help me tart the front up please

3 years ago

House goes on the market in a few weeks (eek!) and the weather has been massively against me so I've not been able to do any outside painting at all. It's such a shame.
We did have the drive done and new fencing (not painted yet but will be anthracite when they weather gets better!) but I'm left with an uninspiring front entrance that is to the side of the house.
Plan is:-
1) to get the old crack in the paint on the lintel repaired above the door but do I paint this a different colour? I have no matching paint to the house.
2) put some tall light grey planters to go either side of the door (got to decide what shrub to put in them?)
3) new letterbox as missing the front flap but what colour? It doesn't appear you can get anthracite grey which is weird! I could paint one though?
Anything else?
Can't afford to replace the door. Yes I could paint it but again - timescale and weather is not ideal 😔
Thank you

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Tani H-S
Original Author

3 years ago

So the lintel needs another coat of paint but I ended up having to scrape off all the old paint and do repairs to it 😬 took me a day, urgh.

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Comments (78)

pannacotta
3 years ago
Just a thought, but have you looked on ebay/Gumtree/FB for a replacement door? I do think it would make a huge difference and needn't cost a huge amount if you can find one second hand. I sold old sturdy patio doors on Gumtree for £70 (they cost about £500 new).

Good luck.
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
@pannacotta yes Ive checked the listings regularly but I would want a specific type ie anthracite and with two straight glass panels at the top.

I do have some paint that will go over upvc so it depends if I get chance to paint it or not. The OH flatly refuses to replace the door though unless it was a couple of hundred,, 🤣

On a sad note, I started painting the front fence today as was sunny and dry and only 40% chance of showers at 4pm.

It's absolutely peeing it down 😭😭 so that's all ruined now 😓
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minnie101
3 years ago
Oh no Tani 😢 😢
Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
It looks great, and I also quite like the pebble dash, the roof looks really smart. I'm sure you'll sell it quickly you've done wonders with it. Sorry to hear about your father in law, its an awful time, my own dad died of it 11 days ago. It makes you re-evaluate things doesn't it?
Sonia
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
So sorry to hear your dad has passed away colourhappy. When my dad died I couldn’t understand why the world kept turning. It certainly does make you re-evaluate things 💝
minnie101
3 years ago
So sorry too Juliet, thoughts are with you
Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
Thank you. I think everyone is affected by this in some way. Worrying for people buying and selling houses, and the sheer repetition of staring at the same walls every day!
Victoria
3 years ago
Sorry to hear of your losses, Tani and Juliet 😢
Lost my dad in April, non-Covid but everything complicated because of it.

You seriously need a massive FO doormat, some paint for the lintel and step and some planters, job done 😊
debbieparsley
3 years ago
I would put up a hanging basket either side of the door with some cheery cheap pansies to make it seem more welcoming ...
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Aw that's so sad @colourhappy & @victoria
😭
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Oo quick Q. ...
Aside from not actually being able to find an anthracite doorstep paint (?!?!!!! WTF 😳)
If I did paint the step and lintel grey then decided down the line to paint the door grey, would that look odd???

I think grey would be softer against the house but I just can't find anything as all the doorstep paints are red or black 🙄
User
3 years ago
Black would be ok. Don't worry about painting the door. It looks fine as it is. You're moving anyway.
Victoria
3 years ago
Could you use garage floor paint?
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
@victoria I'm not sure to be honest as it would need to be suitable for exterior and also dry quickly as main entrance? 🤔
Hoping someone can confirm or alternative 😂
Victoria
3 years ago
It’s normally epoxy resin and can withstand most things. Anyway, you’ll be moved out by then... 😉
Lena
3 years ago
My sincere condolences on your loss, both Juliet and Tani. 💐💐🥲
What a horrible time we live in.
Whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.
Lena
3 years ago
Meanwhile, Tani, it really shouldn’t take long to paint the front door.

