JRC's Nightmare on Elm Street (lots of pictures)

[JRC]

I really like this new scheme. Really like it.

The gable window looks fantastic, and I think the second-story windows would look great that way too.

I definitely think the brackets deserve to be picked out, but I find the contrast between the bittersweet/persimmon color and the creamy color to be a tad too strong. Maybe if you painted the entablature of the porch in the cinnamon/cocoa brown/tan it would be nice ?

MKD

Thanks! I really hate those old storm windows for real reasons, but they also get in the way of properly Photoshoping the original windows!

I want to keep the columns/corner boards and the entablature the same color to emphasize the classical elements of the design. I think painting the verticals and horizontals different colors would take away from that. But I definitely agree that the orange against the cream (I like your description of the colors better, but I'm keeping it simple ) is too much contrast. What if the brackets were the same brown as the gables? I'll have to wait until Tuesday to test this color scheme in Photoshop.

This most recent scheme is much more brave than ours! I love how every color combo you have tried has accentuated the lovely windows. Let's face it, any color combo that you use on this great old home is going to do it justice

The neighbor down the street, who renovated his house--and has helped many others in the neighborhood--says that if I want to fix the house up "the right way," I need to replace all the windows. (and tear out all the plaster so I can properly insulate and run new wiring) But I really like the windows. Only the front windows have the divided lites in the upper sashes, so I want to make them pop.

[lovesickest]

Don't listen to that "helpful" neighbor, whatever you do !

[JRC]

Just a quick post. Here is the house with brown corbels.

[melissakd]

I see your point about the vertical versus horizontal elements. I like the brown corbels in the new pic. A softer tint/shade of the orange might work too. Either way, I like the orange on the sash with both the green siding and the brown shingles.

Your neighbor has no clue. Replace the windows, indeed. Humph.

MKD

[JRC]

Thanks for the reply!

I haven't looked at any of these colors for a week now, and it still looks good to me. So, I think I will stick with this latest color combo. (although I'll probably tweak the colors a little) I'm still not sure I like the painted corbels, though.

As for my helpful neighbor, I'm sure he has plenty of good practical advice. But I'm going to take it with "a grain of salt" and decide on a case by case basis whether it's the right thing for a restoration. (as opposed to a renovation)

[Fanner]

I like that the corbels stand out, maybe they could be painted the green or more "reddish" color? Yes, I am decoratively/grammatically/color challenged

[abigailocd]

beautiful house! colors look nice and making the window stand out is a great idea. just my humble opinion one suggestion, trim that bush down so you can see the pretty entryway/door

[JRC]

beautiful house! colors look nice and making the window stand out is a great idea. just my humble opinion one suggestion, trim that bush down so you can see the pretty entryway/door

Thanks!

That bush--and all vegetation along the porch--is gone, to make room for fixing it up. Unfortunately, the door is currently a Lowe's/Home Depot special, and the sidelites are boarded over. But, I will be changing that eventually.

[JRC]

I like that the corbels stand out, maybe they could be painted the green or more "reddish" color? Yes, I am decoratively/grammatically/color challenged

Thanks for your opinion on the corbels. I tried having them the same orange as the window frames, and didn't care for that. (if you didn't see it, I have a picture of that several posts back)

[JRC]

Wish I had more of an update, but I'm still just sorting through the junk. (and, when it gets too hot to stay in the attic, I go downstairs to slowly tear out the plaster covering the broken cast-iron waste stack.)

Last weekend, I took a detour and explored the unfinished room in the attic, and found what I think are some legitimate antiques. Here are some pictures, after I got rid of most of the dust and brought them downstairs:

Possible antique floor lamps:



These are constructed of metal, and painted to vaguely look like wood:



Old chairs--you can almost get an idea of how much dust there was from what's left on these:



Old dressers (with intact mirrors!)


I almost hope this one isn't worth a lot of money! I wouldn't mind keeping it.

This one was already downstairs, and was being used:


There were a number of old heaters. (I guess the house got quite cold before they installed the "modern" furnace) These are gas heaters, but I found an old electric heater with a big copper dish reflector, and a cloth covered electric cord. (I just noticed, you can see this thing in the pictures of the chairs.)


Front


Back. Made in Mansfield, Ohio!

Hopefully, this stuff is worth a lot of money, so I can finance some improvements.