Lucky 13 weeks, friends. And, progress continues. This week, garage and painting were the main projects.
A like-new foundation
I have to admit, I’m really happy with how the foundation turned out. Cleaned it right up. It looks crazy bright in these photos, but it will look amazing when it’s all put together.
It took 1 coat of paint plus some touch-ups (Behr exterior paint with primer) and the stone really soaked up the paint.
Next up – the stairs and porch. Ideally, this will happen over the weekend.
But, I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you. I move at the pace of a snail. And, I had to spend some my time this week blowing leaves (see them all in the pictures). And I’m surprisingly very good blowing leaves, in case you were wondering.
Let’s talk colors…
So, after my very scientific NewlyWoodwards survey about what color we should go with on the garage and house, the overwhelming majority (including AZ Lainey) voted khaki. That was so fun. Thank you for your opinions and your thoughts – including those of you who thought we should go with something totally different. I truly read all of your comments – several times actually. I really did agonize over the decision, which is sad but true.
And while your majority vote should have helped me make the decision, it didn’t. Not because I didn’t want it to. I did. I wanted the whole “choosing-a-color” fiasco to be over and done with.
But it didn’t help because when I announced that we would be going with khaki the day after the post, Ryan was disappointed.
My husband didn’t like khaki. Or any of the tans, for that matter.
Really? He couldn’t have told me that WEEKS ago when I started worrying about it, stressing about it, losing sleep over the decision? The boy goes and gets design opinions when I least expect it. And after I posted it on the blog, for goodness sakes.
So, we ended up going with something totally different. And, I swear, this isn’t just some sort of a blogging stunt. Because I would have much rather put this color up in the original post so all of you could have chosen it and made me feel better about it. (Let’s just pretend that you all would have chosen it at this point, mmkay?)
Within 24 hours after the post, we had agreed on another color and brought it home. And the color we chose was…
Slate
It’s a mid-grey. Ryan and I both like it. But don’t think that doesn’t mean I didn’t have major anxiety about it until it was up on the garage. I deal with my anxiety with fast food (I’m the epitome of good health) and let’s just say that a BK Chicken Sandwich and Coke was my friend after making the decision. (Sue me, we all have our vices.)
But, the fabric I swiped at Reusable Usables was navy and grey and it felt right.
And Ryan really felt strongly about the grey. Even with the tan roof. (That was my real hang-up.) But, I did want a mix of cool and warm colors on the outside, so there you go. And I think the grey actually has some tan undertones against the roof. It’s all good.
The garage is about 40 percent sided. Should be completed soon. It’s going to look amazing, I think.
It’s going to be hard to wait until the spring to paint the house.
On to the gaaaaarage
The garage door is in. It looks so nice. We don’t have electricity, but when we do, this is going to be one heckuva garage door.
We decided to have the door installed by a professional. We installed our own door in our house and it was time-consuming. For $150 over the cost of us buying the door and supplies at the hardware store, we could have someone else take care of it. While we were at work. Sold.
This was kind of a big deal, because Ryan typically prefers to do the work himself and save a few (or a lot of) bones. And, he seems to be able to do everything. But, as winter nears and the weather gets colder, we wanted this garage completed as quickly as possible. Plus, nights get dark early so there’s not a lot of time in the evenings to work outside. Every little bit of time helps.
This freed up Ryan to finish up the soffits and fascia this week, which look amazing. White and bright. Something about that makes it look so much more finished to me.
And, lookie what I spy…
That’s right…. windows may be coming up soon. Squeal!
What do you think?
And, here’s the list.
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Jenny @ Anything Pretty says
OK I totally love the slate. It already looks perfect even in the half done state.
And hiring someone to do the garage door was probably money very well spent. Too bad we just can’t skip winter and go straight to spring so that there is no slowing of home renovation.
I will work on that for you and let you know how it goes…..
Oonafey says
OMG! I am so excited that you went with the gray. It looks amazing.
The foundation does look violently white! Funny thing is, I was actually looking at the foundation after shot thinking “Gray siding would look really nice with the white foundation and gray stairs”. You rock.
