Welcome back to the ongoing saga of our home’s exterior transformation! It feels like a lifetime since we first embarked on the journey of painting our brick house white with that incredible masonry paint designed to let the brick breathe. If you missed the initial revelation and the nitty-gritty details of that significant undertaking, including the project’s cost, you can find all the information right here. That foundational change undeniably remains my favorite makeover to date, completely reimagining our home’s presence. However, as I’ve often emphasized, painting was just the first, albeit monumental, step in a much larger exterior renovation. Over the past year, we’ve diligently chipped away at numerous projects, breathing new life into every corner of our home’s facade. So, without further preamble, let’s delve into the exciting new additions: the charming path, the distinctive awning, the perfectly placed porch lights (which not only got an upgrade but also a strategic relocation), and a host of other landscaping endeavors that have unfolded over the last twelve months. Of course, the journey is never truly over, and we’ll also touch upon the few remaining elements still awaiting their final touches, because, as any homeowner knows, that’s just the nature of evolving a space you love.
The Incredible Power of a White Brick Transformation
Before we fully immerse ourselves in the present-day details, it’s always worthwhile to take a moment to reflect on the “before.” Every time I see the initial photos, I’m genuinely astounded by the dramatic difference. The transformation is so profound that it even perplexed my own father! I vividly recall a text message from him last fall, typed entirely in capital letters: “YOU MOVED AND DIDN’T TELL ME?!?!?” He had stumbled upon a picture of our freshly painted white house on Facebook and simply couldn’t fathom it was the same residence. He genuinely believed we had relocated without informing him – it was, without a doubt, my favorite text exchange of 2018 and a testament to the power of a bold exterior makeover.
But enough with the nostalgia; let’s bring ourselves back to today. These photographs were captured just a few days ago, offering a current glimpse into how our home’s exterior now presents itself. The changes are truly remarkable, and comparing them to photos from last fall further emphasizes the scope of our progress. We initially felt that the area directly around our front door appeared a little flat from certain perspectives. This led us to envision adding a subtle architectural element above the door – a graceful, understated awning – to provide more definition without overwhelming the facade. Our goal was certainly not to replicate the massive old portico we had removed during the painting process but rather to introduce a touch of elegance and visual interest.
The Search for the Perfect Awning: A Global Endeavor
This brings us to the show-stopping awning, a piece we meticulously sourced and had shipped all the way from the United Kingdom. Yes, you read that correctly! While it might sound like a procurement strategy reserved for pop stars, I had absolutely fallen in love with several inspiration images featuring this specific style of sloped, gracious awning on white brick homes. The challenge was finding a ready-made option that even remotely resembled my vision within the local market. My exhaustive search eventually led me to this particular design from a company in the United Kingdom.
Initially, I naturally assumed that purchasing a domestically produced awning would be more budget-friendly. To confirm this, I diligently consulted with several local professionals and online awning companies for custom quotes. To my astonishment, every single quote to replicate the beloved U.K. design came back two to three times more expensive than simply absorbing the international shipping costs to have the original sent directly to our doorstep. It was, quite frankly, an insane discovery! We were receiving quotes in the range of $3,000 to $4,000, while the unique U.K. option, including shipping (factoring in exchange rates at the time of purchase), amounted to approximately $1,500. Given that our front door features sidelights, we needed a substantial piece; this awning spans an impressive eight feet wide, making it quite a substantial structure. When it arrived, it came housed in a colossal wooden crate that we affectionately nicknamed “The Coffin” for months before we finally unboxed and installed it.
While I am a fervent advocate for supporting local artisans and professionals—something we do 99.9% of the time when creating custom pieces—this particular situation presented a compelling exception. The assurance that this U.K. company routinely manufactures and installs this exact product without complications provided immense peace of mind. In contrast, commissioning a local vendor to attempt a first-time copy might have introduced unforeseen challenges with production, functionality, or long-term durability, such as warping or flexing. This established expertise was a significant factor in our decision. Furthermore, the awning boasts a remarkably clever design, featuring a hidden drip edge subtly sloped across the front. This ingenious detail ensures that rainwater funnels neatly off each side, preventing it from streaming directly onto anyone entering or exiting the door. So far, we remain exceptionally pleased with our purchase and the thoughtful engineering behind it.