I did it about a two years ago, and it still looks Ok.
Lena
3 years ago
I recall putting a first coat of Bullseye (?) primer, and two coats of a special Rowlinson paint. Let me check...
Lena
3 years ago
https://www.screwfix.com/p/zinsser-b-i-n-shellac-based-primer-sealer-2-5ltr/10130?tc=ST2&ds_kid=92700052136101320&ds_rl=1243321&ds_rl=1241687&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1245250&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvbiBBhD-ARIsAGM48bx8VfMKvD6Ljq5jx0fbTLTm7t3h-rf4c18h2Pb08sH-F2BjCGpcFPgaAuc3EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Lena
3 years ago
I’ve checked the order. It turned out I used two types of Zinsser paints, see a screenshot below
Lena
3 years ago
Here they are
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
@lena many thanks! Did you apply it with a brush? Or spray it? Or roller?
I do actually have some paint I can use that I bought to do the garage but it also works on upvc and is even self priming but I'm worried about brush marks. Thinking I can brush the awkward bits then roller the flat areas with a sponge roller?
It's not wood grain unfortunately as that's easier to paint over (done it before)
- Q. If I did paint the door grey, what colour should I then do the doorstep and lintel?? The door frame will still be white so could I then do grey step and lintel as well or would it better white lintel and grey step and door?? Lol 🙈
Lena
3 years ago
I applied it with a brush. I don’t think roller will be suitable because the paint was drying almost instantly. There were no visible brush strokes, at least not with that paint
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks everyone! Lots of good ideas here so much appreciated.

Even though I had to stop painting the front fence due to rain the other day, it makes such a difference to the house being a modern colour. Really stands out in a good way now.

Will post pics when done!
Wumi
3 years ago
Paint pads work well to prevent brush marks. I use a paint pad to paint a door and radiator in Zinsser Permawhite.

Bought a cheap one from Wilko
Mary Mary
3 years ago
I have just painted our internal PVC door with Multi Surface Paint MSP no primer needed. Cost was £17.00 and I applied it with a foam roller
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
@mary Mary ah yes! That's the stuff I used a few years back. Couldn't remember the name 👌
Jen
3 years ago
Wow! That’s a great result 👍
minnie101
3 years ago
Great job Tani, some colour on the door makes such a huge difference (and all your other work of course!) 😊
pannacotta
3 years ago
Look great, big difference. Well done.
Wumi
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Looks great, well done! Maybe a door number to finish off?
keiblem
3 years ago
A great transformation. I hadn’t noticed the block paving in your original photograph. I had to scroll back to check they were there already. The colour you have chosen for the door brings out the blue in the blocks. Now everything compliments each other. Keeping the lintel the same colour as the wall was a great move. It might have looked top heavy with the blue.
Sonia
3 years ago
A triumph Tani! 👏
Victoria
3 years ago
You still need the doormat 😉
Looks great, well done 😊
Patrina
3 years ago
Fantastic 👏
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks everyone! We have a black rubber doormat which was being cleaned at the time and I've said to the OH about a coconut mat one so will see 🤞
The block paving is actually grey and the door is anthracite.
It's on the side of the house so the number is on the front of the house (from the street) although it's a bit small really. Lol.. One of those fancy plaque things. Will post a pic tomorrow of the road view 😊
E D
3 years ago
A transformation indeed! 👌

Looks really good.

You must be chuffed. And so will your EA ...☺️
User
3 years ago
Great work 👏
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks everyone for your help. The rain hit so I didn't get to fully finish the step but it's in progress. However the house video is live and they missed it off anyway 😂

Thought I would share the video link for those who have been with me for the last three years gutting every inch of this house!

Don't have photos yet as it's goes on the market next week but all your help has made this possible 😘

https://youtu.be/lHSBjQdqH5s
Victoria
3 years ago
He makes me think of Keith Lemon 😂😂😂
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
LOL @victoria 🤣
Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
Ooh that is brilliant Tani, it looks so good in the video. I'm sure it will sell really quickly for you, you've worked so hard on it. I did wonder if the Bo Selecta Bear would pop up in the bedroom!
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
I won't tell him that 🤣
Sonia
3 years ago
Very posh. Ooo lives in a house like this? 😅
Victoria
3 years ago
😂
Pat Auld
3 years ago
What a brilliant job. You’ve worked so hard and it’s really paid off. Thanks for sharing the video
pmasmith3
3 years ago
Looks fab Tani! Can I be cheeky and ask where you sourced your side gate? I’ve been searching for a single slat but so far have only found double slat.
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
We had it custom made 😬 local fencing guy.
I know b&q do venetian slat fencing panels but not sure about gates...
Sarah Lockhart
3 years ago
Wow Tani, your house is amazing! Like something out of a magazine. Beautiful! Great job.

help me tart the front up please

Tani H-SOriginal Author

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