Painting an Heirloom: Watercolor House Portrait in Bloomfield Hills

You know that feeling when a house has so much character it practically demands its own spotlight? That was this Bloomfield Hills stunner.

Commissioned as a Christmas gift for my client's sister, this 11x14 watercolor was packed with everything that makes a home special: a towering tree in the foreground, a long driveway rendered with painterly brushstrokes, delicate white picket gates, and a sunroom that lets you peek through to the trees beyond. Every little fence, window, and brick was illustrated by hand, even the off-white front door got its own subtle shading so it wouldn’t disappear into the siding.

"Jennifer does an excellent job. Even the place I took it to have it framed said how well-done the painting was."

My client mentioned her sister looooves the color pink, so I took a little creative liberty—adding lush pink flowers to planters by the door and among the hydrangea trees—so the house feels like it’s in full bloom, even if the reference photos weren’t. The massive tree in front got a little extra love too, literally hours of painting to make it the centerpiece without letting the long driveway dominate the scene. It’s a wide composition, but everything was carefully balanced to feel natural, detailed, and heirloom-worthy.

This house portrait is a perfect example of the type of work clients trust me with: thoughtfully composed, personalized, and full of the small touches that turn a house into a memory. Whether it’s a gift for a loved one or a way to celebrate a special place in your life, it’s a piece that will live on in watercolor for years to come.

Learn how to commission a hand-painted watercolor house portrait ➜