Defining My Style: Home Exteriors

{BHG}

Hey there y'all! I'm switching gears majorly from the last couple of days' posts... away from baby gifts and toward home design. Exteriors to be exact. So if babies aren't your thang (yep, I definitely used the word "thang"), I hope that home design might be :).

Ever since I started reading shelter magazines years ago, and more recently, pinning like crazy to Pinterest, I've been collecting images that "speak to me." That might sound a little strange, but I think you know what I mean. Each of us are drawn to certain styles, or aesthetics. These are things that catch your eye, make you smile, or inspire you. Yes?

If you are an "inspiration collector" like I am, have you ever gone back and looked at a bunch of your favorite images/magazine pages/Pinterest boards to see what they have in common? This is an excellent exercise to do to help define your style, especially if you're looking into renovating your home or redesigning a room. Though none of these things are in my immediate future, I still love to do this - that's why I titled this post "Defining My Style."

I thought it might be fun start a new, semi-regular mini-series to give you a peek into my design style. And what better place to start than the outside? We can move our way into various interior spaces in future posts. But, I don't want this to be all about me and my style. I'd love for you to join in on the conversation in the comments or on my Facebook page. Tell me about the styles you love!

So let's get started. I'll show you some "curated" photos from my collection of home exteriors (i.e. my Exteriors Pinterest Board) and I'll point out my favorite elements and some common themes as we go along. Sound good? Super.

{Style Me Pretty}

1. Cedar Shingles.

Oh how I love these. I think this comes from many years spent at a summer camp in New England where nearly all the houses were shingled. I love the simplicty, variation and texture, and the way they age (turning from their natural cedar to an ashy gray). I like them whitewashed or painted too.

{Mira Images}

2. Blue or Green Painted Doors.

Doors painted in light, airy, coastal colors (blues and greens, especially) are my absolute favorite. You've probably noticed lots of aqua doors in these photos, which is my top color choice.

{Coastal Living}

{Home Portfolio}

3. Shutters.

Simple, craftsman-style board and batten shutters are my current favorite. They add a modern vibe without being non-traditional. I have both traditional and modern design leanings, so these fit both of those styles well.

{Evergreen Carriage Doors}

4. Gray Exterior with White Trim.

This classic color combination will never go out of style. Whether it's the gray from the naturally aging cedar shingles or paint, you can't go wrong. I tend to prefer grays with cool rather than warm undertones.

{This Old House}

{House of Turquoise}

5. Large Front Porch.

A large front porch (preferably wraparound) is most certainly on my "one day" wishlist for a home. There's a white plantation-style home near my parents' that has a porch that wraps three-quarters of the way around and I just stare at it (and drool a little) every time I drive by. Gorgeous. I'll have to snap a photo of it sometime.

{BHG}

Overall, if I had to give my exterior style a name, I'd go with "coastal craftsman." Can you see it?

This is a fitting last photo welcoming you into the house, since it's where we'll go next on our little "defining my style" tour. Next up - entryways! Be back soon with that one. In the meantime, tell me a little bit about your style!