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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: Curb Appeal Insanity

| By Sherry Petersik | February 2, 2010 | 94 Comments

Reader Redesign: Curb Appeal Insanity

When Krystol sent over her unbelievable before & after exterior photos we just had to share the gorgeousness. Here’s her letter:

I love your blog and I thought you might like our recent porch renovation. We’re trying to take our rancher to a french country cottage. First we the removed the porch railings and moved the posts a bit further apart. One of the posts was right in front of the door (not too welcoming!). Then we sheathed the existing posts in rough cut oak and added a second set of posts for a little extra oomph at the front door. We also added arches (carved from a single curved tree trunk section- go hubby!) and painted the house. Well, actually we limed it. This is an ancient process where agricultural lime is mixed with water, then applied to the brick. Instead of sealing in moisture like paint can, the lime allows the brick to breathe. Eventually it does wear away, but I like that “old” look. It is also totally eco friendly and cheap! A bag of lime is around $10 and it took about 8 to do our house. I think paint would have cost around $400 or more. The house trim is Farrow and Ball’s French Grey and the “new” front door is from the Habitat ReStore and we just added new hardware from Emtek. Oh and the seagrass rugs are from World Market. Anyway, like I said I love your blog.  It’s an inspiration to all of us DIYers out here! I hope you enjoy the front photos. – Krystol

Here’s what Krystol started with:

Porch RR1

Here’s the house in progress after getting limed:

Porch RR2

And this is finished product with new posts and arches along with a new door and furnishings:

Porch RR3

Porch RR4

Isn’t that amazing? It doesn’t even look like the same house! And the fact that they limed the entire exterior themselves (for around $80!) and carved those arches from a single block of wood is incredibly envy inducing. Thanks so much for sending the gorgeous before and after photos our way Krystol! What do you guys think? What’s your favorite part? We can’t decide between those arches and that pretty limed brick…

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Comments

  1. Avatar for Lori HLori H says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:05 pm

    I love the limed brick and the green color they used on the trim. Beautiful!! I am so impressed.

    Reply
  2. Avatar for mariannemarianne says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:10 pm

    WOW!! That is an amazing transformation. Love it! Great job!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for KarrieKarrie says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:13 pm

    Amazing! I’m bummed that there’s not a blog link to this before and after. I’d love to know more about the liming process as it’s something that I’d like to do to our house. Great job, Krystol! You definately acheived the french cottage look you were after!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for RachelRachel says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:14 pm

    Sometimes the reader redesigns have a very “DIY” look, in not-so-good way. But this is GORGEOUS!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for DarbyDarby says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:16 pm

    Y’all… that is CURB APPEAL INSANITY! Please tell us how they applied the lime? Do you spray it on or what? It looks fabulous… love the wood columns, the door… the whole 9 yards! Thanks for sharing!!! Keep it up and give that little bambino a pat for me!!

    Reply
    • Avatar for BippyBippy says

      June 24, 2014 at 4:48 pm

      You take type S hydrated lime from the home improvement store, mix it in a bucket until it’s about pancake batter consistency, and then you can roll/spray/paint it on. It WILL dry the heck out of your hands, so apply olive oil to your skin before you start, and it looks transparent when wet and gets more translucent when dry, so don’t freak out after your first coat. I always need three coats. The lime will last in the bucket two months, easy, so don’t worry if you have to take a break between coats to get it all looking nice.

  6. Avatar for jojo says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:16 pm

    that is a FANTASTIC redo…very inspiring!!!

    Reply
  7. Avatar for This Thrifted LifeThis Thrifted Life says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:19 pm

    Wow, what a fabulous makeover! I love that they used lime instead of paint.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for linda@LimeintheCoconut[email protected] says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:19 pm

    Oh…I LOVE what they did!Talk about a beautiful transformation…and they carved the arches themselves out of a tree. That just takes the project to a whole new level!

    I think you youn’uns should lime your casa?? No?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      February 2, 2010 at 2:20 pm

      Hey Linda,

      Unfortunately due to the mold here in Richmond many painted/limed brick houses have a nice coat of green mold and mildew (and need to be scrubbed down with bleach a few times a year), so in the interest of our home’s blissful zero maintenance exterior we’re resisting the urge to lime the heck out of it!

      xo,
      s

  9. Avatar for nell annnell ann says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:19 pm

    It looks amazing! Take it from someone who did a complete exterior makeover, that nothing is more satisfying than finally driving up to a house you love to come home to! Congrats — you did an amazing job!!!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for MonicaMonica says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:19 pm

    I’m in love with the front door! It makes everything feel so open…great job!!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for courtneycourtney says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    these posts are my fave! and it totally makes me want to paint, i mean lime, my brick house!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for elizabethelizabeth says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    WOW. WOW. WOW!

