It ain't easy building pretty.

This is a clip of the plans for our Parade House...see the fancy details at the end of the roof gable?  The things that look like house-earrings? Well...it has taken WEEKS & WEEKS to get anyone to even consider making these for us.  And don't even get me started on the birdhouse detail at the top of the smaller gable.  

That sucker took several failed attempts before we were finally able to arrange a 'Clinton-esque' peace talk between Juan (from Cortes Siding) and Matthew (from Professional Builder Supply).  They negotiated a plan of attack on the birdhouse that was so successful we decided the time was right to go for it on the house earrings. 

It was a stretch for us and for them.  We've never built anything like this before and neither have they.

As evidenced by their first attempt shown below.

It's not that bad, it's just not quite right.  And it's that fraction of not quite right that makes it look all kinds of wrong.  

I was sitting on the front steps when I heard Brian laughing...then I heard the siding guys laughing...so I walked over to check out what was so funny and I was presented with the trim piece shown above.  Hysterical laughter ensued and that's the exact moment I knew the siding guys were a perfect fit for us.  

We're all out of our comfort zone on this house.  I mean, duh, right?   But none of us is going to let our lack of expertise deter us from trying something new.  And we're certainly not going to let our ego's get in the way when we fall short.  Especially when we fall short in such a funny way.  

I mean look at that thing?!  It looks like something we could attach to the gables on our 'jack-o-lantern' collection of homes.  

And since we have yet to release our holiday inspired collection of homes-featuring the soon to be sold out 'jack-o-lantern' version...we decided to deviate from the plans and just freestyle the design.  Simplify.  For everyone's sake.  

And look...it worked!  

So close.  And still so much trial and error.  But we're still laughing.  That's the best part.  It's the part that counts.