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A Game Of Twister As Big As A House; Eyesore? Or Artistic?

Posted: May 4, 2012

Jim Deitz has created a small ruffle in his town of Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Putting the final touches on one color at a time, Deitz has created quite a masterpiece out of his 100 year old, 2 story home by covering the exterior in neatly painted, brightly colored, perfectly round polka dots.

The retired house painter and rental property owner has seemingly taken to his artistic ways in what some see as a sign of protest over disagreements with his local government official.

It appears as though when Ryan Brooks, the senior city planner for Grand Forks, had agreed to buy Deitz property from him for $100,000 one year ago as part of a low income housing project that all was well between city and citizen. However, when the city backed out of the deal, the gloves came off and the paint brush came out.

“It’s hard to say what this gentleman’s true motives are,” Brooks said. “I think my opinion is the same as everybody – I wouldn’t want to be living next to it.”

Even though Deitz insist that it is not a form of protest and that he simply wants to brighten up the neighborhood with a little bit of color, his motives seem quite clear to many.

“They were going to buy me out and they backed out,” Deitz said. “I want $150,000 for it now.”

However, Dietz is remaining positive about the whole situation, saying that on the bright side, “Pizza delivery drivers won’t have any trouble finding this place.”

Would consider this polka dot house an eye sore? Or is it just a fun way to add some color to the neighborhood?



Comments


19 Archived Responses to “ A Game Of Twister As Big As A House; Eyesore? Or Artistic? ”

  1. Velvet Michael
    May 4, 2012

    When I saw the picture it brought a huge smile to my face. Living by this house wouldn't bother me at all. Quite frankly it's nice seeing a house with some character and individuality. So tired of driving by housing divisions and seeing the same 2-3 different styles of houses over and over again. It is a sad world to live in when you get dinged for daring to be different and not style your home after a bunch of dull, boring and uninteresting tract houses.

  2. Patricia Lombardo Iannuzzo
    May 4, 2012

    Love it!

  3. Tara Bryan
    May 4, 2012

    The home is probably run down and not very pleasing to the eye, so what a great inexpensive way to brighten up an eyesore! Better than a cookie-cutter subdivision home where every house looks like the next!

  4. Judy MissesMom
    May 4, 2012

    sounds like something I would do!

  5. Luanna Rhea Shelby
    May 4, 2012

    I think it is fantastic! If my husband would agree I would brighten up our house. Sure beats the same old boring colors.

  6. Tiffany Hogsed
    May 4, 2012

    Love his idea

  7. Brooklyn Benson
    May 4, 2012

    Its cool, WIsh I could do that.

  8. Shari Horton
    May 4, 2012

    I object more to the junk and trash people have around their houses and in their yards more than polka dots. At least it is clean.

  9. Mary Ingram Quitsch
    May 4, 2012

    I love it! It has character!

  10. Jennifer Botts Hultman
    May 4, 2012

    Mom and Vicki have gotten me hooked on watching Hoarders…. Ugh.. last night I actually had nightmares after watching an episode.

  11. Cheryl Woods
    May 4, 2012

    To eaches own

  12. Carmen Guetherman
    May 4, 2012

    I love it… It shows personality and I would love to live next to something this eye catching.. It made me smile when I saw this picture.. I like the fact that he has a stand to take on being himself and loving life! With all my travels it is good to see something different such as this and not the same old thing over and over…

  13. Sharon Hartung
    May 4, 2012

    I like it. It's something that is different & stands out & not the same ole boring colors like you alway's see. When we/I go to my dad's house there is a house in his town that is painted a deep purple with pink trim. Now I don't know if I would do that color scheme to my house (even though I love purple), I think I'd rather do the polka dots or squares or triangles or even stripes. I can see this going global, it's going to catch on trust me!

  14. Sylvia Kinch Montroy
    May 4, 2012

    I love polkadots but I never thought of putting them on my house! I do think they look very nice, however, and I wouldn't mind living near him. I hope more people do painting like this!

  15. Randi Garske
    May 4, 2012

    I love it! I am currently fighting with my HOA – last year they tried to force me into painting my house just because it had been 5 years since the last time I painted it. They claimed that the "paint was badly faded". I challenged them – asked them to come to my house and discuss it with me. They came by my house when I wasn't home and I got a letter from them that there was no need to paint.

    This year, I decided to paint – THE EXACT SAME COLORS. They approved the house (base) color but denied the trim as it didn't coordinate with the base color and the brick color. Excuse me? I worked with a color consultant to decide on the colors. I am contesting the decision and will know in a couple of weeks.

    I realize that HOAs are a necessary evil. But come on, the people on the architectural committee are homeowners, just like me. They have no background in design. They need to lighten up.

    Good for Jim Dietz!

  16. Tracy Yeoman
    May 4, 2012

    This exactly the reason I would NEVER live in a development like yours!!! Unless you're paying my $1600 a month mortgage payment, you're not gonna tell me what colors I can paint ANYTHING!!! My parents once looked at a home where they were told you could only have white curtains in the front windows!! Ummmm, pass on that house!!!

  17. Jillian Rainville
    May 4, 2012

    This is so intriguing since I was driving with a friend and we were commenting on the house colors and what we liked and did not like. We all want to fit in, so we go along with the same old same old! We are notice the houses with bright colors and comment on them but we sure won't stick our necks out and do it ourselves. I kind of like this as it lends itself to individuality. I kinda of feel sorry for those people who live in these gated communities who live in cookie cutter houses all of the same exterior. Boring! Hey, my neighbourhood has houses of the same design but we all have different colours.

  18. Jillian Rainville
    May 4, 2012

    HOA's are a way for some to control what others do! Not giving any room for individuality.

  19. Wendy Elise Crow
    May 5, 2012

    I like it, esp if it is in a 'depressed' area.