To paint or not to paint that is the question

I get asked "should I paint my brick?"

My answer is usually "is your brick ugly ?"

If it is then yes paint your brick. I do love a painted brick house so much so that when buying a house I am generally only attracted to an ugly brick house that needs paint. I know I have issues but truly I have rarely left a house Unpainted.

I use two different types of products Benjamin Moore exterior paint the Aura line since it gives a great sheen or Boral Brick Re-Cote Product that has a thick sand like finish that should be rolled on and feathered into the brick. See house below where we used the Boral product.

The house below was a handsome house but I thought the brick was a little orange for the roof color which had a green undertone. Although I love a White House this roof color was better suited for a creme colored paint on the brick. Gas lanterns were added and one set of columns removed. The columns doubled kept you from seeing the new gas lanterns and newly added front door. The original door was a metal door with side lights. Not attractive right? So with a single door with sidelights you have room to do a double door. We had one custom Made out of cypress. Such a beautiful wood and makes the front of the house so much more attractive. Also brought in much needed light for the foyer.

So next time you buy a house with ugly brick or already own one don't be scared to paint the brick. Painted brick is beautiful.

Happy Friday Y'all

Love Where You Live

www.stacyjacobihome.com

Before and After's : It's just the little things that can make a difference

I love to find the good in any house. It is rare that I don't find something redeemable in a house no matter how ugly. The following projects would make most run. I love the things that most people don't see value in and I love the challenge of making it beautiful. This process makes me want to get up each and every day. It's like breathing to me I could talk about design and renovation and building every day. My sweet family has gone thru 15 of those projects with me and probably don't find it as fascinating! I am so thankful that I have had those opportunities to make those homes beautiful. It has made my daughters very forgiving when it comes to a house that needs some help. It would not be unusual for Rachel to provide a list to me when we look at various projects as to what a house needs and what it could be if someone just did a few changes. I don't think you have to spend a lot of money to make some updates. Paint is the least expensive option and can make such a huge impact. Changing a light fixture is like buying some new shoes so even that can make a difference in your space. Sometimes you do need to gut and remove it all and start over as is the case for the bathrooms you will see below. Or replacing doors and windows with new doors again just one simple change can help the space. I hope you have the space you love if you don't call me and we can make it a space you will love to come home to. I hope everyone has a great week. My sweet Chick Fil A husband is returning to Oklahoma and we will miss him until he comes back! Who knows what will have changed at our house while he is away. I have some things I cant' wait to share like painted brick, new front doors and marble counter tops and a farm sink. some great gold cabinet hardware I found at Lowes and some fab lights from Barbra Cosgrove. 

Have a great week!!

Love Where you Live.

Stacy Jacobi Home

sJ

  

This pink brick just needs some Benjamin Moore paint In White Dove 

Before this room just needs some paint and a new light fixture

Finished with just paint and a new light fixture and what a difference it can make

A long metal window and a door replacing this gave better access and view to the pool and backyard.

These Pella sliders are so amazing they can open up on both sides making entertaining easy and great natural light

I am not sure I need to say anything here if you like green tile and pink sinks this bath is for you otherwise it needs more than a few tweaks just a slight gut and redo 

Adding subway on the walls of the shower saves money and the black marble on the floor is beautiful.

This entrance is not attractive and really can't be changed so just changing the door to a double entry makes a big impact

New double doors make the entrance more inviting and help make the two story entrance more appealing

I come across ugly fireplaces daily the client doesn't like the brick or the mantel it's an easy fix with a stucco product

We went right over the mantel with a metal lath and then stucco in a white creme finish looks fresh and updated very little mess and can be done in two site visits

Another bath that needed a face lift and if you can keep the plumbing in the same location you can keep your costs down.

A little marble tile and marble tub surround and doing an under mount tub looks so much better.