(This project was featured last week when I took over Behr’s Instagram account for the week. Those were short snippets I’m sharing the long-winded version here.)
This is a story that begins with a house. (Like all good stories do.) An old farmhouse my parents bought a few years ago. They live in it half the year (and in Arizona for the other six months). The inside is all updated and super adorable. But the outside was … a bit rough?
When you really study this picture, it looks a little like a house out of a scary movie. Despite the neatly trimmed lawn and flowers. This house just may be deserted or haunted or maybe has people living under the stairs? (I cannot possibly be the only person who has seen the movie The People Under the Stairs?) The front door was never used. I’m not sure why, other than the fact that it looks pretty terrifying.
My parents built a lovely (huge) pole barn and their plan is to build a house on the property, but it hasn’t happened and this eyesore was really starting to bother my mother. So, my mom and I hatched a plan to paint it. Even though my dad wanted no part of it. (He actually wanted to tear the whole house down, but that’s another story for another day.)
Paint worked wonders on our house. It worked on the barn.
Why wouldn’t it work on this house?
We finally got my dad on board, and we started to work. My dad started by cleaning and pressure washing the old siding. He also scraped paint around some of the windows and the trim work.
Here’s how it was looking after cleaning. Purrrdy.
It’s gotta get worse before it gets better. Am I right?
Then, we cracked open our paint of choice – Behr MARQUEE in Baguette (for the siding) and Behr MARQUEE Twinberry (for the foundation and trim).
I truly, seriously, not-kidding-you LOVE THIS PAINT. I’ve use MARQUEE a lot over the past few months and I can honestly say it’s the nicest paint I’ve used. It has a beautiful finish and the coverage is insane. I’ve been a long-time lover of Behr Premium Plus Ultra – and have used dozens over dozens of gallons before I started working with Behr. I think that paint is excellent and I could often get one-coat coverage.
But, MARQUEE paint. Better. So much better. I’m totally sold on it. Because it actually covers more surface space (exterior MARQUEE covers up to 400 sq. feet) and I can do it in less coats. And the exterior paint is designed to minimize fading, moisture and wear over time. I’m sold. I also think the colors are really fabulous – very sophisticated.
(And don’t even GET me started on the interior paint, which is guaranteed to cover in one coat. Another story for another day.)
Okay, my little testimonial is over. But, seriously. This paint should be available at all Home Depot’s nationwide. I’d get a gallon if I were you. Or 15, if you are doing the exterior of your house.
We invested in a large industrial airless sprayer last year and it’s been worth its weight in gold. The sprayer makes this project go so fast and the finish is perfect. There’s a little more clean-up, but there is little mess throughout the process and the overspray was minimal.
In line with my lazy girl painting tips, we didn’t tape anything off. We actually did tape off the windows when we painted our current house and it was worthless. So, my dad and Ryan manned the sprayer, working in long, steady strokes horizontally. The key to using this sprayer is to always keep moving and remove your finger from the trigger before you stop moving. (Otherwise, you get tons of drips.) It takes some practice, and I’m terrible at it. But it looks great when it’s done well.
When they reached windows, they used this handy tool to keep it from spraying over (the foundation was going to painted later, so we didn’t worry about that). Look how happy they are to be painting! (They did put a piece of cardboard over windows to avoid overspray, but it actually wasn’t needed.) Because the window trim was aluminum, the crisp white cleaned up nicely and didn’t need any paint.
While the guys were working on the spraying, I got to work on the front porch. It needed some serious lovin’. After they sprayed everything in Baguette and it dried, I started working on adding a little pizazz. I started with the door. There was no budget for a new door, so we just painted both the storm door (after removing the screens) and the exterior door (which we removed from the hinges and painted in the yard).
I decided to paint the hand rails in Twinberry, too. And then I worked on the porch floor and steps, which I applied with a roller.
I also painted the posts on the porch, which made it feel much more historic. Finally, I added a few little vinyl details, including this Welcome Home vinyl design on the screen door.
By this point, my dad and Ryan were finished with the first coat and working their way around the foundation with a coat of Twinberry, using the same method. At the end of the day, the looked a little something like this. (Full disclaimer: We did all the painting in the day, and then waited a few days for it to cure before adding the vinyl decals and decorative items on the porch.)
Let’s talk before and afters. This is what it looked like before my dad cleaned it.
This is what it looked like after one day of painting. (We started at 9 a.m. and were done by 5 or so.) It’s unreal.
That was fun. Let’s do it again. Before.
After.
