Home Exteriors: Before & After
10/23/2012
I try to stay away from Pinterest these days, but while browsing today for some inspiration for the Fall Pinterest Challenge, I came across this image… (see below) which gives me hope. Mostly because, the house we are going to end up buying (when that time comes) is going to most likely look like the “before” house. Basic, old and an eye sore. Before seeing this picture, I would have written off any houses that look like the “before” picture, but now I can see that even the outside of a house can be completely transformed. I think we all focus on the interior of a house and we forget (or at least I do) that the outside can be amazing as well. Plus, we all know that I adore craftsman style homes and that they are impossible to find in central Pennsylvania, but armed with this new inspiration I can turn our future home into a craftsman style house.
Just look at these amazing before and after photos that I’ve pulled together from various places on the web. Travis is probably so glad that I’ve found this new love of transforming a houses exterior, because we’ve seen so many houses that look like these “before”s and right away I say, “I hate the exterior.” but now I will give them a second look.
Sources: Lori May Interiors, DC Curbed, Southern Living, Pretty Old Houses, Parrish Built.
This would of course be something that we would have to save up for, since I’m sure it would be super expensive, but it’s something to think about! Especially if we love the layout and location of the house.
Posted on June 19, 2013 - 24 comments
Filed Under: Inspiration
24 Comments
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October 23, 2012 at 1:13 pm
All I can say is WOW! Those transformations are amazing!
Split levels have grown on me. Growing up in southern DE there weren’t any. When I moved to Chester County, I realized that that’s about all you get. And they all look the same. Nice to know that they don’t have to.
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October 23, 2012 at 1:13 pm
I feel you on not loving the exteriors of houses. Whenever we look at what is on the market (which is pretty often) all we see are plain-jane-box-builds with little to no architectural interest to be seen.
I love the transformation pictures you’ve found showing just how different a house can look. That being said, most of the inspiration houses here would have taken extensive renovations (read: $$$$$) and would not be for the faint of heart. Adding dormers or in some cases extending or lifting the roof of a house is basically like reconstructive surgery for your home.
Good luck on your hunt, but even if you’re willing to give some of the boxier/boring houses another look keep in mind just how much it would cost to build the look you want into it.
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October 23rd, 2012 at 1:13 pm
We wouldn’t change the appearance right away, that would be CRAZY for our wallets. It’s something we’d have to save up for and do WAY down the road. Thankfully I have tons of handy men in my family to help save some of those $!
October 23, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Incredible transformations! I love the first one!
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October 23, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Or you could just move to VA, we have tons of craftsman homes ;)
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October 23rd, 2012 at 2:14 pm
I’m starting to get the hint that you want me to move to VA ;)
October 23, 2012 at 3:15 pm
Ignore that other Ashley, move to Canada! :P
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October 23rd, 2012 at 3:15 pm
hahaha! :P Looks like I need to become a millionaire so I can have a summer home in Canada & a winter home in VA.
October 23, 2012 at 3:15 pm
These are gorgeous! It would definitely be veeeeeery expensive but it’s good to have an open mind!
I agree with Ashley… the right one… move to Canada! haha
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October 23rd, 2012 at 3:15 pm
The one house it looks like they just added paint, a new window & a tiny dormer over the front door. That one looks really do-able & the least expensive option!
If Romney wins the Presidential Election Travis and I might be running for the Canadian border! :P
October 23, 2012 at 3:15 pm
Wow! How cool. That last transformation is awesome :)
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October 24, 2012 at 6:06 am
Ohh Move to Canada. IYou have a new follower from Chile
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October 24, 2012 at 7:07 am
LOVE THESE! We have been looking at homes for a while and I always get bummed when I don’t like the outside look of it. We’ve even thought about building to get that look we want. I will have to keep a more open mind now.
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October 24th, 2012 at 8:08 am
We ALWAYS wanted to build, but the cost of land here is ridiculous. So glad this post helped ease your mind!
October 24, 2012 at 8:08 am
We are actually finding it cheaper to build here (Akron, Ohio). The amount of space we get and it being all new is greatly comparable to buying an older home of the same size. Good luck on your house hunting!!
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October 24th, 2012 at 8:08 am
If we moved about an hour in a half north, It would be possible, since land is cheap in the country, but we unfortunately have to stay by the city. We’d love to build one day though!
If you can build, I’d say build! :)
Thank you! You too!
October 24, 2012 at 10:10 am
It’s really crazy what you can do with a house! Most of the houses where I grew up and now the houses in Staten Island all seem so cookie cutter. Thankfully, neither Joe or I want to settle down where we are now :)
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October 24, 2012 at 1:13 pm
I love these before and afters. It’s like they’re completely different houses.
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October 24, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Such amazing transformations! We definitely want to transform the outside of our house one day too! Here’s to daydreaming! :)
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October 25, 2012 at 10:22 pm
WOW, those changes are so amazing!! The first two are my favorite. I don’t think much about the outside of homes, but this changes my perception!
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October 26, 2012 at 6:06 am
These are great! It’s always good to be reminded that so many things about a house can be changed. I hate it on TV shows when you can tell they hate the house because they hate the decor!
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October 26, 2012 at 11:11 am
Holy freakin crap! Those are some people with way more vision than I have….
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November 1, 2012 at 1:13 pm
I’m right there with you with the craftsman style love. These transformations are amazing and definitely something to consider since craftsman style house generally or somewhat smaller in size. This would be a great alternative. It will be so much fun to see where we all end up some day.
Since everyone is trying to woo you to their state/country, what about Alabama? Mild winters, long summers, amazing sweet tea for all your drink concoctions, and not too shabby bloggers (me)!
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November 1st, 2012 at 3:15 pm
hahah, I actually love the south. I’ve never been to Alabama, but I’ve been to Tennessee and I loved it there. :)