My first outdoor project is to fix up our house marker so it can once again change with the seasons.
Down at the bottom of our driveway there’s a large white wooden marker that acts as our house numbers sign. Since we can’t be seen from the road, and the driveway turns up a hill, it’s our little landmark. The previous owner built it as a showcase for four paintings of the house – one in each season — he’d done on plywood and placed between two sheets of Plexiglas attached to the front and back of a green-painted wooden picture frame. He was no Grandma Moses but they are charming paintings that people in the neighborhood came to know.
Here’s the Fall image that fits into the green frame.
I love the blue bleakness of Winter.
Spring is sunnier and more vivid.
And Summer is wonderfully lively.
The picture frame hooks onto the inside of the marker and the p.o. (previous owner) had glued big brass letters spelling out his name across the top of the sign and the word “welcome,” along the bottom. A few months after we moved in, I pried off all the brass, and pasted glow-in-the-dark house numbers onto one corner of the sign so at least our guests and the UPS guy could find us. I always intended to get down there to sand and repaint the marker. But over the past eight years we’ve only lived here for brief periods so I never had time. Meanwhile, the sign began to weather badly and the house numbers were peeling. I removed them this morning.
I was worried about the finials, which gives the marker its character. But last Fall, Rob, who helps me with carpentry, tightened it up and pronounced it solid. The chippy water-based paint still needs to be scraped away, then it will get a thorough sanding. Those are tough jobs I plan to tackle in several stages, all the while watching out for mosquitos and deer ticks.
I intend to paint the marker white with blue trim. I’ll use the same white Fine Paints of Europe Hollandlac oil base paint that’s on my front porch and the their Zuider Zee blue from my front door on the trim. It’s very tough stuff that holds up for years but each color requires self-leveling primer plus two coats. Each coat of paint takes 24 hours to dry. So I need a run of dry weather (scarce around here after Hurricane Irene). And I need to start soon since leaves are starting to fall. Once the marker has base paint, I’ll need to decide whether to add the house numbers and street name, or our name, or all three. I can use the block letter stencils I have on hand or find new stencils with a fancier script.
The frame that holds the pictures presents its own set of problems. Inside pieces of plywood, that hold the pictures in place, are warped and some of the screws are loose. It will need rebuilding, which I’ll ask Rob to do since neither Mr. AM nor I have carpentry skills.
So I’ll be posting updates, with before and after pictures, as the project progresses from now until Spring when I hope to have it completed. Meanwhile, if anyone has suggestions — including inspiration photos or pix of their own house sign projects – I do hope you will share them. In the past, this particular house sign was noteworthy in the neighborhood. People told me they’d watch to see which seasonal picture was out when they drove by. My goal is to bring back its very modest glory days.
The paintings are all so sweet! I’m glad you’re restoring. I’m sure the neighbors will enjoy seeing it again as much as you both will.
That is lovely! what an enjoyable project.
I love the idea of the seasons pictures in there! My brother made my parents a big sign to put out at the road years and years ago. It is such a fixture now and everyone knows exactly where they live because of the sign. I think yours will be looking great by the time you finish! Fun project!
Pam
What a great project! Gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
Hope to see you on my blog:)
Oh I can’t wait to see your house sign finished. You’ll have to add it the metamorphosis to my Fall in Love linky party on Wednesday.
Until then, stop by and see the under $20 makeover I gave an ugly brass light fixture.
Happy Monday!
Looks like a very enjoyable project
Bet it would turn out really lovely.
What an adorable idea – I can’t wait to see your finished project. In the meantime – I’m saving your post for my contractor/hubby. An, ever subtle, Christmas hint
Can’t wait to see the sign finished and all together. Love the color of your door..it is so calm and inviting!
Can’t wait to see it complete. Those paintings are charming!
Thanks for all the nice comments. I’m really excited about this project but also a bit apprehensive. There’s been so much rain the mosquitos are horrible. I’ve just been looking at camping tents to set up around the marker so we can do outdoor work without being eaten alive — the tent also would let paint dry for a few hours without falling leaves sticking to it. The purchase would be a gamble but I think it will work!