedroom artwork

2010 reflections (part 1)

a picture from each month of 2010...

January 2010

we started to frame the Master Suite while the exterior work started
February 2010
the exterior progressed well, despite the record rainfall

March 2010
swanky built some garden boxes and his garden

April 2010

while the exterior was nearing completion, our Master Suite was coming along...

with the shingling complete, time for some major paint prep
May 2010

so close, i can smell it

and the fumes of the idling truck in our driveway. but hey, that means that the painter is finally able to reach to hard to get places and working to finish up. sweeet! john and his wife have been at this for close to 5 or 6 weeks. i've lost count, working on off hours as a side job. the good news for them, they're on the home stretch.

i'm pretty sure he wants to be paid and done

when a 40'-0" ladder won't get you there...
an old pacific power bucket truck will... barely.

taken from our 3rd floor bedroom...

We got the House

After early inspections, a wedding and a honeymoon... we learned that we were put in first position for the offer we placed on the house. Here's an exterior photo of what we're taking on. You can't tell but it's in dire need of a major paint job, but that'll wait until next year.

Paperwork is being sorted out and we hope to close in the middle of October.

The Stats:
1913 Craftsman in the heart of Irvington here in Portland, Oregon. The history is still unknown, but we did find out it was last occupied by a religious unification group.

Currently: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, partial basement, partial attic... plumbing for 1 additional full bath in basement and 1/2 bath on main level.

The original Plumbing Permit lists it being built by "Oregon Home Builders" in 1912...

The trimwork has never been painted on the first floor and all the wiring is still knob and tube... yikes!

Did I mention it's missing a KITCHEN? This will be project #1.