Romeo Romeo Wherefore Art Thou

When the front turret was built I was not a happy camper. It was a big block stuck on the front of the house. I was envisioning something about 3/4 its size. I still don't like it.It is not something that is ever going to grow on me.

 Had to get my creative thinking cap on. A window would break up the look but there has to be a reason for a window. Aha! A Juliet balcony will look really good and solve my dilemma.

We don't want an actual window here because it is just asking to be broken by hail  and there would just be an empty space behind it. Had to get creative again. We bought a large sheet of plexiglass cut it to the shape we wanted and then spray painted it. I spent a long time at Lowe's with the paint lady figuring out the color that would look like a window in the sunlight. Used a silver white that has some metallic so there are some reflective properties. I tend to obsess about things. Most people would have gone with a off white and been satisfied but; not me.














 
This was our design center. Since we aren't using an actual window Bill had to create an illusion. Using the plexiglass and PVC boards he built us a window. The PVC boards are white to match our other windows and will never need to be painted.  These shutters will stand open around our window.

The window looks pretty good; looks like the real thing. But, we didn't stop there; still a little plain for our tastes.

Next thing was the balcony. Do we spend more than a $1,500 for the railing or do we DYI it. Our DYI projects look pretty good so we will try it that way first. If it doesn't turn out; then we buy the real thing. Doesn't hurt to try and save some money. Bought the railing pieces and sprayed them black. This was a super hot day with intense sunlight. Left them out all afternoon to have the sun bake the paint on to them.

Bill put his metal bending skills to work again and bent the rails to add dimension.
















We thought the spindles were too long so we cut an inch and a half off each end. They are aluminum so the grinder just zipped right through them. It was actually harder than we thought it would be. But, that's good, it means they aren't flimsy things.

Now we think they are the right length. We don't want two thirds of the window covered with the balcony.

















And of course, it is time to go back up on the scissor lift. Best thing we ever bought.

 Attaching the brackets to the wall. They will hold the top and bottom railings off the wall.

 Next step completed.

 First spindle on. Also the decorative hardware has been added to the shutters that make them look as if they are working shutters.

 And what would a day spent in the sky be if the grandkids weren't up in the air also. Sutton and Brynnlee had to have a ride.

 Does the level add to the look? Sutton thinks it should stay.

 Love my balcony. Love my Romeo for giving his Juliet exactly what she wants.