Curb Appeal

I have been stalking Pinterest for home exterior ideas for one of my sweet friends. She and her hubby are building a home. They have the interior plans hammered-out and now it is time to figure out the exterior. He wanted a Texan/Mediterranean look, but she is the ultimate traditional gal, and nothing but a Southern classic will do. Guess who one this? Traditional it is. 

They don't really need my input, although they have asked for it. They have excellent taste, but when they ask, I am prepared! I am living vicariously through them. I am putting together a beautiful home, on a generous budget and it isn't costing me a dime! Here are my thoughts. What are yours?

xoxo,

Krissy

images via Pinterest

House Spying

Am I the only person that takes pictures of wonderful homes that I run across while driving around town? Yes, I am the freaky woman in the white SUV, stalking you and your neighbors. I am a voyeur at heart. I get mad at you people, you know who you are, that close your drapes at the first sign of dusk, so that I can't see into your home. I am harmless. I just want to covet your home, not steal you blind! Anyhoo, I ran across this beauty the other day. It had me at 'front porch' and only gets better from there.

The home sits on a wonderful, corner lot with mature trees

 I could rock for hours on this porch.
Every little detail is well thought out and the result is distinctly Southern in feel with a Texas twist.

I'm not lying about the voyeur part. Here is the bad pic to prove it. I tried to take this across the passenger seat. I ended-up circling the block to get better shots.

 Notice the mix of building materials: metal and shake roofing, exposed and painted brick, smooth stucco and siding for the vertical surfaces, copper awnings and downspout chains.

I wish I knew who designed this!

Happy Day Lovelies!

Krissy

Shuttered

The temperature is boiling around here, as it is almost everywhere here in the states. As much as I love the sunshine, the heat makes me want to shut all the curtains and create a cool, dark cocoon in my home; a respite from the sun and draining temperatures. Enter my favorite exterior accessories, shutters. I love me some shutters and I really love the crisp, tropical look of Bermuda shutters. They let the light in and yet, keep the interior shaded and cool. I would love to have them on my home, but since we don't live a tropical locale, the look is a little unusual. I guess I could start a trend. Hum, now there's a thought! Here are some shuttered looks to cool you down on a hot afternoon.

Stay cool!

Krissy

photos via: Pinterest

Reno Memos - Parlez-vous francais?

I have decided that I need to light a fire under myself. We are supposed to be starting the renovation of our new home next week and I have nary an idea hammered-down. I know what I want and I am so excited to have the opportunity to do this, so why am I so behind? I have decided to post on my "Reno Memos" and let you all in on the process. I will start with the outside today. The exterior currently resembles a white "Pizza Hut." All it is missing is some red paint and we could go into the pizza business. This old girl speaks French to me and from the first moment I saw her, I knew that French was the way to go.

First things first, we must add more windows. The interior is quite dark and dreary, as the previous owners had an aversion to windows. Next, a gable over the front door and some dormers to break-up that massive roof! Shutters, yes, shutters would be wonderful. I also like the idea of some decorative, zinc lighthing rods - very French indeed. To cap it off (pun intended), some cast stone accents. So, here are a few of my ideas and inspirations.

What do you think?

Current exterior - we can only improve from here!

Ca c'est bon. This one really speaks to me. Can you see it?

Ooh la la! A little formal but I love the roof lines and dormers and the color of the shutters.

These next two really won't work with what I have, but I love the feeling of these homes.

The roof on this one is similar to my vision. Also, love the front doors.

Au Revoir,

Krissy

My sincere apologies about the pictures. They are ones that I have saved on my computer and have no clue where they came from. If they look familiar, please let me know!