tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post6652095812600144184..comments2024-03-14T20:28:02.006-04:00Comments on An Urban Cottage: Greek Revival Exterior Renovation - Before and AfterAn Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-65956166700455672102016-04-06T08:24:42.592-04:002016-04-06T08:24:42.592-04:00and exciting transformation!!! Love each step....and exciting transformation!!! Love each step....Shining Windowshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01963641750301433350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-33576957063804317022016-03-16T02:00:14.167-04:002016-03-16T02:00:14.167-04:00thanks for inspiring me with your work....thanks for inspiring me with your work....Replacement windows Hoppers Crossinghttp://australianaluminiumwindows.com.au/windows/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-78833163950241214032016-01-21T20:45:46.299-05:002016-01-21T20:45:46.299-05:00Just found your blog and have to say that it's...Just found your blog and have to say that it's amazing what someone walking past that before can see with some imagination. A beautiful transformation though I have to agree with commenter Kate, until I read your About Me, I thought you were in uptown New Orleans.Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-48914616793042250312016-01-15T15:39:24.361-05:002016-01-15T15:39:24.361-05:00
I really enjoyed following the progress of your r...<br />I really enjoyed following the progress of your redesign project especially since I am hoping to do something similar:<br />Restore the original (half) porch on a late 18th century house in Cambridge. <br />I gather that your house is in the Boston area maybe even in Cambridge. I wonder if you have tips to share with me and especially if you could tell me who your contractor was. I am in a similar situation: the 1890 survey shows a half porch and there is a door in the front room that goes no where and clearly originally went to that porch. I have a small entry porch now which was damaged when a tree limb came down and since I have to rebuild it anyway I would like to expand the progect to encompass my long standing dream of restoring the porch I was told by the Historical Commission that I would have to apply for a variance but that the fact that I was aiming for historical accuracy would work in my favor. I contacted a few contractors last year but no one really was on fire to do this job so I shelved it. I am once again motivated to get things going and your online log of your restoration and enhancement of your house helped a lot!<br /><br />So if you have time and any ideas for me please get back when you have a moment. Any ideas would be helpful.<br /><br />ARCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-85276399018341147202015-12-09T09:19:27.449-05:002015-12-09T09:19:27.449-05:00STELLAR JOB. I know I'm late to the party, bu...STELLAR JOB. I know I'm late to the party, but good GAWD how remarkable. I have but three questions: <br /><br />1) are the parlor windows under the porch enlarged by you or did you find evidence of windows (nearly to the floor) - either way I like it and consider it an improvement. <br /><br />2) Is it a stove house or are there fireplaces?<br /><br />3) Was there evidence of the Doric Porch?<br /><br />Again, SUPERB .... I hope you've inspired the neighborhood similarly.Preservationisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04714050871463989391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-8776289096816931692015-05-08T15:37:34.826-04:002015-05-08T15:37:34.826-04:00Just found your blog post from Manhattan Nest'...Just found your blog post from Manhattan Nest's posting. . You did such an amazing job! Love how you mixed old with new and kept the historical look. Much love from California!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-44991488950400964292015-03-20T16:20:22.946-04:002015-03-20T16:20:22.946-04:00I have also visited the Cambridge Historical Commi...I have also visited the Cambridge Historical Commission as I start the planning process for our new home. Actually the Cambridge Historical Commission is the top agency of this type in the country, or so I have been told. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05967260708744258155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-56852229398111730672015-03-14T16:06:52.753-04:002015-03-14T16:06:52.753-04:00Wow, what an amazing transformation. I am in love ...Wow, what an amazing transformation. I am in love with the elongated windows that look out onto the porch. The colors you chose fit in nicely here in New England, but the Greek Revival style reminds me so much of New Orleans. Just add a few hanging plants to that porch and you've got yourself a southern charmer! Great job with this. The curb appeal is outstanding.Katenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-21449178560829132632014-10-23T09:14:01.329-04:002014-10-23T09:14:01.329-04:00I absolutely love this transformation. Found your...I absolutely love this transformation. Found your blog while doing a little search this morning on exterior house colors...my husband is dying to paints ours, but picking out the right paint color is proving to be rather daunting to me. Graystone is getting some serious consideration though. Love the colors, columns, the red chimney! Brilliant jobJaclyn Yhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17038259015451250659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-15412924919535507002014-07-06T08:17:50.722-04:002014-07-06T08:17:50.722-04:00Thank