Update exterior, possibly paint brick exterior

10 years ago

We are doing some much need refreshing to this property. Thought it would be nice to paint brick a neutral taupe or beige, white trim with shiny black door. Open to other ideas. Stair rails, porch flower beds, lighting, all need help. Any thoughts on pulling it all together?

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elcieg

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

It is not the brick, it is the windows and the railings. That is where I would direct my money.

Renovation-Rehoboth Beach · More Info

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Comments (26)

PRO
Young & Borlik Architects, inc.
10 years ago
Agree with judyg. First thing, those wooden railings are killing you. You need a handrail per code for the steps, but if you can get something made to match the others, or come up with a new scheme all-together you would be doing the house a great service! Don't be afraid to change them all, it's either 2 or 3 new railing systems, so changing them all won't be all that much more.
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I'd suggest trying to clean brickwork and repoint as then it is maintenance free for the next 50+ years. If painting you may have to repaint every 5 years or so. What brick cleaning products are you using? Don't advise on sandblasting as it's a destructive method, it strips off the top 2-3mm [if you're lucky] of the brick. Have you looked into acid washes and / or soy gel paint stripper, Franmar Chemicals etc.? When your extension is finished will it be easy to get on top to repaint the brickwork? Access, health and safety issues to consider. If you really want to use paint then a mineral masonry paint will probably be the best solution, Kiem paints etc. Hope you get it sorted.
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No doubt you can also look at neighbours houses for inspiration- but if it were mine I would do four things: Paint the trim a more modern colour- in my opinion the cedar colour dates this house and I would rather see a soft grey with either a brown or a green quality. You should also paint the fence at the side white to match the main house. I would put a wide, grand, sweeping path to the front door that cuts through the front lawn. Directly outside the house sort out the levels - remove the border right outside the lower windows, get the ground level as low and as level as possible, add a step up to the front porch as it looks like the current step up is uncomfortable. I think you should make the porch area wider so it goes close to the drive then add a side railing to make it feel a little more enclosed and private. Planting- I think you need to add borders along the new front path and near the road so that you not only improve curb appeal but you also have something to look at from the front porch. Plant in groups for impact and try to get large shrubs for height.
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1920s Red brick plus exterior paint dilemma
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Gorgeous house. As the windows are white, how about a gentle grey like F&B Ammonite, or a pale taupe such as Skimming Stone? A warm white like Winbourne White or Pointing maybe? Of course any masonry paint will do the job, but I do think F&B have the most beautiful shades that really suit period homes.
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Khylah Settle
Original Author
10 years ago
Yes, the railings are going, all of them!!! I was also thinking about adding some sort of trim to embellish the windows. We had shutters, removed them, we can always paint and hang them again.
jansgirl
10 years ago
I wouldn't paint thered brick. It is such a classic color. And about any color (save more red, maybe) looks good with it. The window on the right looks too small so unless you are willing to enlage that window the shutters could be a solution. Would like to see them very dark gray or green-a dark color anyway!! Bright door color!!
PRO
Young & Borlik Architects, inc.
10 years ago
OK, here's one... I like the heavy eave detailing under the entry roof, and how it sits on your window (integrating the entry door and left side window). Try a heavy molding that continues the "suggestion" of molding over the other window, and let it "step" out, maybe with some crown to accent the smaller window to the right. You could also play with some corbel details or faux window box pieces (at least under the small window) to tie everything together.
PRO
Sara Bederman Design
10 years ago
I would put your focus on the windows, definitely darken them to add some punch to the facade. Re-landscaping the front and adding some trees for height by the house would be great as well. The bush on the right could be replaced with something that looks a bit more current and interesting. Try to add a feature tree of some sort, like a japanese maple or a try-color beech perhaps.
PRO
Young & Borlik Architects, inc.
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Make the small window look bigger - without changing the size of the opening:

A very small Second Floor Addition · More Info

You can't do the pop-out, but you can add some trim above and below.
Khylah Settle
Original Author
10 years ago
I appreciate the feedback!!! Thank you.
traditionalguy467
10 years ago
Hi Kisettle,

