Green with... Ivy?

That is the question!

My friends I have a predicament. You see there is ivy growing up the front of our house and although we probably should be ripping it off, it's really growing on me. Get it? Hah, oh me. 

But really... 

Ivy can be SO beautiful on homes.

Whether it's all over....

{via}

Or just a little...

Eric Roth Photography

{via}

{via}

{via}

This house is actually for sale in Nashville as I type...

{via}

But lets get serious for a minute. We don't live in a little historic cottage or huge English manor. We live in a ranch. BUT we do have a prominent chimney on the front, and boy is it looking good with 

some greenery on it. 

Ok, so now here is the ivy on OUR house... 

It was almost dark outside last night when I took these so sorry for the bad lighting.

corner shot

Of course we need to trim it and ignore our other "landscaping". 

I mean I'm not talking about getting all crazy with it... 

I'm just talking about letting it grow a little bit...

Bee Cottage {via}

But although pretty to look at ivy may not good for our little brick and mortar house. People say they can become an insect haven and worse they could even damage our house and make it difficult to see underlying problems. But they also say is acts as insulation. However, we would need to worry about the vines getting into the joints of the bricks as the moisture could will pull the mortar out.

Hmmmmmm.

What do you think? 

Do the pros (being gorgeous, hello!) outweigh the potential cons?

Ty Larkins {via}

Ty Larkins {via}

If you were us, what would you do?