Renovation Update: Getting Close!
The last four weeks of renovations crawl by, but I cannot complain as we are not only ON schedule, but a little ahead (and on budget, which is even better). The details make new spaces really take shape and I can see the finish line so clearly now it’s exciting!
I came home today to a garage door! We did a carriage style door and I am 99% convinced I’m going to paint it black. My dad wasn’t totally in agreement but I think he’s on board now! (P.S. I cannot wait until I can fix that off-center middle window- it literally drives me INSANE!)
I love the look of black shutters with a black garage door. :)
Our bedroom is AMAZING. It’s huge and bright and I love it so much. Our hardwood floors went down this week and made it all feel so much more finished!
The window seat will go in soon and then it’ll be impossible to get the dogs away from it. Prepare to be barked at if you walk by our house. The step from the entry hall to the bedroom will go in soon too- Andrew texted me this week “Are we putting a step in the bedroom?” and part of me wanted to say “No- we’ll just take running leaps into the bedroom.” ;)
We picked these C&B sconces for the window seat nook.
We’ve entered the painting phase which is always a treat as I feel the need to test 72 different light grey-beiges and then stare at them like I’ve had a lobotomy. Our window treatments are this FAB print from Lacefield Design– I’ve never done print drapes for myself before and I’m pretty excited!
Today the floors got stained- same as our hallway for continuity (50/50 mix of Minwax Jacobean and Ebony- one coat!) Poly will come next and then baseboard! On the left in this entry hall are the custom built ins we designed that will function as Andrew’s closet and our bookshelf. I’ve since added some decorative molding to the glass panels and I’m sensing these will be gorgeous and the mirror will bounce light around this narrow space. To the right is a pocket door that opens into our little master bathroom.
Speaking of pocket doors I have another one going into my closet (which I’m designing with California Closets– it’s a small walk-in, but will be efficient and pretty- and feels HUGE to me!)
The pantry doors went in (but not the steps down to it, hence the broom and wood keeping me from falling on my face).
And the hardware for those doors came in today too and they are BEAUTIES!
Our huge coat closet has sliders now and the whole mudroom and laundry is trimmed out- tile up next!
It’s the little things that thrill me now- like the side door into my garage (OMG, I HAVE A GARAGE!)
And speaking of thrills- my editor received ten preview finished copies of my book yesterday and I am DYYYYIIINNNNGG over them. I wanted this book to be a beautiful decorative object as well as something amazing to read and that spine SLAYS ME. It will add such punch to people’s bookshelves and coffee tables! I just love it. You still have to wait until October 7, but you can pre-order it just to be sure. :)
Browse:
Amazing issues here. I am very happy to look your post. Thank you so much and I am looking forward to touch you.
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Love the black doors, do you think it will take away from the carriage look? Also what brand are your garage doors?
The door hardware is beautiful.You made me laugh about wanting the baby goat :).
LOVE the door hardware from Emtek but wondering which finish you selected, polished brass or french antique? Your picture doesnt’ quite match up with what I see on their website…
that garage door needs to be high gloss black mrs 34:)
Re: your off-center window above front door…. my husband (NOT a professional contractor) recently widened/moved a window at our house and he claims it was “really easy” “not a big deal”. Maybe you should just have those contractors DO IT.
ps love your blog and have pre-ordered your book!
That hardware for those doors – BEAUTIES!! Definitely a “yea!” for black garage door!! All looking SPLENDID!! franki
I think the black garage door will look fab, and, honestly, I wouldn’t have noticed the off-center window above front door (or for that matter the fact that new bedroom windows aren’t lined up with garage door windows below, which PP pointed out), and I don’t think the casual passerby would notice either one. If anything, it is just one of those old house quirks. Don’t give it another thought (easier said than done, everyone has things about their home that drive them craaaaazy). To me it wouldn’t be worth the expense to fix and I would try to repeat to myself “old house quirk” many, many times. :-)
Hardware
Where are those lovely door handles from???