Let’s take another quick mental leap back to a “before” shot from this precise angle; it truly never ceases to amaze me. Just look at that colossal, rocket-ship-like portico that once dominated the front of our home! While it was certainly a defining feature when we bought the house, we’re delighted that its original railings found a new lease on life at the duplex – it truly felt like they were meant to be repurposed there! You can discover more about that transformation here. Removing that bulky structure has undeniably given our home a far more classic and understated elegance, a look that resonates much more deeply with us. We’ve now lived without it for over a year and haven’t missed it in the slightest. Packages are conveniently left by the garage, which benefits from a slight overhang, so its absence hasn’t impacted daily functionality. Moreover, we consistently use the garage for entering and exiting, meaning we’re never left standing in the rain while fumbling with keys. These are practical considerations worth noting if you’re contemplating removing a large overhang from your front door. My best friend, for instance, frequently uses her front door, and the lack of a substantial awning or overhang would, without a doubt, drive her absolutely crazy!
Thoughtful Landscaping: Nurturing Our Front Yard
This photo also reveals another significant update: we planted a new tree! Located on the left side of the frame, this addition beautifully balances the existing dogwood tree positioned towards the right side of the house. We once had a second dogwood gracing our front yard, but it sadly succumbed a few years ago. This past fall, we opted for a river birch, a species we see thriving throughout our neighborhood, seemingly adoring the local conditions. These trees are genuinely gorgeous, even if fall finds them in their less-than-charming “stick mode” (a seasonal struggle, to be sure!). I eagerly anticipate sharing even more photos of our entire front yard in the spring when both the dogwood and our new river birch baby are lush, green, and vibrant once again.
Beyond the tree, we also dedicated more effort to the front garden beds. Primarily, existing plants from last year have simply matured and filled in beautifully. I also took a pair of clippers to those rather rigid-looking ball hedges, encouraging them to adopt a slightly shaggier, more natural appearance, moving away from their previous resemblance to the large red cement spheres found outside Target stores. Additionally, we incorporated three peony plants, a serendipitous find during a trip to Costco. For those inspired to cultivate these magnificent blooms, you can find some excellent pro tips for growing peonies. While they’re not distinctly visible in the smaller bed on the right side of the frame right now, rest assured that should they burst into bloom this spring, I’ll be sharing approximately 347 photos of their splendor!
On each side of our front steps, we also introduced a white hydrangea bush. Currently, like many deciduous plants, they’re in their “stick mode” for the winter. However, I must admit to a recurring struggle: despite my best efforts and trying every deer deterrent method known to man, our local deer, while undeniably sweet, are absolutely savage when it comes to plant buffets! They treated these hydrangeas like a personal salad bar during the summer, consuming them just as they were entering their magnificent full bloom phase. It’s an ongoing battle, but I simply cannot abandon the vision of a glorious row of white hydrangeas nestled alongside boxwoods in those front beds. Oh well, I tried, and the dream persists!
Crafting a Welcoming Entry: The Bluestone Path
Now, let’s turn our attention to the front path – a project we enthusiastically discussed at length on the podcast (you can find more details here). Below, you can see it in all its finished glory, and we are absolutely thrilled with how it turned out. Bluestone consistently ranks as my favorite outdoor stone, and the most delightful surprise was discovering its affordability compared to many other natural stone options available for paths and patios. For instance, when I received local quotes, slate and fieldstone were roughly twice as expensive as bluestone for the same application.
For those considering a similar project, bluestone typically ranges from $10 to $13 per square foot for professional installation, a price that generally encompasses both the material and skilled labor. To get a rough estimate for your own project, simply measure the square footage you envision covering. Remember, though, that obtaining multiple estimates and meeting with various professionals is a crucial step to ensure you find someone whose vision and working style align best with yours. We’ve learned this lesson firsthand, and it’s a step we’ll never skip again, as highlighted in this podcast episode.
Speaking of alignment and vision, I recall a previous post, when we first painted the brick white, where I shared an image of Reese Witherspoon on her front steps, expressing our dream of topping our own steps with thick stone, much like hers. I think I managed to nail the pose!
