Calm, Forward, Straight

Calm, Forward, Straight

Monday, March 4, 2019

Horse Before House Part 7
Nothing to it, but to do it

I quickly realized only way to make the numbers work building my house, was to become the painting contractor. It was also apparent my builder didn't believe I was up to it, although I had experience - (re)painting the interior of a previous home. To his credit, he went forward with our contract despite his misgivings. Not to his credit, the scheduling was a nightmare, and it seemed like he and the sub-contractors took advantage of my not knowing the ropes. Many lessons learned. I ended up completing the job for less than half of the professional quote. It looks great now - fingers crossed it holds up over time.

There's this app called ColorSnap that will let you pick colors from an uploaded photo, then give you the corresponding (Sherwin Williams) paint color info. So my house colors were sourced from photos I took or found.






While I waited for the other contractors to finish their work, I measured walls and calculated paint quantities. Good paint is pricey, and it's better to have a little bit more rather than not quite enough, because I don't care whether it's mixed by a computer or not - another batch won't be exactly the same color.  Luckily, there was a well-timed sale on paint at Lowe's. I thought I had (over)planned everything pretty thoroughly, but the siding guy pointed out that he was getting rid of his staging, and did I need to use it to paint the trim on an inaccessible side of the porch. So this happened...


Skinny walk board 20 ft high. Without a doubt the most nerve-wracking thing I've ever done... (up to that point anyway)

The siding guy kindly let me borrow his (rickety a$$) scaffolding to paint the front gable as well.


This was a close second to the walk board situation. The peak is around 38' up...




Happily - I avoided this scenario :D


Things got pretty hectic with regards to the scheduling around this point of the summer, because the project was running behind. Not due to me mind you, despite the fact that scheduling the exterior painting was completely weather dependent i.e. beyond my control. After a few sessions of painting one-handed while hanging on for dear life, I decided I'd use a lift to paint the back of the house, which had no conveniently placed porch roof.

Lowe's rented the equipment, and I figured my life, and/or avoiding breaking my neck was worth the money. As it turns out, once I overcame the learning curve - and oddly enough hooking, unhooking, raising and lowering the unit was harder than operating the thing - it was actually sort of fun - except a few days the wind was blowing. That rig was super wiggly in the wind. But better than fun - it allowed me to concentrate on applying paint rather than avoiding death.

Can I honestly say I was certain the rig wasn't going to freeze, and strand me way the heck up in the air in a tiny bucket needing to be rescued? Definitely not 100%. There was some deep breathing + mind over matter on the first day or two.


This baby got way up in the air when fully extended(!) It also steered with a joystick - like a flipping video game.




While I painted the exterior, the sheet rock crew finished the interior walls to ready them for painting. I naïvely assumed painting the interior was going to be easier than the exterior hahaha... let's just say trim painting ain't my b*tch. Next post - the kitchen. (!!!)


There was SO. MUCH. DUST.


Various stages of floored and trimmed, or not


Getting there ❤️

29 comments:

  1. Looks GREAT! I've spent some quality time on rickety ladders with paintbrushes - but wow girl you is BRAVE.

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  2. I love all of those soft earthy/beachy tones! Perfection. And the interior with the walls up is so open and light feeling. Very lovely!

    And yeah...to climb around on that type of scaffolding you basically have to have zero fear of heights. My husband is a contractor and is so unbothered by anything heights-related. It's insane. But I guess is good for business lol!

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    1. Never had a fear of heights, and my balance is decent, but there was a physiological reaction that I had to overcome. Once I put headphones on and got to work, it was even enjoyable. I was more suspect of the equipment than myself lol.

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  3. Your are one brave, bad ass woman. I'm petrified of heights - no way I could convince myself to step foot on that scaffolding or walk board. The machine though that looks like fun. Those colors you chose are gorgeous.

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  4. I my goodness I love the colors you chose, and you are very brave to paint all the way up there. I am not particularly afraid of heights but I would have still been really nervous. The house is looking so fantastic!!

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    1. In retrospect - picking one color for the whole interior would have been easier (and more cost effective), but I am super pleased with the result.

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    2. True.... but I love houses where each room has a distinct feel. I would have wanted to do what you did too!

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  5. I can’t believe you did all the painting! Wow! The colors are gorgeous, so natural and serene. I’m very intrigued by the roofing I see in the photo where you’re painting the exterior upper level windows. What kind of roofing is that? I love it!

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    1. I used Owen's Corning architectural shingles. Supposedly they'll hold up to the conditions here on the coast. And serene is exactly what I was aiming for with the colors. :D

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  6. Holy wow that house is GORGEOUS!!! I just love all the colors you picked! I wouldn't have been able to do the exterior though, I'm so afraid of heights I cannot get up an 8 foot ladder to our roof. Just looking at the open metal stairs in our building's fire escape makes me super anxious. But what a story you have to tell! Also the only thing worse than painting trim is sheetrocking/taping/floating ceilings. That's well worth it to have someone else do!

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    1. Oh - SO much respect to the sheetrock and mud guys. Those are terrible jobs. Not just hard, sweaty and filthy, but hazardous with the super-fine dust from the sanding. It was really hot when they were there, and no one seemed to be wearing masks. I was hoping they all had good insurance.

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  7. I am loving this series so much. I get excited every time there's a post! Honestly, I wish it had been one of those HG series!
    You are badass for painting the exterior. I am so impressed. I would have come and painted the trim just for being able to spend time on your beautiful property (I like painting trim). If you need to repaint let me know.......

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    1. Oh you should definitely come visit sooner - praying that my paint job lasts for a long time. Though we do practically share a birthday... (insert raised eyebrow emoji here)

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  8. Looks fab! I love painting myself, people always think I’m crazy lol

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    1. I enjoy it too. You can see the fruits of your labor immediately. Very satisfying!

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  9. You are a far braver person than I! I would never be able to paint the outside like that lol

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    1. Ha - I think we were opposite coast intersecting in the blogosphere - just commented over at your place lol!

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  10. i love all those colors!!! and yea, agreed with everyone else - major props for taking on such a huge and daunting job!

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  11. My dad has a bucket truck. As kids it was always super fun when he'd bring it home and let us go up and down in it. I would definitely have rented the lift for the whole outside though. That scaffolding was terrifying. I'm with you though: I'd rather paint than pay someone to do it. I painted apartments for a bit of money after college and always enjoyed it.

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    1. I'm admittedly too type A to let someone else paint my place lol...

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  12. The colors are amazing! I think the scaffold part sounds fun and glad you were safe! I hate painting so much that when I did my (very tiny) house interior I just used my paint sprayer and walls and ceiling are the same color. I hate trim. Amazing work!

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    1. The laundry room is orange-ish, with an orange rug and orange accents ;D

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  13. Love all the colors! It's looking awesome. I actually like to paint and have been doing my own for years. I would never have got on that scaffold or walkway but the bucket thing looks like fun. You're very brave and talented. Can't wait for the finished project. I'm so very impressed by all you've done on your own too.

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    1. Probably more accurately - poor and foolish lol. Thanks A <3

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  14. O wow... so gorgeous.
    Echoing everyone else re:your bravery.

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  15. There is NO WAY I could do that skinny walk and that painting way up high. I love your color scheme, too. So perfect for where you live — picking up the ocean theme.

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  16. Hi I hope you're well! a final update would be nice x

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