Mamie Gets A New Look
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Mamie got herself a brand new look this past week. And it is really, really blue. I think we need to add more peach accents.
Kendra came over Friday just after they finished with the blue paint, and she was concerned that it’s “too blue.” If there is such a thing.
This is what she looked like before:
It’s The Bricks:
I told her it’s because the brick is painted. It was painted when she purchased the house. And once the brick is painted over, it’s hard to get it back to its original state when you’re dealing with a house this old.
If the bricks had been left in their original brick-colored state, that would have broken up some of the blue. It looks great on the siding. But on the bricks it looks pretty bold. However it is done and I’m not writing another check for a redo.
They power washed it, you may recall. But it didn’t knock off the flaking gray paint that was already there as much as it blew the mortar out from in between the bricks. Then we had to get someone to fix that before they could paint.
I told Kendra once we get landscaping against the blue bricks it will soften the look. She’s planning to stain the wood rails she had put up for me to get down the steps. Kendra thinks the look of wood will soften the look as well.
My wicker furniture is on the front porch, but you can’t really see it from where I was taking the photo.
I’ll was glad when they were done painting so I could see out the windows again. Paper was taped over them for days while they painted.
The flaking gray paint is gone, and Mamie has a new look. (Even though it’s a very, very blue look.) I like to think she’s wearing a blue dress with a peach hat.
The Neighbor & Reader Susan:
I met the lady next door. Her name is Tessa. She also likes to garden, but has arthritis in her hands like I do and said it makes it difficult. She did comment on my pretty little Japanese Maple sitting in its pot in the yard. See it over there on the right?
Susan, a reader who lives here in Tulsa, came over last week. This was the second time she’s been here.
Susan got the new green and cream fern rug down in the living room. It takes a while before it will lay flat however. We’re planning to put the blue and white rug in the back room, which I call the sitting room.
Kendra complained that I didn’t have a TV in the living room. What if the kids come over and want to watch TV, she said to me. I said I figured that they watched TV on their laptops. She said they don’t carry their laptops around with them.
Well, heaven forbid someone doesn’t have a darned TV in the living room.
So I’ll put a TV in that south facing room at the back, and whoever wants to watch TV can go back there. I’ve ordered two chairs for the room from Home Depot. I’m hoping they’re comfortable. They look comfortable anyway.
Two blue chairs for the bright blue house!
I’ve learned that sometimes it is what it is. Deal with it, add to it, and do whatever you have to do to live with it.
Kasi’s Birthday:
Yesterday Kasi and I went to lunch. She turned 46 last Thursday. My baby is all grown up! Kendra turns 50 in less than 2 weeks, so I’ll take them both to lunch on a day in between. They have busy schedules, so I just go along with whatever day they can manage to get together.
Kasi came back here and helped me open more boxes in the guest room. I’m going to ask my grandson Riley to put the bed together when he gets home from college for the Thanksgiving break. So I need to get that guest room cleared out before he gets home.
Slowly but surely. That’s what I keep saying to everyone about the house I call Mamie. It will get done. Not as fast as I once moved into a house and settled in. I was much younger and more able back then.
But it will get done and I’ll share photos of Mamie along the way.
Hi Brenda,
I’ve followed your blog for years but very rarely have I commented.
I’ve been as excited as everyone else for your move, watching as you work your magic. I have to say, I love this color. We have one home in our area that’s this very same color and it’s a beauty! Because the color is so striking, it draws your eye immediately. It seems that landscaping is the key to harmony. And if anyone can pull it off, it’s you!
Your sense of style will change everything; can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.
M
She looks gorgeous already!
Mamie looks beautiful! Yes, the blue is bold but I agree that with some landscaping in front and the railings stained, it will soften the boldness.
I really like the chairs you ordered from Home Depot. I’ve been on the hunt for two new chairs for our living room and never thought to look there, so now I will.
I agree a TV in the living room isn’t needed. I don’t think kids are big TV watchers these days anyway – they’re more likely to be on their phones. My mom has never had a TV in her house (she obviously never watches TV and doesn’t like it) and my boys and my nieces somehow survived when visiting her house. And that was the days before kids had phones! They learn how to interact with each other and talk with adults, too.
Have a good week!
Mamie looks beautiful in her blue dress and peach hat! Can’t wait to see what you do with her. I’m very happy for you!
I like the blue … Mamie wears it well. When you add the wood railings and flowers in front it will look delightful. Every time I paint something I have second thoughts because my brain is used to seeing it one way and that’s what it expects. However, after a bit of time it becomes normal and I begin to remember how much I liked the color when I chose it. It’s so much fun (for me) to see how you’re putting Mamie together. Have fun!
I love the color of the house, very cheerful.