The entire goal was to make the house look as great from the outside as it looks inside. (And to keep people from thinking an axe murderer or drug dealer lives there.) And we wanted it to feel like it belonged there. You can see how close the colors coordinate with the colors on my parents’ pole barn perfectly. (Do you spy my little model on the front porch?)
If you didn’t know better, you wouldn’t even think it was the same house. I believe in the power of paint, but this was a great reminder for me.
Paint is typically the cheapest and most DIY-friendly project you can take on. It definitely takes work, but the results speak for themselves, I think.
Do you love it as much as we do?
Thanks to Behr Paint for providing us with the paint to complete this project. We have been long-time Behr lovers, so we’re thrilled to be working with this brand. And thanks to you for supporting companies who make projects like this possible at NewlyWoodwards.
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Stephanie says
Looks absolutely amazing! ! It’s a totally new home with just a layer of paint. Great job!
Kim Woodward says
Thanks, Stephanie! We were all happy with how it turned out!
FRECKLES CHICK says
Jaw dropping!! Is this in Iowa? Man I have GOT to get me some Marquee paint. We used the Behr Ultra Premium Plus on our exterior years ago but it’s going to be Marquee all the way when we have to repaint.
And yes thank you. I always reference The People Under The Stairs when I saw scary old farmhouses, growing up in Iowa. That and Children of The Corn.
#Iowaforever
Donna says
The house looks wonderful! I love the paint colors. You and your family work so beautifully together. You are lucky to have each other.
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
Oh my gosh – I can’t even believe how charming it looks now! We have house painting in our future. Don’t know when exactly, but I am dreading it. I may need you to virtually hold my hand and pat my head when the time comes. Or maybe I will just hire it out…so expensive though!!
Kim Woodward says
Ugh. Hiring it out was always out of our budget. Honestly, it’s something you can do. Promise. We’ve done it three times and every time has been a one day project (plus prep time). The key is to get a commercial grade sprayer and great quality paint. You. Can. Do. It. (I’m channeling Rosie the Riveter.)
Kelly Goldman says
This is amazing. Really, so good.
Kim Woodward says
Thanks, Kelly! It was a labor of love!
cathy Lafrenz says
Paint is amazing!!! Now …. if I can only get to that part on mine. 😉
Looks fabulous, Kim!!
Kim Woodward says
Everything comes with time! And your house is so charming! I’d imagine you wouldn’t want to spray over all those fabulous details on your wood siding so lots of hand painting (yuck). My parents was a horrible asbestos siding job, so we’re all happy to have it covered.
Amber @ Wills Casa says
Can you come paint our house? Not kidding. I pay in free childcare and cookies.
Kim Woodward says
You have no idea how much free childcare and cookies I’ve received from my momma over the years. I think you may have a ways to go. 😉
May says
Would love to see the inside…..
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says
Holy WOW! So much better
daisy says
So faboo! It always helps to have the right equipment. Love your folks’ house.
Rachel says
Whoa, what a change! It looks amazing. And I, for one, vote that we get to see the inside, too 🙂 🙂 🙂
Katja | Shift Ctrl Art says
Amazing Kim. Just amazing what a little paint can do! It turned out fabulous!!
Arizona Lainey says
It’s so fun to drive up to our house that was built in 1902 now that it looks so cute. Thank you, daughter, for the outstanding job on our home. It looks like it actually belongs here with the barn to match. What would we do without you? Thank you … thank you …. thank you!
Kelly says
Girl, you absolutely amaze me! What a smart idea to use the cardboard or whatever out was to prevent over spray on the Windows! I use something like this when I’m using roundup on weeds but don’t want it to get on my pretty flowers, but I’d have never thunk (yes that is a word, thunk) to use something like that when spraying paint.your just brilliant and you are my new idol.Love, love, love, the color combo.
Gretchen says
Look how cute that house got! I’ve been wanting to try the Marquee paint….I mean, it sounds so fancy with that name and all :).
Jane says
Much better!! Big cozy fall warmup to the house. Great job!!
michelle@decorandthedog says
Looking fancy! You all are a stylish bunch!
Michelle says
Love the transformation!! After buying my first house in April, I’m finally getting started on painting this week (inside). I’m so excited/nervous.
And I loved the People Under the Stairs reference. A real “it’s so bad, it’s good” movie I remember watching on TV with my sister.
Christine says
Love it, looks great!
Mandy @ This Girl's Life says
Amazing difference! It is so adorable Kim! 🙂
cassie says
love its warm new look! so cheerful!
Karen says
Kim the transformation is amazing ! Beautiful color choices and a lot of elbow grease that made a world of difference. I also want to comment on what an impact your family makes on me. You all work together and get so much done. You all are really blessed to have one another ! Cherish your sweet family.