you, Esther. I suffered through picking a c...Thank you, Esther. I suffered through picking a color...or obsessed might be a better word. The only tip I could offer is to take to the streets. Walk around some of the nicest neighborhoods of your fine city and look for inspiration. I tend to lean toward dark colors and I think they're handsome. If your house is small, I think it's better to pick colors that are harmonious rather than contrasting but that might be a personal choice. But Providence has so many beautiful homes, I think you'll find the perfect colors.An Urban Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-65979259597274164452014-07-06T00:59:11.002-04:002014-07-06T00:59:11.002-04:00I have to echo what everyone else said: Your house...I have to echo what everyone else said: Your house is gorgeous and it's so interesting to read about the renovation process. <br /><br />I was wondering if you have any tips for picking an exterior color?<br /><br />I have a 1929 bungalow in Providence. It has a screened-in porch so there's not a lot of opportunity for trim, in terms of posts and railings. I've been looking at blues or blue/gray but I just haven't been able to find a color that really hits me. So far, I have 11 sample colors on the side of the house. They're either too light or too dark, too purple or too teal. <br /><br />So now I'm thinking about giving up on blue and choosing a gray instead. I painted my living room and dining room Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter with white trim and I love the way they look. But I was thinking I might need something a little darker outside, and the Graystone looks really sharp. <br /><br />Thanks,<br />EstherEstherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16076517542540421210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-83144163249558521572014-06-02T13:13:34.126-04:002014-06-02T13:13:34.126-04:00Kristen,
It's held up okay and by "okay,&...Kristen,<br />It's held up okay and by "okay," I mean well enough. This is its third year and it looks a little tired. I think all I need to do is wash it down and give it a top coat of the Cabot oil. It's not peeling or anything, it just looks a little dingy. The painters recommended doing it every other year. An Urban Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-86187054365624483412014-06-01T14:17:03.520-04:002014-06-01T14:17:03.520-04:00Hi Steve,
I just love coming back and reading old ...Hi Steve,<br />I just love coming back and reading old posts about your specific choices in your renovation. <br />You have incredible taste! I would like to know how your front porch stain is holding up?<br />(We are in the midst of painting our house, and now the front porch looks like hell!) When renovating, one thing always leads to another!<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Kristen in AtlantaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-66635888236243293322014-05-24T19:09:19.691-04:002014-05-24T19:09:19.691-04:00Thank you so much. Yes, the trim is Silver Chain....Thank you so much. Yes, the trim is Silver Chain. I wanted the color palette to be really harmonious so I chose the lighter gray. A lot of people, even standing in front of the house, refer to it as white. If you look at the last photo, though, specifically at the stairs, you'll notice the first riser above the granite step is still just the primer so you can see it's white. If you want to go that white, take a look at Decorator's White which I think is a chalky white that might work. I'm going paint my back porch ceilings in Decorator's White since it's surrounded by Silver Chain trim. The black of the front door and side lights is Ben Moore ready-mixed black. I hope that helps.An Urban Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-78130729013445961802014-05-24T08:08:33.028-04:002014-05-24T08:08:33.028-04:00Hello Steve - your house is absolutely gorgeous - ...Hello Steve - your house is absolutely gorgeous - you should be proud! I have a question, though. The trim (as in around the windows and columns) is really "silver chain"? I am thinking of painting my house in graystone and I am looking for the perfect white trim. And I don't know if you mentioned it somewhere, but what color is the black for the door? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03106914125478863314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-15470412202406403462014-05-23T18:11:01.880-04:002014-05-23T18:11:01.880-04:00Fred,
Greek Revivals are actually an anti-Colonial...Fred,<br />Greek Revivals are actually an anti-Colonial but it's not uncommon for real estate agents to miscategorize them.<br /><br />I would try Melrose Historical Commission or Society and ask them for what information there might be. I would doubt the Registry of Deeds would have drawings but I could be wrong. If Melrose didn't diagram each house, the Historical Commission might have maps or other documents that show the outline of the house. I'm in Cambridge which has an Historical Commission--separate from the Historical Society--that has a wealth of information. I don't know what kind of architectural details you have on your house but if you're interested in making it look more like a quintessential Greek Revival, I'd be happy to give you some suggestions. There are a lot of variations and I have a lot of photos. I'd love to see a photo if you wouldn't mind sharing. My e-mail is urbancottageblog at gmail dot com.An Urban Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-21681744773628455842014-05-23T14:09:27.315-04:002014-05-23T14:09:27.315-04:00Steve,
