After Much Ado…
Recently, I decided to further shift from What Was Original regarding the paint scheme of the 1894 Cross House, and to paint green several areas of the stamped tin decorative details, like the band just above the first-floor tower windows, the swags above the second-floor tower windows, and the all-seeing “eye” in the large gable end.
I was able to do the lower band on the tower with a ladder. MUCH better!
But the other items required some serious equipment. Justin (right) and me, today. (Image Scott Wiltse)
We were barely able to reach the eye. (Image Scott Wiltse)
Justin (left) and I also attended to various repairs like with a downspout. (Image Scott Wiltse)
Me, tediously and with a tiny brush painting the garlands. Well, wanna see the results? Scroll way down… (Image Scott Wiltse)
ZOUNDS! The eye is painted! Two garlands are painted!
And the “before” again.
The painted garlands look prefect. WHY didn’t I do this three years ago?
The eye…looks better. I am not however 100% thrilled and am uncertain why. I think it needs the wall color between the wide outer band and the thin inner band. I think. In any event, in looks better today than it did yesterday.
Being in the bucket lift terrifies me. It moves, it jerks, and it sways. My stomach was in the throat most of the day. Justin? Wholly unfazed. He IS in his element.
Tomorrow I am planning to finish the garlands. And maybe…maybe…obsess over the eye.
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So much better! And they eye looks much happier now, and really has its own presence over the gable now. It is supposed to break up the expanse of that upper gable section rather than just becoming part of it and now it truly does
I think that you are on the right track, the eye and the garland look much better now. The whole house is looking fantastic!
I think that you thought that the eye would “pop” more and therefore, you might want to consider various ways of alternating the two colors on it. Who was it who photoshopped alternatives for the tower? I know that I would enjoy working up some variations for the eye for you if I had the software and knew how to use it.
I also have to say that you are continually doing an outstanding job. My comments should be taken as throwing ideas out there, not as “YOU SHOULDs”.
I love, love, love the garlands, they look amazing! I agree with you about the eye needing to be broken up a bit… you are definitely on the right track! ❤️
Love the eye & the garlands!
Incredible! I love today’s changes!
I remember what the Cross House looked like before you purchased it. The transformation has been incredible. I always thought the house was breathtaking. There are no words to adequately describe how gorgeous it is becoming. Thanks for sharing.
They look SO much better! The fact that they weren’t picked out with paint kind of bothered me. The slightly darker shade of green looks so much better than the previous paint scheme where the garlands were much darker than the body of the house (no offense to the former owner). Fantastic.
Wonderful updates!! Looks deliciously crisp!!!
You made the right choices! It looks so much better now!
I love your choices. The band has much more presence now and the entire facade is now cohesive.
What would you think about painting a narrow ring around the eye black to pull together all of the windows?
Beautiful! I think though the entire band containing the swags should all be the darker green, so it forms an architectural ribbon/ string course between the second and third floors in the same way the now solid green band on the turret does. The shadow play against the bass relief of the swags calls attention to the ornamentation, paint color variation is not needed.
Hi, Jennifer!
A solid green band did NOT look good when photoshopped.
See here.