When Stacie told us she was redoing the front of her amazingly glorious home in Richmond’s Historic Fan district, we knew she wouldn’t disappoint. I mean, she totally wowed us with her style here and here, so we were prepared to wet ourselves a little when we saw her exterior upgrade. Good thing we were prepared, because her overhaul was nothing short of insane. And like any sweet homeowner she wants to shout out her restoration guy for his commitment to keeping things historic and cutting no corners (his name is Eric Schmoldt at Advantage Construction, whose house we actually crashed here – small world). Hats off to Eric and Stacie. Between her vision and his amazing handiwork, it seriously doesn’t even look like the same house. So if we’re late to her annual Christmas party, Stacie will know why (because we might not recognize her place). Enough gabbing. Here’s the before:
And a few durings:
And here are the amazing after shots:
Isn’t it gorgeous? It’s so funny that the exterior in the before could ever become the one in the after. How is that even possible? It’s like a unicorn or a transported cupcake that doesn’t get smashed in the car. The stuff of legends. Anyway, thanks for sharing your gem with us Stacie! It’s a great reminder that houses that don’t always look lovely from the front often leave the most room for improvement! Off to stare at our new house’s exterior with renewed enthusiasm…
Pssst- We’re selling our slipcovered Pottery Barn sofa (which looks like new, thanks to those handy washable slipcovers) for nearly 60% off what we paid for it over on craigslist. And since we know you locals like a heads up about those things, we thought we’d share the link. If you’re interested, just respond to the craigslist ad and we’ll get back to you.
OMG! Breathtaking!!! If I drove by while house hunting I would want it… badly!!! I love the crisp grey and white… and really just every bit of it rocks!
xoXOxo
Peas & Crayons
I luv it! Next Spring we’re going to start doing outdoor work and an enclosed porch is on the list. Finny thing we just had a debate about, “what makes a porch a porch.” we even looked up the definition b/c we have a porch, but no stairs. It’s hard to explain w/o a pic. There’s a pic on my blog.
I luv luv what they’ve done. It’s totally my style.
Hard to believe that is the same house! And while it is most definitely gorgeous, I have to say, as the daughter of an iron welder, I was just a little sad to see that beautiful, decorative wrought iron gone!
…”so we were prepared to wet ourselves a little..”
and, “It’s like a unicorn or a transported cupcake that doesn’t get smashed in the car. The stuff of legends. ” I LOVE IT!! You guys crack me up. What a beautiful home. Wish we could pull it off, living in the fan, but with 3 elementary aged kids, Chesterfield County will probably be where we stay. We are new to Richmond and did a little sight seeing up near Church Hill (love that area!) and met some home schooled kids who lived there. I kept thinking, “Why can’t I be brave enough to home school my kids so they can experience the culture and arts of living OUTSIDE of suburbia??” Oh well..
Anyway, love the blog! Can’t wait for your NEW home pics!
That is one gorgeous after! I have loved seeing pics of this gal’s house. It is probably my all time fave from all of your house crashing adventures! That porch looks like it is meant to be there (and it totally looks original to the house).
Wow! That’s spectacular. I would never recognize it either !
I don’t know how you can part with such a fantastic basic sofa. I know you guys live on a “shoe string” to do what you love but I could never part with that. You may not actually have room in the new place…I guess I can get that. I just live in a small place now and have a few pieces stored for WHEN we move to a bigger place. But your small place now with less square footage has two more spaces for sofas. Just jeal I guess….
Yup, we’re getting a sectional (something I’ve dreamed of for years) so to offset the cost we’re selling that sofa since we don’t have a spot for it and want to roll that money over into our new couch. We still have two daybeds and another sofa so we figure we didn’t need another extra couch sitting around since we couldn’t find a spot for it!
xo,
s
Love it. That’s my dream color scheme for our home – but with a pop of turquoise door! I hope she kept that wrought iron as pretty trelis or something for their backyard…
I didn’t even think the “before” was that bad, but holy cow, the “after” is amazing! Looks expensive. I love the railing. Grey was, is, and always will be my fav color.
Totally breathtaking!
I don’t know which was better, the reno (with pictures) or the copy you guys wrote.
It was a close race, and sorry to disappoint, but I’m going with the reno. Phenomenal. Wonderful.
The only thing she’s missing is a blue porch ceiling :)
Hey Sherry thanks for recommending the Karlstad series! I’m thinking of getting the corner one and then adding on a chaise unit (in the Sivik beige). But are y’all getting a corner one? To me a sectional just isn’t a sectional without a corner.
Yes, we’re thinking about the sectional (with a corner) and the chaise on the other side (for a u-shaped setup). So excited!
xo,
s
SO, so beautiful. I thought the “before” picture WAS the “after”!! lol… I can’t even begin to imagine how much that cost!!! Great job!
Good luck selling the couch.
Really great transformation. I need to find a vision for our Cape to get the front re-done.
Wow, that’s jaw-droppingly gorgeous. I’m jealous!
p.s. that porch transformation is UNBELIEVABLE! wow!
My five-year-old daughter just walked into the room while I was looking at the ‘after’ pictures, and she gasped a little and said, “Wow!…Wow!”. I agree! That is breathtaking.
Amazing curb appeal.
Do you guys know if the porch is all new material, or if the columns, woodwork, soffits are rescued/reused? My husband and I own a historic home, and we tore off the old porch and replaced it with a significantly more beautiful- but salvaged one. Our historic code wouldn’t allow for new materials, so I was just curious.
