Hey you. Yes, YOU!  I can see you reading this page right now and Im hoping you'll have some fun with me over the next few weeks. 

Let's have an online design contest.  C'mon, I know you are artistic and have a keen eye for design.

I'll tell you right off the bat that I have sort of stolen this idea from St. Paul Minnesota Blogging Goddess Teresa Boardman who inspired this idea with her virtual pumpkin carving contest in October.

Have a look at this house.  While it isn't exactly loaded with curb appeal, it's gorgeous inside and is in a wonderful location.  My clients who purchased this house earlier this year are real doers and I think we should give them some suggestions for a curb appeal transformation; like these ones.   It would be kind of like giving them a little present to start the new year off right.

So here is how this will work.

  

First, download this picture and save it to your hard drive.  Then, using Paint or some other program(s) of your choice, transform this house as you see fit.  Send your final design back to me at marg@collingwood-bluemountain.com in a jpeg format by January 5th.  If I actually get more than two entries, we'll vote online and the winner will receive nothing but fame and glory for their efforts.  And quite possibly, the chance to see some of their ideas materialize some day. 

I hope you'll join the fun. 

UPDATE (January 10, 2008):  The voting has begun.  See http://activerain.com/blogsview/333936/It-s-Time-To

 

12 Comments on Your Five Minutes of Fame are Coming!

DEC
20
2007
200,462 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog
Marg - Sounds Like fun but Barrie is the one with this kind of talent in our house. I will ask him if that Ok with you
5:31pm • #1
DEC
21
2007

Of course he can Kathy!  I've put this on my "outside" blog as well.  Thanks and I look forward to seeing what Barrie comes up with. 

8:08am • #2
200,462 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Marg - I don't have any programs with architectural stuff in them but here are some inexpensive fixes close the rear door on the van spruce up the garden on the front and change the roof colour and perhaps the shutters as well

Barrie

8:09pm • #3

Thanks Barrie!  You sure did this fast and your ideas are similar to some of mine.  I wish I knew how to do this as well as you.

O.K., I now have three entries ; hope we get some more over the holidays when everyone gets tired of eating.

8:32pm • #4
200,462 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Just for kicks A new front door and window

Barrie

9:21pm • #5
DEC
22
2007
Well doesn't that make a difference, great idea.  Hey, what happened to the house next door???
7:41am • #6
DEC
24
2007

Marg-

Ok, that was way too much fun. Please forgive my limited photoshop skills... I really don't know how to use layers!!

So the changes I made are:

  1. nice vinyl windows for all
  2. darkened siding and painted shutters green
  3. stone on the front porch
  4. pretty red wood door
  5. new light over front door
  6. ornamental grasses and some pretty flowers
  7. two trees

I would have left the iron railing if I knew how... LOL

Enjoy! I'd love to see what work they do!

~Emily

The San Diego Real Estate Expert

Em's Curb Appeal

8:41pm • #7
200,462 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Marg - Living in a rural community I felt the house needed more room so I moved it. A little expensive in reality but hey we can dream can't we. We also buried the hydro service lines.

 

Barrie

11:32pm • #8
DEC
25
2007
This is so much fun indeed and I am amazed at the creativity here!  I have a few other entries that have been emailed to me and I can hardly wait to put them all up after the contest closes.  I have no idea how anyone is going to decide. 
4:28pm • #9
JAN
01
2008
108,158 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Marg, I am *terrible* with manipulating images so I'll spare everyone.

My suggestions however are:

Remove the closed in entrance and create a deck across the entire front of the house, wide enough for dining table and chairs. Place a pergola over the deck. Place an 'peak' in the pergola over a beautiful front door (Georgeon style perhaps) and hang a great feature light from the centre of the peak.

This will provide a great architectural detail to the front but maintain a casualness.

The pergoal can have vines planted to grow over it...but I'd recommend for shade, to place great striped canvas outdoor fabric (with a white ground and taupe and red striping or 'ticking'). Then you can play up on the red for the seat cushions, and other accents on the deck.

Of course, for more privacy they can mount curtains or blinds to close off the area for intimate dinners, drinks or if they are a newly married couple...jiggy!

Just some ideas.

tuna (stinky graphic)

2:52pm • #10

Dane, this sounds awesome!  You have to submit a photo for the contest though - can you find someone who can help you to use the paint program?  Try it yourself - you'll love it and it could be useful in your business time and time again.  Anyone else out there willing to help?

Don't forget the contest deadline is coming - June 5th and I have five entries so far.

3:10pm • #11
108,158 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Yeah...I guess I could figure something out. You know, I usually charge to open software for designing...but...this is a fun post.

So what the heck! (I just have to find the time). Maybe I'll do a collage. I like collages.

3:20pm • #12

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Marg Scheben-Edey - Collingwood, Ontario

Collingwood, ON

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RE/MAX four seasons realty limited

Address: 67 First Street, Collingwood, ON, L9Y 1A2

Office Phone: (705) 446-1762

Cell Phone: (705) 446-5066

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