HOME refresh - Part I -

This house - which I usually call "the cottage" due to it's compact size and my

 struggles to enclose it within an English-style garden (difficult here in this much too

 hot climate), is showing it's age, just like its occupants! Now thirty years old, the

exterior is looking somewhat dismal despite painting and fixing every 7 years or so.

Always something requiring attention with a house.

Moving to one-level condos, townhouses, smaller garden/no garden, even

 apartment living with no upkeep by us required, bring heated discussions.

For now we are staying here!

After spending the past several weeks getting estimates for wood repairs and

 repainting, we were somewhat shocked at the bottom line from

 individuals/companies who expected us to fork out money way 

beyond our budget, especially those who wanted a big percentage up

 front, yet would not provide proof of good work, insurance etc. 

Then along came a contractor acquaintance, Mr. B., actually a long time

 friend of our daughter and her partner.

After meeting with him and knowing we would be well taken care of - we

 decided to completely re-side the cottage in Hardiplank thus getting rid of all

 damaged/aging siding, then follow with a lovely new paint job.

Our contractor had just completed similar work on this house above - lower two
 pix - we were able to go take a look. Just happens the owners sold another home
 to our daughter last year so we knew they would not steer us wrong regarding
 the work done by Mr. B.  

We love the Hardiplank siding they used, it has a light woodgrain rather 

than smooth, and no dirt catching bead along the bottom edge of the board. 
Another plus when using this now very popular brand of siding, is that there
are no visible nails/holes as the boards are installed from the bottom up and
 nailed under the overlap. 
I believe it has a 50 year warranty - repainting probably only every 15 years.

I think it will suit our style of house which is similar to the white house

 above with the same dentil molding and similar roof lines.

I hesitate in sharing these pix of the front beds - so sad looking!
The English garden, or whatever garden it was, has been cut down and dug out 
for the most part. Necessary to allow access to the house where wood repairs
are required, and of course making the painting much easier when the time comes.
I do think the hydrangeas will survive, and the climbing jasmines, but it will take a few
 years before they are lush and full again, and I will need to add some new shrubs later.

Well another week begins and I hear the workmen coming up the driveway.
More hammering, drilling and sawing ahead. Thankfully the weather is holding 
up but still very warm - so more chug-a-lugging bottled water by the guys -
my 'frig is well-stocked for the week ahead!
 We look forward to being back to normal by next week perhaps - and are
hoping Hurricane Maria stays away from here as she makes her way now
along North Carolina's coast and the Outer Banks.