We bought our orange brick 1950s ranch in Seattle six years ago. When I first shared the “before” photos, I understand it was hard for many people to imagine the direction we would take. It didn’t look like the coastal cottage I pictured for ourselves. Yet despite a limited budget, we slowly shaped the house into something we love. Click here for the first post we shared of this home!
With the resources we had, a full exterior overhaul wasn’t possible. Many ranch makeovers online show dramatic structural changes that simply weren’t in our plan. If you don’t have an unlimited budget or a full design team, there’s still a lot you can do—one step at a time.
We couldn’t tackle a major front-yard renovation, but we could paint the brick and install a new front door. Those baby steps made a big difference. If you’re in the same position, pick a few achievable projects and start there.
This photo above shows where we began. About five years ago we painted the brick white (Reserved White by Sherwin Williams) and later installed Dutch doors—actually two of them. The first time we painted the front door we chose a soft gray because we weren’t ready for a bold color. This year I decided we needed a bolder blue, something that felt more like the seaside cottage I imagined.
The blue hydrangeas we planted out front helped inspire the new door color, and the feeling of being near the sea guided the choice as well. Even if the architecture isn’t exactly what I dreamt of, the door could be: a cheerful blue Dutch door serving as a welcoming focal point and a defining element for the house.
We love this shade (Blue Suede Shoes by Benjamin Moore). The result exceeded my expectations—my husband and I find ourselves stepping outside any chance we get just to admire it. The bold door color transformed the front of the house and made us fall in love with our home from the outside, too.
There is still more to do: painting the porch, continuing the landscaping, and adding architectural details when we can. I’d love a trellis over the garage and updated windows across the front to bring more cottage character. I’ll keep sharing plans and progress as we move forward.
Today I want to celebrate the joy of creating a home you truly love. Regardless of size, style, budget, or limitations, small, thoughtful changes can turn a house into a place you can’t wait to come home to. The power of paint and the impact of a new door are worth celebrating.
I also love the quirky bunny door knocker. That small, personal detail makes the house feel like me. We have real bunnies in our yard and neighborhood, so the knocker feels perfectly fitting. Little touches like this help a house become a happy home.
Here’s one more look at the before and after.
Explore more home makeovers and before-and-after transformations in our other posts.
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