Let me begin by saying what an excellent p...Steve,<br /><br />Let me begin by saying what an excellent piece of photodocumentation and storytelling! I was hooked once I began to read it.<br /><br />I stumbled onto your Urban Cottage page as I was researching what kind of home I actually own. As it turns out, it is exactly like your home. It was referred to as a "Colonial" when I purchased it.<br /><br />I wish I had seen your project before because I just had my house resided. Now that I have seen what you have done with your home, my curiosity about the origins and original concept of my home has been piqued.<br /><br />You mentioned going to the historical commission to review the original plans for your home. I live in Melrose, MA. Do you think I would have to visit the Middlesex County Registry of Deeds in Cambridge for that kind of information?<br /><br />Also, what town is your home located (only if you are comfortable sharing that)? Thanks!<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />FredFredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09435377547888208956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-19277661432051105452014-05-17T15:21:44.070-04:002014-05-17T15:21:44.070-04:00hello, i realize i'm a little late to the game...hello, i realize i'm a little late to the game on this post but just found it googling "exterior home renovation" and this is amazing! sorry if you already said this somewhere, but would you care to share how much all of this cost you in materials and labor? it sounds like you did a lot of the work yourself, can you estimate how much money you saved by doing so?? thanks!!Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724285101738396905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-2799610291860878712014-02-21T23:26:27.050-05:002014-02-21T23:26:27.050-05:00I can relate to your exhilarating experience that ...I can relate to your exhilarating experience that you must have had while doing this project. Everything seems to be just perfect. After reading the post it is quite seen that you have an eye for detail, which probably must have been the key ingredient behind this successful magical transformation. Well the efforts have paid in leaps and bound. While doing the gevelrenovatie (facade renovation) of my home at Antwerpen, I dug into some posts for garnishing knowledge on the topic. The research by you is incredible and thanks for sharing all the smallest of activity details in the post here. Congratulations once again for the Urban Cottage.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00062323443253165540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-19945235323509763892014-01-02T07:09:21.738-05:002014-01-02T07:09:21.738-05:00An incredible job done. You have meticulously done...An incredible job done. You have meticulously done the job with eye at each detail. Simply amazing! I recently did gevelrenovatie (facade renovation) at my Antwerpen home which is 40 years old and only doing this part was so interesting and challenging. I can relate to the multifold experience that you may have had. You deserve to be proud of the exterior renovation that you have done.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07598680211812551047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-74986413891384435432013-11-14T00:17:28.533-05:002013-11-14T00:17:28.533-05:00Steve...
What a great project and transformation....Steve...<br /><br />What a great project and transformation. I love the fact that you made the windows larger on bottom as I think that makes entire job appear more symmetrical. Would you be able to share the name of your architect? I have a Greek Revival house on the Cape that needs some work and I love what you and your architect designed.Chris Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11162800511366299020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-74595902353902157432013-07-27T16:31:12.617-04:002013-07-27T16:31:12.617-04:00I don't believe there's a model number. T...I don't believe there's a model number. There are a lot of different options so they're pretty much entirely custom.An Urban Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-39380416930376078962013-07-27T15:00:00.519-04:002013-07-27T15:00:00.519-04:00By any chance do you have the model number of the ...By any chance do you have the model number of the windows. Our house looks similar to yours and we have been hesitant about replacing the window. We have old original windows. Are you happy with yours..By the way I love the new door with the house. It is simpler than the older door and just ties it all together.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-57288250001836577352013-07-27T12:43:57.720-04:002013-07-27T12:43:57.720-04:00The windows are Marvin replacement windows. They&...The windows are Marvin replacement windows. They're aluminum clad on the outside so they're maintenance fee and wood on the inside. I would recommend getting them primed on the inside so you don't have to feel rushed to get them painted on the inside.An Urban Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-87265370731766769192013-07-27T11:30:29.319-04:002013-07-27T11:30:29.319-04:00Hi
Did you do new or replacement windows. They loo...Hi<br />Did you do new or replacement windows. They look great..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com