This was the original Seminole Heights blog with commentary about life in and around the urban neighborhood of Seminole Heights in Tampa, Florida. Musings about other topics as my mood permits. The blog is essentially inactive since I moved to Lutz. Go to The Official Unofficial Seminole Heights Blog - www.seminoleheightsblog.com for active content.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Transformation
This house ought to be on next years Old Seminole Heights Home Tour. Great transformation by Nikki and Stephen Couture. (Central/Hillsborough)
I'm kind of disappointed that this very visable S.H. home isn't a bit more colorful. It seems kind of bland to me, the color scheme is very similar to the new construction on Suwanee and Hillsborough. Perhaps a third color or something brighter would be good. And I wonder why the bricks were being stripped of paint, then got repainted...WTF? However, in spite of all this, it's a whole lot better than what was there before!!
Dear anonymous, Once again I feel I have to defend my choices. Again, I know we can not make everyone happy! To begin with, the color was partially chosen because I knew that you will always have someone putting in their 2 cents in SH. Being that it is such a visible building I chose something very neutral so I wouldn't have to here about what color I chose. Obviously, it didn't work. (Please post a picture of your home on the blog so you may be judged as well.) Also, I am all about the flowers. I love a neutral home as a backdrop to color. I'm really surprized there hasn't been a comment about the dead grass but to avoid more comments it was killed in preperation for the future plantings. I will say I was a little mortified that this picture was posted as it is now! As for the stripped brick, it at least gave the home the original look of the brick rather than the ugly stucco. After all that chipping work we were advised by multiple, reliable people that the brick was in fact an inferior, interior brick that should not be exposed to the elements and if not painted, would not last much longer. I am sorry, but I am not ready to tear down all the brick and start over. Painting it was the best solution. I hope I answerd your "WTF". Sincerely, Nikki
Nikki, don't even for a minute defend your choices. The home is absoluetly one of the most gorgeous renovations I have ever seen. Kudos to you for such a great job. It inspired several homeowners to strip the paint off their columns.
The color choices are perfect! I hate the way some of the homes go over the top with a million different colors. Not all bungalows have to look like circus tents. This house is one of the most elegant grand homes on Central now. Thanks for making Seminole Heights better.
Well I like colors and live in one of those houses with color. But, I like neutrals too What I like most about living here is the fact that everyone gets to do what they like. No cookie cutters here!
I think that before we criticize others we might allow ourselves to be better informed The brick thing is a good example Why is everyone so quick to judge in a community that is known and loved for it's diversity? Lighten up!
After 8 months of prep work, I'm almost ready to paint my house. I'm very concerned about getting your approval for my color choice. Please contact me so that I can be sure that my aesthetic is up to your standards.
Mal, About time you bow down to the power of the blog - please post your address - we will be by to approve your prep work and your choice of colors - did you get the list of approved colors before hand - no loud, garrish colors will be approved.
Your colors will be submitted for vote on the blog and you will live with the decision of the neighborhood - if you thought Westchase was bad you are about to come to the reality of the 'hood.
By the way no signage, no support of the war and no pagan decorations are permitted in your yard.
Crap, now I have to take the xmas light pentagram down. But, if it's for my own good.....
As for my color choices: I've decided to go with beige with beige trim. Then, for a hint of whimsy, I've chosen white for the accents! It will be beautiful I tell you, beautiful!
Oh, and the prepwork.. I didn't want to take part in killing any trees, so any rotten wood is covered over with bondo. A couple of pieces were just too rotten, so I bought the cheapest that Home Depot had. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE big box stores.
I've tried to preserve every board on the place that could be saved, because each is a piece of history. Wood cut from mature trees that has stood the test of time. That which could not be saved has been replaced with cypress from North Rome Lumber - a craftmanship shop that cares about what they sell. If they could not fabricate the pieces that I needed, I'd do it myself. Two days to re-frame a window may be a bit excessive, but that window looks like it would have when the house was first built.
We own houses that have weathered the last direct hit from a hurricane, almost 80 years ago, while the Pulte, Lennar, US Homes are held together with caulk. They deserve to be treated with respect for the original craftmanship.
Mal carne, I got yor sarcasm and I loved it! Two things we don't lack in this community, diversity in adorning our houses, and opinions. If the diversity went away, it would no longer be a unique community. If the opinions went away, this blog would die.
sounds like you would be a good candidate for a home tour (hint, hint) - too late for this upcoming one but keep on working and we pull you into the next round.
Very nice job.