Another suggestion would be to spray paint your wicker furniture white that will lighten it up a little bit. Also wants you start planting your flowers the yard will be so pretty and I can see you on sitting on your porch with some iced tea and a good book. I’m so glad you moved and that your former neighbors are visiting. Carol
I’m no expert, but I think several small changes would work out well. If that’s a black mailbox to the right of the door, a larger old fashioned one would even out the off- center door a little. A Craftsman style door with upper windows would look original and very cute. A medium size somewhat narrow potted evergreen like cedar (faux if there’s not a lot of natural light) would also help center the door. I think the body of the house is a great color & I’m sure Mamie would agree. It’s a big change & may just take some time to get used to. Take your time judging the paint color of the door, it’ll tell you. The chairs look like a good choice, very comfortable.
The house is perfect. Maybe if u spray painted the wicker on the porch a shade darker than the door it wld tone down some. And don’t forget about all the plants and flowers that will be out there soon🌷🪻🌺🌸🌼🌻
We are all getting so much vicarious pleasure out of watching you settle into Mamie! We are happy for you and we thank you for sharing your adventure and your joy with us! I guess that Ivy girl was made to live in a house. She has adjusted so well and it sounds like she loves all the space and the windows. Take good care of yourself. Hopefully happiness is a good antidote to pain.
Brenda I think your house looks ADORABLE!!!!! The peach door is a little pale but it is still pretty!!! You can put a pretty CHRISTMAS WREATH up which would not be costly! In the spring your bushes and flowers will just look beautiful!!! I think it makes quite a statement and livens up your neighborhood!!!! Keep up all of your good work and send us more photos when things settle down!!!! GOOD LUCK! Sandee from Fairfax Va.
Mamie looks lovely! Not a fan of the door, but all that matters is if you like it. I hope the handrails are secure. They look flimsy to me.
Yes, that Peach door, lol…It does scream at you don’t it! I guess they will figure it out.
Actually I love the color and it doesn’t look too bright at all. I also think the peach door is wonderful! I suppose the door “could be” brighter, but I like it as is! I’ve seen the color combo before and it looks really nice. I think you’re just used to the blah blue, so this seemed really bright. Happy birthday to your girls. And it’s your house – you put that tv where you want it! 🙂
I think it will indeed take time to get used to the house looking “bright” instead of “drab.”
I think that Mamie is looking mighty fine.
She’s sure looking better! Mamie looked so sad with that gray flaking paint.
I really like the color of the house but I am not as sure about the front door. The color tones seem odd. The blue is such a cool color and the peach is warmer. I would go back to the original plan of a green door.
Thinking about that. The original color Kendra came up with was periwinkle with an apple green door.
That sounds pretty
When I look at the pictures you posted of Mamie, I can see your wicker furniture and I think the dark color grounds the blue and peach. I think after you have all the plants and furniture on the porch and the railing is stained, it will all blend seamlessly. Is there a back patio or porch?
A small back deck. I don’t know that there’s room to put much of anything on it. Right now it has plastic tubs of seasonal stuff that will eventually go to the shed when there’s more of a floor put down.
Hi Brenda- I love the blue house and I don’t think it is too dark. Not so sure about the peach door, it seems too light compared to the house. I might have thought about yellow. My daughter in San Francisco painted her house a similar blue and painted the door red with white trim. They get a lot of compliments on it. I think any new color especially one darker takes some getting used too. I look forward to seeing lots of pictures of progress when you get all the boxes unpacked. I especially look forward to seeing plants and flowers next summer. But of course more pictures of Ivy would be greatly appreciated.
Linda in chilly and snow tomorrow, Keno, Oregon
I played fetch with Ivy before breakfast and she is off hiding somewhere taking a nap I imagine. But I will capture more photos of her.
Jamie looks very stylish! I love the blue plus the door welcomes you home! I enjoy your blog so much. Thank you for all that you do!!
Its Mamie! Google thinks it knows how to spell! lol
I know. Google fools me all the time.
The blue is fine, don’t like the peach door. White to match the trim would stand out better on the door.
I know. Just letting the dust settle before any other decisions are made. I have enough to do inside.
I love the blue and the peach door is the perfect accent.
I’m going to live with it for awhile.
I love the blue, but the peach isn’t intense enough to hold its own against the blue. Something leaning more toward a rusty yellowish orange might be pretty. It would be a quick project to change it. No painter needed, even I could do it. I’ve painted my outer doors and they look pretty good if I do say so myself. Love the chair too!
Originally Kendra thought apple green for the door. I don’t know.
I think the apple green would look nice.
Its pretty, but if its too bold for you, maybe the brick could be painted white. Thanks for sharing your pictures. I look forward to more.
I thought about that once the paint was on. Not paying for it right now though!