I hate to be the voice of dissension but I agree with dad; I would not paint the garage door black for the following reasons: 1) Your eye goes to the area of highest contrast. Painting the garage door black will draw attention away from the main part of the house and the front door. 2) You’ll lose the arch detail that’s in the garage door windows. I don’t agree with the language of that curve but I assume were meant to echo the curve above the front door. 3) And most importantly, painting the garage door black it will highlight the fact that the new bedroom windows are grossly out of alignment with the garage door. If the little window above the front door bothers you, this will drive you insane.
Erin,
I love your style and check your updates every morning with my coffee. I’m losing sleep over window grilles in our renovation of a 50 year old traditional home. Can you share whether you selected a divided light with spacers between the glass or an option that is kinder to the budget?
I can’t wait to see your completed project!
Looking great, Erin! I vote to definitely paint the garage door black. I also think you should paint those two chimneys white! Would look great. :)
Love all your choices! Any chance of divulging who’s garage door you used? I’m in the market for a replacement soon.
It all looks great! I have to agree with your dad, though about painting the garage door black. I think it will draw attention away from the main focal point, your front entry.
Hi Erin,
Will you post to England? :)
Love every single thing about this post.
Your book spine game is strong! Seriously.
The house looks SO GOOD!
My best girlfriend pre-ordered your book for me as a house warming present and I cannot wait to get it! Seeing your beautiful renovations makes me want to fast forward everything with our house!
The black garage doors will look fantastic!! Absolutely the right call.
The garage door is going to be gorgeous in black.
Annemarie- the source is linked in the text.
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Renovation Update: Getting Close! « Elements of Style Blog
Could you “cheat” the tricky annoying off center window a little by spacing the shutter on one side a few inches further away? The eye reads that strong black shutter and may never notice the misplaced window… Well, you will of course, you’re a designer!
Love your ebony floors! We, also, have them and they are so hard to maintain because you see every little speck of dust but they are so incredibly rich…..Black garage door, ABSOLUTELY!
Exciting stuff happening! I didn’t read through all of the comments, but wanted to know, is that a fabric swatch or wallpaper by the paint tests? Window treatments? Do tell…
I am so excited for your book. I try to hold back on purchasing too many design books (especially because they’re just eye candy to me and make me happy), and I love your personal and professional style. I can’t wait to get my mitts on it. Will we be getting any sneak peeks?
i think a lot of people, especially me, want to know manufacturer, name if any, and where you bought the glass and brass knobs. thanks!
Em- money! It was so out of our budget unfortunately.
Looks fantastic! Love those pantry knobs. I was wondering though…I remember the original plans for this addition that you got for Christmas had a decorative railing around the the window bump out over the garage instead of the roof sloping down. I loved that look! What made you change your mind?
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a black garage door…or maybe I never noticed but I LOVE it! I have dark brown shutters…do you think I can do my garage door dark brown or does this really only look good black?
Your house looks wonderful and I totally agree with you on painting your garage black! That door hardware is to die for!!
Looking great Erin! can’t wait to see the garage door when it goes black. Congrats on the book — the spine is definitely beautiful and will be on my coffee table on Oct 8!
Love the idea of black garage doors -just make sure the doors are wood -black paint won’t work on a lot of PVC & non-wood products unfortunately. It will heat up the doors and make them warp slightly and all of the paint will peel off (learn the hard way)
Love it!!! So beautiful..
Fabulous, all of it. btw, I would never notice the off center window above front door…
Is this project going insanely fast or is it just me? We’ve been renovating ONE tiny master bathroom for the past eight weeks while you’ve added an entire new wing to your home! You must have a fantastic team!!
Black garage door for sure! Love painted garage doors esp. black! Can you just put in slightly bigger window where the “off center” window is to fix the problem? I really only noticed it because you mentioned it. The addition is incredible, really looks like it’s been there forever!
lovely & on schedule & on (under) budget is rare,… good for you! wondering what your dad’s reservation on blk garage doors??? i love glossy blk all the way,…… btw: it’s the small touches like your smooth crystal door knob that makes it!! continued success.
Very excited for you! And your choices are perfection..
Erin, ever since you pointed out the center window on your blog entry when you bought the house, I started noticing that offset center window on all over the place! I live one town over from you, so apparently it was a ‘thing’ on center-entry 30s/40s colonials at the time (one of the houses is practically a carbon copy of yours). Did your dad ever offer any explanation for that oddball placement? I am slightly obsessed with this now, so if you ever find out anything when you center the window, let us know!
