Are you ready for a cedar shutter shocker? Okay, how about just part of one? You see, I began to write the full reveal (update: see full reveal here)and DIY Exterior Cedar Shutter reveal including the before, during, and after, but it got to be very long and I almost fell asleep 😯 . So, today it’s just going to be a “sneak peek” at our gorgeous DIY exterior update using “Exterior Cedar Shutters”. The full reveal of the entire home with new shutters will be this Friday.
Okay, so let’s take a look at these shocking shutters, shall we? This is the side of our home facing the East that is really the main entrance area. This side gets lots of action, and it’s actually the view that is seen the most as you drive up to our house. You may remember when we added the Garage Doors last Spring? The doors look great, but look at that drab window above them. It gets a lot of sun, snow, etc. so the paint is chipping off and it just looks old. And boring.
So, while we were in the middle of putting up all of our new shutters, I was getting in my car to take a break get the kids from school and I realized that this window would actually look fantastic with shutters, too. I mean why not, right? Have you ever thought about why you don’t see shutters on the sides or rear of a house? In fact, when people do put them there, it sometimes looks odd, doesn’t it? I really don’t know why that is, but because of the angle of our house I knew it would really look cute complimenting the garage doors. At least I hoped.
Before I show you the after photos, I have to tell you that we did not build the cedar shutters ourselves. We actually ordered them on line (see below) and they were delivered to our front door in a couple weeks. There was just no way I wanted to build shutters for our entire home. I just didn’t.
However…I was willing to stain them and seal them so they would match the rest of our house.
Let me warn you that even staining/sealing them is still a ton of work. It also requires a great deal of patience because of the drying time. Most of the supplies that I used are at the bottom of this post in my Amazon ad, but you can also stop back this weekend for the full supply list including the color stain, and the exterior polyurethane I used.
After all of the shutters were stained, and sealed, we had to remove the old ones. Take a look at how bad these things were up-close.
I though removing these battered beasts would be as easy as simply unscrewing them. Girl, I was so wrong. Removing them was almost the hardest part (the hardest part is still yet to come on Friday). These original shutters have been on the house since 1994, so the screw was very tight, and you could not get it loose. My husband ended up having to use a crow bar to pry these suckers off the house. We were able to save 2 shutters for me to repurpose this Christmas, but all of the others were basically in shambles.
So, enough of this small talk. Let’s get to it, Julie. Here’s the before and take note of the paint chipping off the white trim.
And now…the beautiful after.
EEK! Don’t they make a huge difference? Now, why didn’t I think of this before? I am so looking forward to next Spring because I have big plans for that window (see hint here).
My amazing husband (who use to be a painter before he was a lawyer) got up there while I held the ladder and first scraped off all of the old paint, and repainted the trim. Then he attached the shutters (see tutorial this Friday). I really didn’t enjoy him being up so high, but honesty he was a very experienced exterior painter back in the day. Still, we are never doing that again. I do recommend you hire someone professional to do your high windows for you.
Look how nicely the shutters compliment the garage doors, now. It makes me feel like I live in a cottage 😀 . I think I might name the house “Cedar Oak Cottage”,what do you think?
I am shutterly utterly so excited to share the front of the house full reveal with you.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL REVEAL.
Tags: curb appeal, exterior, shutters, staining, wood
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You guys did great with this, love, Dad in NY
Great job and they look Grrrrrreat and really complement your garage doors nicely.
Really made a Big difference………………lovely difference
Thank you, Colleen!!!
The shutters are stunning and add such nice curb appeal -you are a better woman than I am for staining and sealing them! (I love that your dad signs his comment with “Dad in NY,” as if you have another dad in another state. Lol – so cute)
I know, Janet. He is so funny!
What is the brand and style of your garage doors?
I love them and the shutter on window really was
The icing on the cake
Hi Bet, there is a blue link to the garage door post in this post at the very beginning. I can’t remember if I gave the exact name, but they are from Home Depot and the manufacturer is Clopay and these are in Walnut. You can look at my photos for the exact window choices, and hardware, etc. Good luck!
Oh yea it’s like this was always there – enhances the house my friend!
Julie, I can’t believe I didn’t see it earlier. I look up there every day. So weird!
You are right! That shuttle is so cute above your new garage doors. I’m looking forward to seeing the front of your house with the new shutters.
