Thursday, September 9, 2010

Paint

Our house is in good shape for an 86-year-old. But bits of paint have peeled, so we're having some work done. I took this close-up of one of the shutters once the sanding and scraping began. I wonder if that screw is original.

On the windowsills and other trim, we discovered redwood under the paint. I don't think it's common to use redwood as a building material these days except in backyard decks. Briefly, before the primer went on, I enjoyed its rusty color. The redwood has aged; the painter filled great gouges made by sun, rain and time.

When it's all finished it'll be glossy. I admit I'm tempted to leave it looking just like this.

21 comments:

Latino Heritage said...

Thanks for this. I like the look of weathered. It's a bit like gray hair. I like that, too. Both hint at a story.

Shell Sherree said...

Oh, I vote for leaving it like this!! You'll feel like you're in Venice, Petrea. Without the water.

Virginia said...

Damn that's purty, just like it is!
V

Margaret said...

Looks very beachy this way.

mark said...

Great photo. That probably is an original screw. You are right, redwood is very scarce and very expensive. Most decks are made from cedar or the new PVC composites. I like the aged look but to preserve the wood for another 86 years I would probably paint them.

Petrea Burchard said...

Yeah, we have to paint them. The weather has already been unkind in spots.

I like the Venice look, though (or Venice Beach!).

Anonymous said...

Oh, my house is all about Venice, Shell.

Our houses were built around the same time, P, and they used redwood because it was plentiful and termite resistant (sort of).

Susan C said...

Our house (and probably most in Altadena) is framed in redwood.

Hope you're having fun picking out colors.

Petrea Burchard said...

Wish they'd used redwood all over, K.

Susan, I remember your paint-choosing adventures very well!

Mister Earl said...

From age 7, we lived in a house in a small development by a particular contractor. Most of the houses on the block featured used brick and redwood. Big redwood panels highlighted the front of the house, and inside the living room, redwood framed the used brick fireplace.

When I redid my bathroom a couple years ago, I got to see the bones of my 1927 house. Very well built of wooden slats to hold the plaster walls. Not sure if they're redwood or not.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

I have friends who are well paid to get "that look" Next time you rent Flipper the remake with Paul Hogen (and we know you will) check out those sets

Greg Sweet said...

Probably lots of good lead in that paint - shutter the thought!

Speedway said...

Oh, it's just beautiful! though it's probably from the grinder, it even looks like big, loose brush strokes in the teal. I wish I could paint as well as removing paint looks in this instance.

Petrea Burchard said...

On my way to get Flipper the remake as we speak.

Isn't lead paint pre-1978? There was only one coat of paint on those shutters and I don't think it was 32 years old. The wood is old, though.

Bellis said...

Is that redwood as in giant sequoia? Or is it redwood cedar? And what color are you repainting the shutters?

I love things "with age on them". It's what makes Italy so charming. My neighbors don't get it.

Petrea Burchard said...

I don't know the answer to the redwood question.

As for colors, kind of the same. Darker brown, same green. Long story.

Ms M said...

Really like the feel and texture of this photo and the previous post with the door. It's interesting to see what's beneath the paint and plaster of older homes (sometimes!)

Petrea Burchard said...

You make a good point, Ms. M. A couple of the holes we found in the wood were (ahem) rather large.

Susan Campisi said...

This reminds me of an old beach house out on the east end of Long Island--in the Hamptons, although not the glitzy Hollywood version. I love the color and texture.

Amy said...

I love peeling paint so very much!

Petrea Burchard said...

Here's the thing about peeling paint: on someone else's house it's charming. And if everyone on your street is doing it, it's fine. But when all the houses along your block are spruced up and yours is the one with the peeling paint, it's not "Shabby Chic" anymore, it's just (unfortunately) shabby.