ReplyDeleteAll of Steve and Nikki's restorations are beautiful! They have a home for sale at 122 W. Minnehaha St.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of disappointed that this very visable S.H. home isn't a bit more colorful. It seems kind of bland to me, the color scheme is very similar to the new construction on Suwanee and Hillsborough. Perhaps a third color or something brighter would be good. And I wonder why the bricks were being stripped of paint, then got repainted...WTF? However, in spite of all this, it's a whole lot better than what was there before!!
ReplyDeleteDear anonymous, Once again I feel I have to defend my choices. Again, I know we can not make everyone happy! To begin with, the color was partially chosen because I knew that you will always have someone putting in their 2 cents in SH. Being that it is such a visible building I chose something very neutral so I wouldn't have to here about what color I chose. Obviously, it didn't work. (Please post a picture of your home on the blog so you may be judged as well.) Also, I am all about the flowers. I love a neutral home as a backdrop to color. I'm really surprized there hasn't been a comment about the dead grass but to avoid more comments it was killed in preperation for the future plantings. I will say I was a little mortified that this picture was posted as it is now! As for the stripped brick, it at least gave the home the original look of the brick rather than the ugly stucco. After all that chipping work we were advised by multiple, reliable people that the brick was in fact an inferior, interior brick that should not be exposed to the elements and if not painted, would not last much longer. I am sorry, but I am not ready to tear down all the brick and start over. Painting it was the best solution. I hope I answerd your "WTF".
ReplyDeleteSincerely, Nikki
Nikki, don't even for a minute defend your choices. The home is absoluetly one of the most gorgeous renovations I have ever seen. Kudos to you for such a great job. It inspired several homeowners to strip the paint off their columns.
ReplyDeleteThe color choices are perfect! I hate the way some of the homes go over the top with a million different colors. Not all bungalows have to look like circus tents. This house is one of the most elegant grand homes on Central now. Thanks for making Seminole Heights better.
ReplyDeleteWell I like colors and live in one of those houses with color. But, I like neutrals too What I like most about living here is the fact that everyone gets to do what they like. No cookie cutters here!
ReplyDeleteI think that before we criticize others we might allow ourselves to be better informed The brick thing is a good example Why is everyone so quick to judge in a community that is known and loved for it's diversity? Lighten up!
Anon 7:14,
ReplyDeleteAfter 8 months of prep work, I'm almost ready to paint my house. I'm very concerned about getting your approval for my color choice. Please contact me so that I can be sure that my aesthetic is up to your standards.
Thanks, look forward to hearing from you.
Mal,
ReplyDeleteAbout time you bow down to the power of the blog - please post your address - we will be by to approve your prep work and your choice of colors - did you get the list of approved colors before hand - no loud, garrish colors will be approved.
Your colors will be submitted for vote on the blog and you will live with the decision of the neighborhood - if you thought Westchase was bad you are about to come to the reality of the 'hood.
By the way no signage, no support of the war and no pagan decorations are permitted in your yard.
You will be assimilated!!
Crap, now I have to take the xmas light pentagram down. But, if it's for my own good.....
ReplyDeleteAs for my color choices: I've decided to go with beige with beige trim. Then, for a hint of whimsy, I've chosen white for the accents! It will be beautiful I tell you, beautiful!
Oh, and the prepwork.. I didn't want to take part in killing any trees, so any rotten wood is covered over with bondo. A couple of pieces were just too rotten, so I bought the cheapest that Home Depot had. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE big box stores.
sounds like you are prepping the house to flip - I'll bet your new Home Depot bath and particle board kitchen cabinets are the cat's meow!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the 'hood!
grrrr! Perfectly good sarcasm gone to waste.
ReplyDeleteI've tried to preserve every board on the place that could be saved, because each is a piece of history. Wood cut from mature trees that has stood the test of time. That which could not be saved has been replaced with cypress from North Rome Lumber - a craftmanship shop that cares about what they sell. If they could not fabricate the pieces that I needed, I'd do it myself. Two days to re-frame a window may be a bit excessive, but that window looks like it would have when the house was first built.
We own houses that have weathered the last direct hit from a hurricane, almost 80 years ago, while the Pulte, Lennar, US Homes are held together with caulk. They deserve to be treated with respect for the original craftmanship.
Mal carne, I got yor sarcasm and I loved it! Two things we don't lack in this community, diversity in adorning our houses, and opinions. If the diversity went away, it would no longer be a unique community. If the opinions went away, this blog would die.
ReplyDeleteMal,
ReplyDeletesounds like you would be a good candidate for a home tour (hint, hint) - too late for this upcoming one but keep on working and we pull you into the next round.