NOLA House Mock Up

Well I did get my bricks mortared.  I think they turned out pretty well.  They look like real bricks to me at least.  What do you guys think?

I haven't put any finish on them yet.  I'm trying to figure out what to use.  I've got some semi-gloss polyurethane finish that might work.  Not sure.

I had thought I might start painting the siding this weekend.  But I had an idea that makes me hesitate to start painting unless it's to do a primer in a darker color than my finished paint color.

I love the Haunted Heritage on Otterine's site.  Especially how aged it looks.  And I'm wondering if I should do something like that for my house.  A lot of the pictures I found for houses in New Orleans are fairly decrepit looking on the outside.  See?

But I did find just as many that weren't so beat up looking.  So I'm in a bit of a quandary.  The aging would be in keeping with the style of house and the fairly traditional interior I have in mind.  And it would certainly make it unique. 

It's also something that will add two or three extra steps to everything I add to the exterior of the house.  Everything will have to be aged, grunged or worn out in order to fit in with the rest of the house. Including windows, doors, railings...

It's different though and I'm really interested in setting this house apart from the others I've done.  Inside and out.  So I think I might go for it.  I just need to buy some crackle medium at Hobby Lobby and get cracking. (Ha! Punny.)

I did take my four sided walls and the unfinished roof and get the whole house taped together to see how it works.  So far so good. 

It'll need interior supports.  I'm thinking some old fashioned beams in the corners and corbels along the first floor ceilings.

If I'd been thinking I would have put all the doors and windows in place but I was mostly concerned with making sure everything fit together well.  I need to dig out my corner pieces and get them glued in place on the front.  And start to mock up the balcony and balcony roof so I can place it on the front and get an idea of where I'll need non-aged wood so I can glue it on.

But for now I can start painting on my primer color.  A good dark bluish/black.  To go under the grey I've chosen.  This should be fun.