    I love the white brick, and I think what they’ve done here makes the house look really inviting and friendly.

    Reply
  13. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:27 pm

    WOW! This is absolutely amazing. It looks like a house you would see in Ojai, California. Where is this one? So wonderful!

    Reply
  14. Avatar for ErynnErynn says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:29 pm

    UH-MAZING!! I am so impressed and inspired!! Thanks for sharing with all of us!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for GingerGinger says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:29 pm

    I have been searching for a fix for our ugly ’70s brick….I think I just found my solution. Perhaps, you could share the how to?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      February 2, 2010 at 2:29 pm

      Hey Ginger, Karrie, and Darby,

      Here’s hoping that Krystol drops in with more detailed liming info, but in the meantime you can google around for terms like “how to lime wash” for a tutorial (there might even be some how-to videos on You Tube)! Here’s one link we dug up with a formula for water to lime if you scroll down a bit: http://www.earthpigments.com/Lime/Lime-Wash.cfm

      Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  16. Avatar for Tracie@Gurtler+Home[email protected]+Home says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:30 pm

    That is GORGEOUS!!! I would not be surprised if that ended up on the front cover of a magazine. I love it! And the fact that you were able to do it resourseful is amazing. Great job!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for LauraLaura says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:30 pm

    SO FABULOUS!!!!!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Tiffany T.Tiffany T. says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:30 pm

    That is freakin awesome!

    Reply
  19. Avatar for SaraSara says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:35 pm

    Wow! It has such a beautiful country appeal to it now! I think the archways are my favorite. Fantastic transformation! bravo! :)

    Reply
  20. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:36 pm

    Lovely. Looks like a brand new home. I had never heard of the lime idea before but I love it.

    Reply
  21. Avatar for KristinKristin says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:38 pm

    This is amazing! Wonderful vision of how the house could look different!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for AlishaAlisha says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    Wow! What a transformation! I love the arches!! They give so much character and charm and I love how thick and rustic they look! I also love your flower pot arrangement at the door. Hey, it’s the little things too! =) Awesome work.

    Reply
  23. Avatar for KerriKerri says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    Wow! I didn’t think the porch and house looked half bad before, but the after pictures are gorgeous. I just love it.

    Reply
  24. Avatar for LoriLori says

    February 2, 2010 at 2:56 pm

    My favorite part is the subtle grey-green they chose for their trim. Beautiful!

    Reply
  25. Avatar for SandySandy says

    February 2, 2010 at 3:04 pm

    Oh…my….gawd! How fabulous is that transformation? I have been trying to work up the courage to paint my non-descript little red brick ranch house, but I keep going back and forth. If I do it, it would be the only one on the block that is painted (or in this case, now that I know about it, limed) — and as I plan on selling in about five years, I worry about re-sell. (Realtors say that you should try and blend into the neighborhood. Blech.)

    Reply
  26. Avatar for BeckyBecky says

    February 2, 2010 at 3:08 pm

    It is all gorgeous. But that door is so pretty. I love that it totally matches the windows. Very beautiful redo!

    Reply
  27. Avatar for RebekahRebekah says

    February 2, 2010 at 3:09 pm

    I love the door and window trim color. I also love the door itself. Krystol, please share the color when you check back here!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      February 2, 2010 at 3:10 pm

      Hey Rebekah,

      Krystol included the trim/door color in her letter (Farrow and Ball’s French Grey). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  28. Avatar for BenBen says

    February 2, 2010 at 3:11 pm

    That door really makes the house breathe. I also like the puppy out front–

    Reply
  29. Avatar for tylyntylyn says

    February 2, 2010 at 3:12 pm

    wow! its sooo coool! we have a horrible front porch as well and its so awsome how this post was posted! our house is ugly stucko thats peeling. would the lime-ing work over stucko, (if we of course pressure washed off the peeling stuff?)
    beautiful job!

    Reply
  30. Avatar for NatalieNatalie says

    February 2, 2010 at 3:14 pm

    Oh wow, that is beautiful! They really did a tremendous job! :)

    Reply
  31. Avatar for HilaryHilary says

    February 2, 2010 at 3:19 pm

    Lime Wash is actually a type of White Wash. We live in a historic district where White Wash (Lime or any lime/chalk variation) is strictly forbidden. Pure Lime wash can be susceptible to mold. White Wash, like Kalsomine should be resistant to most algae and mold. White Wash is actually anti-bacterial, and according to Wikipedia, is used often in Dairies and industrial kitchens to ward off bacteria.

