This week I kept working on the curb appeal at our 1930s cottage, and this round of progress changed the exterior more than I expected. I removed the shutters, added white trellises, worked on the landscaping, and tried to bring back some cottage charm while staying on budget.
It’s not the final exterior reveal, but this was one of those weeks where a few thoughtful changes made the house look completely different. I’m still figuring things out as I go, but the front of the house is finally starting to feel softer, more classic, and more in line with the character of the cottage.
If you enjoy old house renovations, cozy design, budget-friendly curb appeal, and realistic DIY progress, I’m glad you’re here.
#oldhouserenovation #curbappeal #cottagehome #budgetrenovation
49 Comments
I would research the original design of the front porch. I don't think the iron work is orginal. White wood posts would probably enhance the cottage look. Along with white wood railings.
Looking great
Very nice!
Just getting rid of those shutters was 100% better!❤
You definitely need a power washer not an expensive one, you can get them reasonable at Lowes my husband got me one and I cleaned both of my decks it was fantastic.
Before planting, you should have power, washed the foundation and the front porch and steps. That foundation also need to tuck pointed for preservation. You could use concrete paint on the foundation and the porch and steps or a pebble texture or if your climate provider a tile for the porch. The support posts can be enclosed two form columns. Less expensive than replacing Support entirely. I, too, have a 1930s house. Mine is in the Midwest.
Plants growing up any house will ruin the house and I wouldn’t do it ever. But best of luck to you😊
Put the shutters back up. No trellis on house. Whatever grows up on trellis makes a mess on the house. Otherwise, good.
Pressure wash your steps and.paint the railings black. Put a cute scalloped edging in front of the flower bed. So cute.
Be cheerful !😊❤️
Too much time looking at your feet scrubbing steps
Love your house! You have a very good instinct for design. Can't wait to see all you do to this darling white cottage. Find a good architectural salvage store for supplies and inspiration.
It looks beautiful! Painting the steps and the wrought iron white, would blend it all together as well. Also, I know a lot of people don't care for artificial plants but I purchase some small artificial cedar bushes and planted them in square white containers on either side of the front door and they look beautiful. I also stuck some artificial boxwood around my foundation. Now I don't have to water them either or depend on sunlight. You cannot tell but artificial plants have come a long way
Looks very nice.
OMG!!! Like your channel….but I thought watching you cleaning the concrete steps would never end😅😅😅😅😅!!!
Love this! I'm doing similar makeovers and deciding on shutters versus other accents. I just downsized to a cottage. I added a couple of window boxes which did the trick! I did a short video about it on my channel. Adding more landscaping a little at a time and working on increasing the cottage look and curb appeal. Great job with the addition of your lattice! ❣️
Looks great so far.
Looks very pretty.
Looks great! I’d clad the supports with pressure treated lumber & paint them a different color from the house
Hello, I'm a new subscriber. I love this kind of content. excited to see how it all turns out. See you in the next one
Looking good!!❤😊
It looks lighter and airier very pretty 😍
Topiary – tree roses. I absolutely love them. They do need pruning yearly to keep their shape. Can also be grown in large pots.
Love it!
Why didn't you paint the foundation blocks? Screen doors are much truer to the age of your home than storm doors. Brick pavers to cover porch, steps and recycled brick for sidewalk.
I would paint the exposed foundation with a good concrete paint. And the same with the steps and the porch floor. Love the flower beds.
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Very nice. Like what you have done so far. I’m an interior designer and something very inexpensive you could do until you get the budget later on to put wood columns, etc. as some have suggested is: …You can paint your metal trellis columns and rails on the porch and with white Rustoleum and then put the same white lattice on the gable end of your porch. Then you can plant jasmine on either side on the porch columns. Train it up your porch columns, and gable end. It will give an extremely romantic cottage look. I’ll also have a beautiful scent as you walk through the entrance door. The jasmine will be much easier to remove later if you want to do something with Wood columns later, instead of rambling roses or wisteria, which get too thick. Hope this helps!
The trellis's came out great!!!!! I wish you had pressure washed the foundation and porch before you started. I think you may have to paint the foundation after, but I bet the porch will be just fine in the cement color. You'll put the railing back and add a couple of pretty pots on the steps😊 I pressure wash every spring and it looks great and it's 50 yrs old😅
P.S. can't wait for the window boxes!!!!!!!!
When planting next time water the hole that’s dug before placing the plant in.
it's turning out beautifully..you are on your way…hopefully the trellis plants grow up it will be so pretty.
Yes your vision is what it needs and it will look amazing Don't stop yet You're almost there
gloves
I would suggest painting the porch and steps in a rust color and paint the front door in a blue/green shade to bring in some color.
The Bible tells you that "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Don't paint the concrete….bad idea…..won't last…..then your have peeling look….some Tight…some loose….bad idea. Hard to get completely off.
That is a charming, charming house and (just came across this channel) you have lovely taste. Someone already mentioned not to spray roses, 🌹 lol (a memaw here who did the same thing when I was younger, lol). It's all really pretty and I appreciate that y'all are watching the budget while getting great effect. 🙌🏼
Wow, what a transformation! Looks wonderful, good job 👍🏼
Pressure wash the step a little brush and a garden hose just doesn’t do a good job
You have a wonderful husband, skilled, supportive, and patient!
What a transformation!!! Can't wait to see the topiaries you plant.
The front of your cottage is looking so good. I follow a youtuber, Dainty Dairies. She did a faux brick paint job on her greenhouse floor and outdoor cement wall. It came out really cute and I thought that may be something you want to consider for your front porch. She has 2 videos one from 4 yrs ago named – DIY faux brick concrete cottage floor for less. The other video is from 3 yrs ago named – DIY faux brick feature wall using paint. Can't wait to see what you do.
I literally cannot wait to see the window boxes 🎉🎉🥰🤩😍😍😍😍
everything looks amazing!
I’m brand new to your channel, but I had an old cottage for my first house. I notice that your siding is vinyl, have yall peaked under it yet? The original siding may be under there still. They usually slapped the vinyl over top. You may peek a happy treat! 💜
You should consider doing a faux wood frame around those windows. It would make it look and feel cottage like and cover the ugly metal windows. It wouldnt cost much using bunkie boards from Lowe and just panting them. So a frame with a sash in the middle and they’d still be functional, but cute!
Great start! 👍👍👍
If you invest in topiary, please research those that are hardy for your area. They can be very pricy and more susceptible to weather extremes.
I’ve had good luck with a loosely pruned “topiary “….hearty shrub pruned into a small tree…both in pots and in ground to give some vertical interest without breaking the bank.
You are smart to take your time, shop sales/thrift, use a little elbow grease etc. You can create a lovely home on a budget. Have fun!
It’s already an adorable cottage, good for you and your husband!