To paint or not to paint...

[thearchways]

My first post, so please go easy…

We purchased this cottage (Grade II) last year and are unsure how to decorate the outside. Since our purchase we have changed the windows and hung a few baskets etc. it already looks a lot better…

But what do we do next? It was already painted white, but as you can see, it only covers half the length of the house…

Do we paint it all white or do we strip it back to the brick? Our neighbours have said that there is a multitude of different bricks, some new some old and that is why it was painted in the first place. I think it would look better stripped, with a nice plastered black border on the bottom. I hate making crucial decisions

I need your advice…to paint or not to paint that is the question.

If you advise stripping, where do I get a good stripper (no pun intended), one that will not damage the brickwork. Or if you have any other suggestions, please feel free...

Before we purchased
http://photos1.blogger.com/img/48/6348/1024/Picture%20024-1.jpg

Since we purchased
http://photos1.blogger.com/img/48/6348/1024/IMG_2956.jpg


Your suggestions would be much appreciated.[/url]

 

[Nemesis]

Hmmm. Not much of a picture but the blog via the WWW link was er... fascinating...

 

[MdB]

Links to the pics: one two

Looks like blogger doesn't like deep linking.

 

[thearchways]

sorry, had to paste links instead...

 

[Nemesis]

I suggest the local authority conservation officer is consulted, and hope he or she was consulted and LBC applied for for the window changes. I thought the originals much better...

Stripping off the paint might also require LBC.


Before windows:


[Open Image] [Hosted by PhotoGalaxy.com]


After:


[Open Image] [Hosted by PhotoGalaxy.com]

 

[thearchways]

Hi Nemesis,

Yes. We had lengthy conversations and various unsuccessful applications with AVDC regarding the windows, however, we got there in the end…unfortunately, the old windows were irreparable.

Thanks for posting the pictures on Photo Galaxy.

I always though you could insert with Blogger…obviously not!

 

[Nemesis]

Why not a like for like replacement?

Is that really stick on leading?

Oh dear is all I can say.

Re the painting - you need to consult the CO.

 

[thearchways]

Hi Nemesis,

The (Georgian) like windows were not the original type window (apparently only 4 years old). We replaced the windows to look like the 18/19th Century window on the side, which is original and all the other windows which were put in when the building was converted.

Yes. It really is stick on lead. Do you think it would more effective without the white paint? If we decide to go down that route, we will contact AVDC for permission.

 

[Nemesis]

Oh well.

I think only the CO can answer your question. I think it would look better without wood effect windows and stick on lead personally...

I liked the simple painted casements.

 

[thearchways]

...they are not 'wood effect' windows they are "wooden windows", and expensive ones at that...

i was seeking advice not criticism...

 

[Nemesis]

Well varnished wood and stick on lead isn't very traditional and I'm very surprised you got LBC for them.

Re removal of paint - in all honesty what sticks out to me as not looking right are the windows, but they are there now.

Removal of paint - makes it easier to maintain, but the CO might consider it too radical a change of character. Depends on on the CO and a number of factors.

 

[skier-hughes]

I like them, can't please all the people all of the time.

When I said to our conservation surveyor...... I'd like to take the building back to how it should be......... he was amazed and wondered what we'd do without windows and just holes to let in light/wind/rain :lol:

I like our windows, but I suspect some wouldn't.

Graham

 

[Nemesis]

I wonder, if we ever had a real review of what's listed, how many would be removed from the lists actually. Certainly few listed in the past would get listed these days.

However.

 

[andrew gayton]

good grief; what was wrong with retaining the style of the previous windows? the new ones are in my opinion quite crass.

 

[Flyfisher]

There's little point in posting my opinion of the windows (beauty being in the eye of the beholder, and all that) but I am very, very surprised that LBC was granted for such a radical change in style.

The original windows don't appear to be anything too difficult to replace 'like-for-like', so what was the rationale for the LBC that allowed the style to be so significantly changed?

(relocating the wheely bins works well though :wink: )

 

[thearchways]

...any suggestions on the paint job!

 

[Nemesis]

I made the suggestion - you need to discuss with the CO. It's a matter of whether or not (added to the changes which have already happened) this is considered a significant change or character. It's not a merely cosmetic decision.

You will need to justify such a change.

If I am right in thinking - your street contains a number of listed buildings, mostly rendered and / or painted?



[Open Image] [Hosted by PhotoGalaxy.com]

 

[Penners]

relocating the wheely bins works well

I agree. But I hope LBC was sought....

 

[skier-hughes]

If the paint at present covers a hotch potch of bricks etc then it may well look best painted.
To this end painting the rest to match would be best pleasing to my eye.
You'd need to use a suitable paint, to match the building materials.
And as has been said a few times, you'd need to consult the CO.

My opinion is it's purely aesthetic and up to you.

Take your picture and colour it in using photoshop and see what you think.

Graham

 

[Penners]

Take your picture and colour it in using photoshop and see what you think.

Always assuming you've got Photoshop, at about £500 a pop... and you know how to use it. :wink: