To be gutted that someone on my street has painted the outside of their house?

[NapQueen]

I know IABU but still it pisses me off! The street was built in 1880s, two rows of terraces facing one another. They are sandstone and every single one is completely beautiful. The only painting people do is their front doors.

Someone has bought one of them and today ive come home and all the stonework around the door and windows has been painted. Additionally the pattern carved into the stone has been filled in and flattened before painting.

Its so disappointing as its the only street like this for miles its unique and beautiful and old. And now one house sticks out lile a sore thumb.

I know I know its their house etc. Iabu. But im so sad!

Not at all. I live in in a row of Victorian seaside terraces. All the houses are colourfully painted, in proper seaside style.

The two houses opposite, have both sold in the past 6 months. One was grey with yellow woodwork and door, the other mint green with purple woodwork and door. They are now both white, with black front doors. They look really odd on our street, and incredibly boring!

Seriously stick with your own house.. Let others liveeeee and do what they like especially if they have spent thousands of pounds to buy the property.

@dancerdancer - XP! I wonder if you live near me!!

@FenellaMaxwellsPony our houses are all modern seaside replica type houses! So built 15 ish years ago, but in the style of a seaside/fishing type village.
It’s even worse if they have done it to a Victorian terrace!

YABU. I find those terraces very overwhelming when they are all the same colour. It's good your neighbour has decided to break it up a bit.

Yanbu. At least it's something that sounds like a future owner could put right. My house is around the same age and I'm actively restoring it by putting back fireplaces, etc.

There is a thatched cottage near here with upvc windows. Ruins its charm just a little!

Are you in a conservation area? If so then an article 4 direction removes permitted development rights. Although im not sure where painting fits into that.

There's a really good website called pastmap that you can check all cultural heritage designations. I love it, but I'm a geek.

If it's any consolation they have probably revalued their home doing it, but YANBU, I would be sad too.

I think I’d find the filling in and flattening of the stonework more upsetting than the painting, they sound like absolute philistines.

I’d check if you are in a conservation area. We are only allowed to paint our door and windows a certain colour, not allowed to render the house or put up front garden fences or hedges to maintain the look of the terrace. Your council should be able to help.

Ive emailed the relevant department in the local council asking if there are any restrictions or covenants on the stonework and expressing my disappointment that the "historic and unique look of the street is under attack"

Why are people such busybodies? It's their house that they've paid for, mind your own business. I'd be fuming if somebody tried to stop me doing something to my own home.

Saying that I can't stand old properties anyway so I wouldn't buy one.

Somebody on my DM's street has their house painted hot pink. Their car is pink too.

Because when you spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on your home you look at the street as well as the house. For example, if I bought a house on a tree-lined street I’d be gutted if the council ripped all the trees down. Beautiful surroundings are good for our wellbeing. Really, if you don’t like the kind of street the OP posted a picture of, then why buy a house there?

Im gonna turn into one of those old biddies "I remember when this street was all stone I do"

I think you already have!

I understand why it might seem a shame that things are changing, but you're leaving and you're trying to restrict the ability of those who are staying there to live the way they want to? That seems pretty U. Leave complaints to the people who are staying.

Really, if you don’t like the kind of street the OP posted a picture of, then why buy a house there?

Location?

Our NDNs have painted their steps hot pink.

We're planning to go on the market this summer.

Hot bloody pink

Why would your house have pictures of your neighbours steps @cliffdiver

Excuse me cliffdiver, I see you didn't mention pictures.

I completely understand that the very pink steps will be on show to anyone who comes to view your house!!

This post has made me genuinely furious. What kind of tasteless idiots ARE THEY?! I walk past beautiful sandstone fronted houses, not as nice as the ones like yours, on the school run and dream of living in one. I hope the council make them spend thousands restoring it.

dancer and fenella I wonder if we all live in the same town. I’m looking out of my window to see if I can spot a half painted purple house.

If it is the same town as me then the whole harbour bowl area is a conservation area. You’re still allowed to paint your walls whatever colour you fancy though. Our house is a modernish one with wood panelling on the outside walls. I’d love to paint it bright green but I don’t think it would look good on a modern house.

To be fair, the partially painted purple house was probably a mistake. They bought a paint called "Lavender Dream" or something, started painting and thought Oh shit this isn't the lovely pastel mauve I imagined. Maybe it'll lighten as it dries... Oh dear no it still looks shit. What have I done.
It's happened to us all.

Also, is it really bad that I quite like the red and white stripy one?

I absolutely love houses painted daft colours. On a row of houses in the style of the pic OP posted it would look crap whatever colour it was. It wold really irritate me every time I saw it.

Nearly everyone on my side of the street has the original solid wood front door.

But mine is I'll fitting and draughty and insecure and I want to get rid of the bloody thing!