Poo on khaki… Blah!
LizzieBeth says
Now here is the big question.. have you guys moved in yet?? hahah
LB
Misty-Ann says
Oh it’s looking great!!!!!
Cant wait to see the next report. While I try to catch up on the others of course 🙂
Leigh says
I think the slate looks great! Your bright flowers will really pop off of it. And think of how awesome it will look with christmas lights and some red bows!
Kristi says
I love how everything looks. I can’t believe how close to being done that garage is!! AWESOME!! As for the siding color, I was going to suggest a grey-blue in the first post, but didn’t want to rock the boat. (Honest!) So I am pretty much loving the slate. Also, your front porch is already looking amazing. Getting those ginormous shrubs out makes it look HUGE!! Can’t wait to see it all painted up.
jen @ homeinthecountry says
Kim – you guys are amazing. and inspiring. wow.
Love the gray, I think it’ll look great on the house, too!
Amanda Sevall says
I love the slate! I hate when the husbands hold out until after the agnozing and bust out a separate, but excellent, opinion. 😉 Bummer you have to wait to paint the house…. that’s a long time at the pace you are going through this renovation!!
Kim says
Wow! Look at you guys go! It’s coming along great Kim and I love all of your choices so far. Must be nice to be young and have so much energy! Keep up the good work girlie.
xoxo,
Kim
The Brick Cottage says
I love the gray! It would have been my top choice.
Jenny @ Words on Wendhurst says
Amazing progress so far girl! and I think slate was absolutely the right choice 🙂
P.S. I am thinking about Dare to DIY I just can’t decide if I have the time, but I really want to. 🙂
Wendy says
Kim,
I must tell you…your posts are the highlight of my blog reading! I think it helps me feel not alone in this crazy home project stuff! Love the garage color and doesn’t it feel so awesome to know you’ll have a place to park out of the rain and snow 🙂
We too are on leave clean up this week! I just spied your DIY party header again! Hurray! Going to go read that next 🙂
Happy Weekend to you!
Wendy
Lucky Girl says
The gray looks great and I think you’ll actually be quite happy with how it will go with, but not match, the room (sorry for the little What Not to Wear reference). So will you then paint the house the Slate color in the spring?
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
LOVE the Slate!!! It looks wonderful!! 🙂
Jennifer says
love the gray! the garage (and the house) are looking GREAT!
Mrs. 5C says
I reallyreallyreally like the gray! It absolutely goes with your roof! Do not worry one more second about that!
And I totally identify with your husband suddenly creating a design opinion at the last second. Mine is notorious for doing this. And (don’t tell him… but…) he’s usually right. I’ve almost given up on making my own design decisions.
alexandjess says
I love, LOVE!, the color you picked. Grey was a very smart choice.
Erin @ Domestic Adventure says
Everything looks great! The foundation is beautiful now and I do like the slate gray color. But seriously, why do men come up with opinions at the most inconvenient times!?!
And I’m still jealous of your garage.
Jen says
I love the slate color! Excellent choice.
Mrs. Adventure says
I am not going to lie I may have shed a tear for Khaki… until I saw the SLATE GREY :+) Not to mention how great it will look against your bright white foundation!
Liz @ It's Great To Be Home says
Seriously, every time I read about your renovations I’m so inspired!! Love the slate, I don’t know what we were thinking with the khaki. 🙂 And as for husbands, I’m with you – what’s with their random (and surprisingly passionate) design opinions?
Emily says
My house is gray and navy with white trim and I love it. I can’t wait to see the completed siding!!! What was your original reasoning for not wanting gray, I can’t remember?
The painted foundation makes a huge difference. You are so talented.
Cindy @The Flipping Couple says
Oooo, I really like the slate. Really. And good choice on the garage door. We did the exact same thing and I literally did a happy dance when I came home from work and it was done and perfect and shiny. Looking awesome!!
OurSoundHome says
Kim- the painted foundation makes such a huge difference! And I love the slate grey color. Nice choices!! We are also waiting to paint our house until the spring time-can’t wait!