I like the black garage for your house, too. I am glad you convinced your dad :)
Will you share your paint choices? I am looking for the perfect non-white white!
Love all of it! The garage door in black will be amazing. So inspirational!
Long time reader, first time commenter…I love the new addition and I never knew I could be so excited for someone I’ve never met (though I did work with Dixie Todd on an event once and she raved about you). The pantry hardware is TDF and I find it strange that I’m more anxious to see those installed over everything else :)
Book pre-ordered! The off-center window is NBD! Leopard print 5ever!
Emily
Agree with Carole Gee. I didn’t even notice the off-center window until you said something, and even then, it is barely even noticeable and that’s me giving it my scrutiny-eye.
And P.S. I’ve been reading you since about 2011, maybe earlier, and this is easily one of my favorite blogs! I love how you talk about your life with the occasional guest posts from Andrew (we haven’t seen him in a while!) in addition to it being fashion, art, and homes homes homes galore including yours!!
ABSOLUTELY black garage doors!!!! You won’t be sorry. I was so happy when I finally painted our black. Our garage was more like a carriage house and it definitely grounded the structure once the doors were painted black.
Your home is absolutely gorgeous!!!!! So happy for you!
Yes, black doors!!
I’ve been wondering ever since you first mentioned that off-centered window: any idea why it was originally done that way?? It would drive me crazy too, even though it is barely noticeable in photos.
I just love your reno updates! I cannot wait to see how it all turns out. Someday when I have a home of my own I’m going to fly you to Oklahoma to design my whole house! (Fingers crossed!)
So excited for you, I hope you are enjoying every step. Yes, that little window !!
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Beautiful job! Such a classic New England look. And, as others have said, I never noticed the window. Now, on to the finish line!
I love those door handles! They are going to be absolutely gorgeous. And I agree, paint the garage black!
Am loving all your choices; book spine, floor color, floor plan, finishing details… everything! Those adorable sconces over the dog bed / window seat, is that a reading light for the dogs?
Not only do you have incredible God-given talent, but you also have a magnetizing personality. LOVE your sense of humor. And…everything you share with us on a daily basis!
Wow! Everything is looking fabulous, including your book! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. What brand are your interior doors? I am looking for some paneled but not overly fussy interior doors and yours look great.
Love!….beautiful
Wow that spine IS amazing! The whole cover design of the book is so you! And those brass and crystal cabinet knobs are to die for. Congrats!
It’s been a minute since I last visited your blog – SO excited that you have a book coming out!!
Looking great Erin!! Love the black garage door also, excellent choice.
I love checking out your progress. So excited for you! I think you should run a contest and allow a reader to win a personal walk through, lol. Or maybe give us a virtual tour when it’s complete?
Btw, I think one of the reasons the black works so well with the other house is the multiple garage spaces…..AND the brass/gold (?) light fixtures. You should definitely include those too (the fixtures)!
Beth- that’s the plan!
Looks lovely. That center window looks fine and will be even less noticible because people will be admiring the house. I recommend a tree or two in the front. Plant now as they take so long to grow.
Shannon- it’s the French antique finish!
Beautiful Erin. You should paint all of your exterior doors black. Side door to garage, back doors etc. We did it on our white house with black shutters and its a big impact. Also, hard to tell from pics, but your shutters would look great in a high gloss black(along with doors). Just a thought.
Great architects design.
Your description of staring at the paint samples cracked me up! So did the “running leap,” to the bedroom, haha.
This has been such a fun process to watch. Your home looks absolutely beautiful! The black door will be stunning. I just LOVE those glass doorknobs, too. So pretty!
Looks wonderful! Agree on the black garage door. I think it will ground the space. I’m excited to get my copy of your book. P.S. I never notice the center window until you point it out.
Love it! Is the hardware (brass with glass knob) the “Polished Brass”? I need some small knobs for my built ins, and love that look if I can find them in the right size. Thanks!!
So much fun to see your progress. I’ve been following ever since you bought this house. The first thing I thought when I saw the first picture was: Garage door needs to be black!”
PS – the center window would not be noticed by anyone! Relax.
Carole