I absolutely agree with many of the points from fellow Houzzers. The first thing I notice, is the disproportionate window to the right of the door. This has been replaced at some point, with what appears to be a metal window, this should be a wood window. It looks too small for such a large gabled front, so I definitely would put a wood window back here, embellish it with trim as Young and Borlik suggested, and I would put back the shutters, and paint them either black, dark green, or a slate blue, black being my first choice. The two cheap wood railings have to go. If the budget permits, go for a rod iron railing. I would paint them all black, but the choice is yours alone. I also noticed the light fixture to the left of the door, not attractive, and it is going up, as opposed to one that would hang down. The reason I don't care for it, one, the white looks cheap, two, it calls the viewers attention to the significant drop to the ground. Get an onion lamp, or traditional brass or black coach lamp, that faces down. Shape the pretty bush to the right of the small window, not too low, as this still is a significant drop, from top of gable, to the ground. Use the landing on the top stairs of the door as your guide. Landscape below the living room window, and the portion in front of the front door landing, taking advantage of what appears to be a beautiful tree dappling shade on the front of the home and lawn area. The front door appears to be original, so again I would paint it possibly black, but more inclined to put a forged handle, with thumbplate, and a kickplate on the bottom of the door, brass, or a more updated finish, your call. I might even leave the door white, as it might compete with the proposed black rod iron railings, porchlight and shutters, I would have to see. Definitely don't paint the brick, enhance it with the above suggestions. Your home has great bones, classic touches, and I know it will be beautiful when you place your personal touches on the canvas. The very best to you!
Khylah Settle
Original Author
10 years ago
Traditional Guy, thank you for the detailed description. That covers everything. I will post the finished product for everybody once done. Again, I appreciate everyone's very thoughtful feedback!!!
User
10 years ago
I like the brick. :)
PRO
Mark Wilson, ASLA
10 years ago
All the above suggestions make sense, but the biggest issue that nobody has mentioned is scale. The house sits proud above the viewing location without plants to bring it down to human scale. Magnifying the effect, is the small porch and concrete steps that don't relate to the architecture. Before you paint the brick, or attempt other permanent modifications to the structure, try these first. 1. Enlarge the front porch using brick details or concrete pavers that look like brick with segmental concrete retaining blocks to hold. 2. Widen the concrete walk width by 1.5 times using jointed concrete with brick soldier course border against the existing and on the opposite (new) edge. (increasing perceived width of walk to match the scale of the home) Also, try an aluminum or metal rail system that looks more permanent and will coordinate well with brick. 3. Add plantings in the foreground that will ground the home...right now it looks as if it's ready for liftoff. Use lower plantings of small (3' height max) shrubs with simple groundcovers next to porch and walk.
PRO
Triangle Brick Company
10 years ago
As a brick manufacturer, we love the look of natural brick and its durability. However, if you do decide to paint the brick, please be prepared for increased maintenance. According to The Brick Industry Association, “Most paint authorities agree that, once painted, exterior masonry will require repainting every three to five years.”
qam999
10 years ago
Some brick definitely is better painted but yours is not included in that group. Your brick is very pretty and clean looking and would look fabulous with all trim painted a darker color like slate blue, olive green, black etc. Paint EVERYTHING that isn't brick a color, with door a different deep shade. No more white... The elevation above the street is a fortunate boon that improves the look of your house as well as being practical for drainage etc. With trim paint changes, railing cleanup and a touch of landscaping, your house will easily become a neighborhood star! Good luck!
rinked
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Magnolia Residence 03 · More Info

Century Home · More Info

Mount Curve Ave. Minneapolis, MN · More Info

exterior · More Info
rinked
10 years ago
Tan woodwork sounds good, some black/nightblue or a red door.
The iron rail will blend in just fine when painted black.
hparks74
10 years ago
What about staining the brick?
PRO
Young & Borlik Architects, inc.
10 years ago
I was also going to suggest some landscape layering, and railings with newels, as in the photos "Century Home" and "Mount Curve" above. The suggestions to ground the home and add texture to the foreground are right on.
PRO
Ultra-tec®
10 years ago
Here are some cable railing ideas. http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4579344/thumbs/Residential-Cable-Railing-by-The-Cable-Connection
PRO
Rococo & Taupe, Inc.
10 years ago
Paint the brick! Why is it that everyone on this sites only suggestion is to paint every ugly tired brick fireplace wall white ...Yet no one says paint exterior brick?? I love the idea of a darker taupe paint with a charcoal trim.
User
10 years ago
A narrow deck all the way across the front, held up by 4 brick columns would put everything into proportion no matter what color trim you chose.
PRO
Carolyn Choi
10 years ago
A beautiful rock garden like this one would add a lot of curb appeal :
Mediterranean Front Hillside Garden - Novato, California · More Info
User
10 years ago
Traditionalguy467, I think you mean wrought iron.
traditionalguy467
10 years ago
Thanks Bluenan,

You are so correct! I noticed the mistake, tried to edit it, but the system wouldn't let me make the correction. That's what I get for my late night addiction! I appreciate your discerning eye fellow Houzzer. The best to you!
User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Iol, It reminded me of my husband who always calls barbed wire, "bob wire"...
Allen Loeb
8 years ago
Can we see the after???

Update exterior, possibly paint brick exterior

elcieg

Comments (26)

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Update exterior, possibly paint brick exterior

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