Please take a moment to appreciate a few key details in that photo: 1) my perfectly closed eyes, capturing a moment of intense concentration; 2) the fashion choice of wearing John’s shirt, primarily because my entire wardrobe is a sea of black; and 3) Burger’s absolute, unwavering desire to bark furiously at a dog that happened to stroll past our street at the exact second the shutter clicked. Also, if you look closely at the larger image of me channeling Reese, you might notice some discolored, yellowish marks on the brick “risers” of the steps. This photo was taken a while ago, before John meticulously primed and repainted them with Romabio to correct a previous issue. Unfortunately, the initial professional we hired had mistakenly used latex paint on our steps instead of our specified breathable masonry paint – a frustrating oversight! You can hear the full, detailed story of this mishap and its resolution in this podcast episode. I’m happy to report that, thanks to the primer and the application of the correct paint, the steps now look fantastic again, completely free of any yellow tint or stain seepage.
This photograph, taken just a few days ago, vividly illustrates the successful transformation. The steps now perfectly match the house, and those oddly beige spots are completely gone. For a clearer comparison, scroll back up and examine the larger picture of me and Burger; you’ll notice a vertical seam in the brick to the right of my left shoulder that previously appeared distinctly yellow. We also seized the opportunity to widen the steps before adding the bluestone caps, a project expertly handled by the same professional who installed the stone. They are finally the graceful, welcoming stairs I’ve always envisioned leading up to our front door. This extra mile cost around $450, and it was an investment we are absolutely delighted we made, as it truly enhances the overall aesthetic and functionality of our entrance.
For context, here’s one more look at the original setup, just to refresh your memory. The steps used to awkwardly pinch inwards, always feeling oddly narrow and uninviting.
…which makes the current open and expansive feeling all the more gratifying. Now, they perfectly align with the width of the landing above and seamlessly connect to the generous bluestone area we added below, creating a truly grand and inviting entrance.
Illuminating the Entrance: New Porch Lights
In these updated views, you can also spot our relatively new lanterns, which we installed last winter. We opted for a larger, less narrow design, and their new placement makes an enormous difference. Initially, we had simply hung them to fill two exposed holes in the brick after removing the old portico. However, once the awning was installed, that initial placement appeared extremely high and rather peculiar. It felt incredibly satisfying to finally get those brick holes professionally patched and to position the lanterns in a manner consistent with other door-flanking lights throughout our neighborhood. For those curious about best practices, it appears to be common practice to align the middle of the light fixture with the cross rail of the door – that horizontal plank of wood typically found about 12 inches from the top of the door. We followed this guideline, and the result is aesthetically pleasing and perfectly balanced.
What’s Next: Adding the Perfect Shutters and Future Landscaping Dreams
As for what’s next on our exterior agenda, many of you who follow our podcast have already heard the exciting news: we’ve had a sudden moment of clarity regarding the reintroduction of shutters! You can tune into this podcast episode for the full story behind this decision. This time, however, we won’t be opting for traditional black. We’re incredibly excited by tonal inspiration images, envisioning a subtle yet impactful hue that will complement our white brick beautifully. Our new shutters are currently on order. It might be a few more weeks, or even months if the weather turns too cold for painting, but I absolutely cannot wait to share the photos with you all once they are finally installed. We’ve selected these exact louvered shutters, and we have high hopes for their impact, especially considering how wonderfully they turned out at the duplex. I’m also keen to add operable hardware, mimicking the functional charm we achieved there.
Beyond the shutters, our front yard landscaping remains an evolving project. While the “Target ball” bushes are thankfully less intense since my vigorous pruning session with the clippers, they still aren’t my absolute favorite. I’m confident that over the next few years, the landscaping will continue to slowly transform. Perhaps one day I’ll even crack the code on successfully growing white hydrangeas without the deer treating them as a gourmet meal. But honestly, if that ever happens, you might never see photos of anything else again! I’d probably launch an entirely new blog called Hydrangeas & White Brick, featuring a new angle every single day, interspersed with musings on life and inspiring quotes. Actually, I think I’d totally read that blog myself!
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