This update covers a lot of ground because the exterior of our house has changed in many ways since we painted the brick white with breathable masonry paint last year. It remains my favorite makeover so far, but the exterior was still a work in progress after the paint job. Here’s a clear recap of what we’ve done over the last 12 months: a new path, an awning, updated porch lights (which we lowered when we installed the awning), and several landscaping improvements—plus a few remaining tasks we’re still tackling.
Let’s start with a look back at the “before” photos since the contrast is still striking to me. I remember my dad seeing a photo of the painted house and texting in all caps because he didn’t recognize it—he thought we had moved. That still makes me laugh. But fast-forward to now: these photos were taken just a few days ago, so this is the current view outside.
Comparing recent shots to ones from last fall shows several visible updates. We felt the area above the door looked a bit flat from certain angles, so we decided to add a modest awning—not a huge portico, but a graceful canopy to better define the entry.
We sourced an 8-foot sloped awning from a company overseas because it matched the look we wanted more closely than anything available domestically. After comparing multiple local quotes, importing the ready-made product ended up being more affordable than commissioning a custom version locally. The awning arrived well packed, and its thoughtful design includes a hidden drip edge so rain funnels to the sides instead of pouring on someone standing at the door. So far, it’s performing beautifully and gives the facade more personality.
Another big change is that we removed the original large portico. I loved that it came with the house and was glad to repurpose the railings at our duplex, but the house reads more classic and balanced without that oversized structure. We haven’t missed it—packages are left near the garage under a slight overhang and we typically enter through the garage—so removing it felt like the right move for our lifestyle.
We also planted a new tree on the left side of the yard to balance an existing dogwood on the right. We chose a river birch that thrives in our neighborhood’s conditions; it will be especially beautiful when it leafs out in spring. In the beds, existing plants have filled in, I trimmed the formal hedges to look a bit less rigid, and I added three peonies found at a local store. The beds will look much fuller come spring when everything blooms.
On each side of the steps we added a white hydrangea, though they’re currently bare—our local deer can be relentless, and they browse these shrubs whenever they’re in bloom. I still love the look of white hydrangeas paired with boxwoods, so I’ll keep trying deterrent strategies while hoping for blooms next year.
One of the most dramatic improvements is the new bluestone path and landing. Bluestone remains my favorite natural stone for outdoor projects—it’s elegant, durable, and in our area it was more affordable than alternatives like slate or fieldstone. Installed bluestone typically runs about $10–$13 per square foot including materials and professional labor, so getting a few estimates helped us plan the project and find a contractor we trusted. The widened steps and the bluestone landing now create a much more welcoming front entry.
We also addressed some discoloration on the brick risers of the steps by priming and repainting with a breathable masonry product that matches the house. That correction eliminated yellowish stains caused by an earlier, non-breathable latex application and restored a uniform finish.
New lantern-style porch lights were relocated and lowered to better flank the door now that the awning is in place. We patched the brick holes left by the old portico and aligned the lights so their centers line up with the door’s cross rail for a balanced look. The larger, less narrow lanterns suit the updated entry much better.
What’s next: we’ve ordered new louvered shutters in a tonal color rather than black. They’re currently on order and will be installed and painted when temperatures allow. We plan to add operable hardware so they read as authentic shutters, similar to ones we installed at another property.
Beyond shutters, we’ll continue refining the front landscaping over time—tweaking hedges, experimenting with plant placement, and slowly evolving the beds until they feel right. I’m especially excited to see the river birch and dogwood fill in next spring so the whole yard looks greener and more cohesive.
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