Beautiful! I have been contemplating paintin our brick home and I love that color! Any way to find out what it is? Thanks!
So glad you guys are loving the makeover as much as we are. Here’s hoping Stacie stops in with the info that you guys have requested!
xo,
s
Wow, that redo is fantastic! It really doesn’t even look like the same house.
Oh wow. Oh my God. What a gorgeous “after.” And the geeky Classicist in me adores those Ionic columns. Love that the historical integrity was such a focus. Well done!
That is INCREDIBLE! Love it!
Wow. That looks phenomenal! I am usually not a fan of painting brick, as I think it is something that will eventually be regretted 10+ years down the road (same idea with people painting original ornate woodwork) but it looks fantastic!! Same goes for the wrought iron entrance- it is amazing & I’m shocked they didn’t make that work, however, it looks like they don’t have a lot of yard space at all, so it is a nice trade off to incorporate some outdoor space! Thanks for posting! Good luck with the closing next week!!
I’ve gotta agree with Mia – the new exterior rules, but the details in the original ironwork were priceless. I hope the scrap went to a good home or salvage shop!
Oh amazing!!! I love historic houses, it’s my dream to have one one day. This is a wonderful redo to the front of the house!
All I can say is :PHENOMENAL!
Wow, amazing! And I love love LOVE the gray. Great work, Stacie.
Holy crap – it’s amazing.
I am surprised they got away with a railing that isn’t done to code though.
That is absolutely breathtaking! Love it!
This is completely off-topic, but my husband and I just recently moved into our first home. We had the cabinets painted white by a contractor. We were just putting up everything in the kitchen last night, when I noticed a small crack in one of the doors (I know it wasn’t there before, because I inspected every single door carefully after their work was completed). I e-mail the contractor and he said that it looks like it is on a seam and that wood expands/contracts with changes in weather.
Is that true and to be expected? How would you recommend we “fix” (if that is even possible) the small crack?
Hmm, wood does expand and contract with the weather, so that definitely could be the issue (although it usually “acclimates” over time, so something wouldn’t usually expand or contract ten years after it was installed). Anyway, our idea would be to use a tiny tiny bead of white paintable caulk and a putty knife to fill the hole, which should make it invisible. Caulk is usually easier to use than wood putty since it doesn’t tend to shrink or crack as much. And of course you can paint over it since it’s paintable (although if you use the putty knife to force it into the crack and wipe down the surface of the door, you might get away without painting a thing since it may render the crack practically invisible and blend well enough in with the white cabinets. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I feel bad for their neighbors, the neighbors house looks so sad right next to the new exterior.
I am blown away by this transformation! How beautiful!
Wow, wow, wow.
The windows just POP out now.
Great vision!!
Holy crap! Seriously, that’s amazing!
WOW!!
I can’t stop looking at the pictures. Seriously, this makes me want an old house soooo bad.
http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2010/12/07/new-pillows/
All the prizes are abeulotsly amazing and very generous. I would love to win the Dave Ramsey Store certificate, but the truly are all great.I follow through GFCThriftyWays(at)gmail(dot)com
That is an amazing transformation. I love the porch <3 The woodworking is exceptional. But she was brave to paint that brick!
I just want to thank YHL for your quick response in regards to my cabinet issue! I will try the caulking trick tonight. I really appreciate you taking the time out of your day to help people with their house dilemmas! It means more than you know!
No problem. Good luck!
xo,
s
Fantastic! It looks so amazing!
I think my heart stopped. That house is unbelievable and I am totally jealous!
They did a beautiful job resoring that porch.
You can see the ghost shadow of the original in the before photo. Makes you wonder how it got chopped down to that little porch with the iron work.
I too am not a fan of painting brick as depending upon the type of historic brick it may not be sealed.
I am sure the Historic Preservation Board for this district is glad to have such a great homeowner in the neighborhood.
Stacie – if you do stop in – I’d love to know the name of the color you chose for the exterior. We’re planning to paint our home grey in the near future and this shade would be perfect.
This is so beautiful, along with the rest of their house. Every little touch is just immaculate. It gives me a little relief to see that these improvements are ongoing and can take a looooong time, because I am just starting, and to think of all the work ahead of me is slightly overwhelming.
Beautiful…but I’d like to see the whole building. How does the other side look with this fantastic makeover next door?
Hey Angela,
It’s a row of houses that are connected in that area of downtown Richmond, but every owner puts their stamp on each front (they’re all painted different colors, have unique porches, etc). It’s such a charming and eclectic yet historic look- and we love that they’re not all carbon copies of the one next door!
xo,
s
I love everything about this house. The color, full length porch and built-in fan – marvelous! Wouldn’t mind a mint julep on this porch in May… Although I don’t that THAT kind of house crashing is allowed!
Wow, great job that is amazingly beautiful!
Why dont I live near you!!! I was bummed I couldnt snatch up your house, especially since mine has all that “fixer upper charm” going on, we could have just traded :) I surely would have bought it on the first day for whatever price you asked! And now the Pottery Barn couch… yes I’m whining… and now pouting.
H’okay, so I’m going to bet that your sofa listing on Craigslist gets pinged and bought in under 1 hour, 37 minutes by one of your readers. If I win the bet, I get a special commemorative plate, yes?
Haha. You’ll be awarded 500 comment bonus points if that happens. And those are moderately hard to come by!
xo,
s
omgeeeeezy! Can I please live on this porch?!
Truly amazing! Would it be possible to find out the paint colors Stacie used on the exterior? Thank you!