This house has become my second job! I'm like a crazy person in the evenings making selections and evaluating decision opportunities so that we are prepared for our contractors when they need to move forward in a particular area. (Note: I know I'm a picky client but hopefully I'm a good one:))  So here is update #4 of the lakehouse renovation journey!

Let me remind you how BLAH the house is from the outside.  BLAH as in ZERO exterior architectural interest! Just being honest... 

Initially, we knew we would be replacing the roof and gutters but we were going to keep the white vinyl siding. 

I wanted a metal roof but had to save some money here so went with the shingles. I actually love this shingle - a mix of black and grey. 

After slicing and dicing the white vinyl siding to make room for lots of new windows, our contractor quietly asked us to consider replacing the vinyl.  Haha.  I looked at the pile of vinyl he was going to try and resurrect and I couldn't be mad at him for asking. Budget buster #1. 

Making the decision to replace the vinyl siding opened up a whole new pandoras box. For budget and easy long term maintenance reasons, we decided to stay with the vinyl.  However, the choices available these days was a very pleasant surprise! 

I turned to Pinterest and Houzz for some visual assistance. 

I loved the mix of cedar shake and vinyl siding on this house. 

But I figured if we really wanted to take this opportunity to make the house look different, we should do some board and batten siding like this: 

So I ended up choosing a white board and batten vinyl siding mixed with a cedar shake vinyl in color FLINT ( a light grey) for the upper gables of the house.  I chose the type of cedar shake that is more even in size and texture for a more contemporary look. 

My contractor, Kyle with RCM in Robbinsville, then reminded me I needed to select the front door (see what I mean? Endless decisions!) Let me remind you all that I am an expert at making swift, skilled decisions for my CLIENTS. When it comes to selections for my own home I am a paralyzed deer in the headlights!!

But I got no time to be dily dallying so here we go! I chose a Craftsman style door with a 3-Lite glass from Pella. 

BUT LET'S REMEMBER WHO'S HOUSE THIS IS.... 

WHAT COLOR WILL THE DOOR BE? 

WOOHOOOO!

LET'S RECAP.....  Black and grey shingles, white board and batten siding, light grey cedar shake vinyl in the gables, yellow craftsman door.   What next?

Black Gutters of course!!!

And this black lantern at the front door I found on Build.com. 

Some more exciting news... the front was bumped out to make room for a "real staircase" on the interior so now the exterior isn't quite so BLAH.  Mike and I are kinda arguing about that tree in the front. I think it has to go. I hope I win.... Update to follow:) 

I've spend SO MUCH TIME selecting furniture a) before our manufacturers cut off for holidays deliveries b) to allow a 6-8 week lead time and c) to have one big delivery with my movers (there isn't exactly a plethora of receivers and movers in the tiny town of Robbinsville so everything is coming from Atlanta.)

COUNTDOWN TO A THANKSGIVING MOVE IN!

Next up on the decisions list: 1.  Which fireplace logs? 2. Kitchen cabinetry layout 3. Hardware for all cabinetry 4. Approving the Fantasy Brown marble slab for the master bathroom 

Did I mention that we are leaving for Europe in 1 week for a long awaited family adventure?

Yeah, I'm feeling a little crazy right now...

Stay with me on this journey!

Kelly