Thanks, Bonnie! I will be sending out Sat. am! 🙂 Can’t wait!
Can’t wait for the reveal so exciting. Lots of work but it will be awesome!
It was crazy work, Darlene, but I would do it again. Not sure if Rick would, lol. Thank you so much for stopping over. It means a lot to me to get these messages!
Wow!!, it sure made that window pop!! Looks great!
It did! POW! Can’t wait to put a XXXXX under it next Spring!! 😉
Julie the shutters look wonderful and I can envision a flower box jam packed with beautiful flowers and plenty hanging over the edge, very Niagara on the Lake ish. Great job!
Thank you, “Mom”…I hope you stop by Fri. to see the rest! XOXO
Now that’s what I call “Stylin'” girl. Awesome difference, love it. Poor window looked neglected before, like an after thought. Your garage doors are so gorgeous also. With the brick, rather smart looking home.
Be glad you have such a handy hubs who will do things when they need doing.
Yes, it did. And I looked at it constantly, lol. Never came to me until now. Thank you, friend!!
Fabulous job and so finishes off the lonely window.
Thank you, Pam! I hope you can stop by Sat. for the full reveal! ~ Julie
Your home is beautiful! You and your hubby do an amazing job with all your DIY projects. AND…I love the name….Cedar Oak Cottage!!!
Ohhh, thank you so much, Pam!! If I could change my blog name, I would, lol.
Julie I love the way the shutters just dressed up the house. Great job. I am planning on doing this to my shutters now that you have inspired me. I have been reading your posts for a long time now and love everything you have conquered and accomplished. You have an eye for design. Where do you get all your energy?
Tea and wine. ? Thank you, Teresa! Actually these comments are huge part of the fuel!!
Love the shutters and the garage door. You are an inspiration. How did you happen to decide on a style of shutter different from the original? I am seriously interested because we want to add shutter all around on our currently shuttered house. I am leaning toward the type you are adding while my husband wants the style you are replacing. He thinks they are more formal and I agree, but I think the more rustic style would suit the house and Windows, which are casement prairie style (millions from little squares in each corner like tic tac toe but with giant middle space) . So your input is unique to our situation having faced the exact same choice/decision. Again, beautiful job and thank you for any thoughts you’d like to share.
PS sorry for such a long saga.
Hi Mickey! This is a great question, and I plan to discuss this very thing in my post tomorrow. Our home is very traditional, almost to a “stuffy” point. We have added rustic charm through out the interior by adding stained wood in many areas of the home. If you take the tour (I will leave the link here) you will see it. So, I thought adding stained wood to the exterior would add that same warm feeling on the exterior. We started with a wood flower box under a window, and we recently just completed our “mahogany” porch steps & siding. The garage doors were also part of that plan. Now, the shutters fly in and complete the “cottage” feel. I like mixing it up (traditional w/ rustic w/ contemporary) so if your home is on the rustic side, you could go either way! I have a Facebook group where we discuss things like this. I will leave both links below! I love the look of the shutters we used, so my heart tells me you are right. The “stuffy” ones are dated and not as warm feeling. Good luck with hubby! Home tour: https://redheadcandecorate.com/2017/08/redheads-home-tour-2017/ Facebook decorating group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/145766506026766/
PPS that was supposed to say “currently shuttered” (I hate auto-correct or whatever function decides what I’m trying to say, but is always wrong!)
It did it again! SHUTTERLESS! My house is currently shutterless. ~ ?
I love shutters , but you don’t see many here in England.Some people have them instead of blinds inside but they are very expensive.
I love your home. Those are the nicest garage doors I have ever seen & they are enhanced by your new shutters.
I didn’t know this, Shirley! Very interesting.
Love the name you chose for your house! I wouldn’t have wanted my husband up that high on a ladder either. You two have a beautiful home!
One of my favorites so far (your projects!). It really made a big difference in the appearance of the house!
Totally Awesome! Looks like a different house! Great job and cannot wait to see the rest of the house all dolled up!
Beautiful! I love it!
You had a vision and that window above the garage doors looks like it was designed that way when the house was built!!!!! You sure do know your stuf (but I already knew that:)) My favorite part of this post is how cute you look working away in the garage; I know that was a lot of hard work but you’re just so darn cute there. Anxious to see the total reveal.
Hey Carol! I always say yah my house looks great, but look at me (yikes!). Thank you for your sweet comment!