    Reply
  32. Avatar for Laura@JourneyChic[email protected] says

    February 2, 2010 at 3:21 pm

    Wow! The “after” looks like it could be in a magazine! The arches and colors are beautiful, and the new door is perfect for what they want to achieve – but makes me think that they must live in a VERY safe neighborhood. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with that much exposure in my city-ish neighborhood!

    Reply
  33. Avatar for SaraSara says

    February 2, 2010 at 3:25 pm

    This is amazing. Does anybody know how long the liming lasts? The post mentions that it eventually wears off…

    Reply
  34. Avatar for Handy Man, Crafty WomanHandy Man, Crafty Woman says

    February 2, 2010 at 3:40 pm

    wow, it looks great!!! so nice and clean and bright! :-)

    Reply
  35. Avatar for gloriagloria says

    February 2, 2010 at 4:01 pm

    Thud. Yes, that was the sound of my jaw dropping and hitting the ground. Amazing home makeover!!

    Reply
  36. Avatar for veevee says

    February 2, 2010 at 4:17 pm

    gorgeous! however I am a fan of red brick…

    Reply
  37. Avatar for SandraSandra says

    February 2, 2010 at 4:19 pm

    I’d really love to see more pictures of this one!

    Reply
  38. Avatar for juliejulie says

    February 2, 2010 at 4:25 pm

    ab fab!! but the only lime I know about goes in my cocktail!! Learn sumthin’ new every day!!

    Reply
  39. Avatar for SamanthaSamantha says

    February 2, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    oh man. i LOVE that. beautiful!

    I live in Richmond too, and I read that this wouldn’t hold up in an RVA climate. What area of the world does Kristol live in, did she say?

    Reply
  40. Avatar for HeatherHeather says

    February 2, 2010 at 4:29 pm

    Those windows and the raw wood are dreamy!!

    Reply
  41. Avatar for Carol N.Carol N. says

    February 2, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    Oh wow, I’d love to do this to our brick rancher. I love the look of painted brick but the expense is kind of high. You mentioned the humidity in VA being a problem…do you know where Krystol lives? We have mold growing on our bricks it has been so humid here in Alabama lately. Love the door and trim color too and the arches, and just EVERYTHING!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      February 2, 2010 at 4:32 pm

      Hey Carol and Samantha,

      We don’t know where Krystol lives but here’s hoping she pops in the spill the beans!

      xo,
      s

  42. Avatar for MeganMegan says

    February 2, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    INCREDIBLE! We’re getting ready to buy our first grown up home soon and this is getting added to projects to do after moving in list!

    Reply
  43. Avatar for MichelleMichelle says

    February 2, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    Wow! This is seriously amazing!! I can’t believe they did the entire exterior for $80! So awesome! Makes me wish I had a brick house just so I could lime it :)
    And those arches are beautiful!

    Reply
  44. Avatar for HaileyHailey says

    February 2, 2010 at 4:54 pm

    FYI…I found a “match” to the Farrow and Ball’s French Gray using http://www.colorcharts.org.

    SW Svelt Sage is about 92% accurate.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      February 2, 2010 at 4:57 pm

      Cool beans. Thanks for the tip Hailey!

      xo,
      s

  45. Avatar for Mrs. MoneyMrs. Money says

    February 2, 2010 at 5:25 pm

    Wow, beautiful! They did a great job.

    Reply
  46. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    February 2, 2010 at 5:30 pm

    Great job Krystol!

    I would love to know more about how the roof was supported while the arches were installed. My front porch is in need of TLC!

    Reply
  47. Avatar for Lesley HLesley H says

    February 2, 2010 at 5:36 pm

    STUNNING! This doesn’t even look like the same house. Absolutely LOVE the carved beams and no one else will ever have the same ones-very nice touch. I’ve been toying with putting house numbers at the bottom of my front door and now that I see it here I’m doing it – tonight! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  48. Avatar for KristinKristin says

    February 2, 2010 at 5:37 pm

    The door does it for me. I love how it opens everything up. Great choice. How do you like living with a glass front door? We moved into a house with one and the only down side for me is that I can’t peep out at solicitors while deciding if I should answer the door or not.

    Reply
  49. Avatar for allyally says

    February 2, 2010 at 5:53 pm

    Ok,

    When you said “rambler to French countryside” I was a little skeptical, but wow! I love the arches, and I think the house numbers on the bottom of the door is fun!

    Reply
  50. Avatar for TeresaTeresa says

    February 2, 2010 at 6:41 pm

    WOW….best reader redesign to date!!!! Hats off Krystol.

    Reply
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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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