This post is way overdue. After weeks of waiting for the baby bird on the wreath of our front door to grow up, I was finally able to revamp the front porch for some much needed love.
Here’s the cute babies before they left the nest.
Needless to say, my front door was super messy after these visitors.
So many of you LOVED when I shared how we “German Schmeared” the brick on the exterior of our house.
Here’s a reminder of the before.
And here is a “after” photo of what it looks like now. In addition to the German Dchmear on the brick, we painted the shutters and door black. And I built a little arch to go over the door.
Everything needed a good power washing this year after the winter & baby birds in the spring.
So I took it upon myself to clean everything up, and I even added some new plants to the porch. Can you believe that I haven’t killed them yet?! It’s a miracle!
I’ve shared this process on a blog post before, but here’s a quick step by step of how I updated our bricks. It’s been about two years since I did it, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat!
I didn’t clean up, wash or do anything to the bricks before I started. But I DO suggest doing this on a day with good weather, no rain, and try to do this when it’s not 90 degrees outside.
My method started by looking at lots of antique brick I loved. Taking photos of it, and trying to replicate the look. The look I went for was a random splotchy, very bumpy mortar. The main thing about this look is that you have to add the mortar to the cracks.
I just used a generic brand from Lowes. It didn’t have any color to it or anything. Don’t ask me the name because I don’t remember.
Make sure you start on the back of your house so you can really nail down the exact look before you get to the front.
Here’s a photo fo the back stairs. Originally I thought I would just white wash the whole thing, thus this look. But then I decided I liked some brick showing through. So glad I started here instead of the front where it would be more visible.
I’m wearing gloves in this photo.., but I’d be lying to you if I said I I had them on the whole time.
Basically, I would apply to the cracks, then smack it to give that crumbly look.
Make sure to take a step back every now and then to make sure you like your application.
It’s super messy, but oh so rewarding!!!
The end result is SO WORTH IT!
I think my other favorite part of what we’ve done to the exterior is these DIY corbels I added to the porch columns. But that’s a story for another day.
It’s the little farmhouse of my dreams, and I love calling it home.
That’s it for now folks!
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