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Design DilemmaExteriorsGardens
liane_wright47

Update very tired front of house and streetscape

Liane Wright
6 years ago

First impressions count right ? So I need some serious advice about what to do with my property. It is on a corner block and has an unappealing rockwall which i think I can hide behind causarina glauca shag pile or cousin it . I need a fence style and house colours please

the house gets full sun and has almost no shade so I think dark colours are not practical, i am trying to keep costs down






Featured Answer
  • julie herbert
    6 years ago
    Hi Liane,
    Have a look at dulux ‘raku’ or ‘stepney’ for your trims and garage, for your wall I would plant dichondra ‘silver falls’ to soften the look, looks fabulous planted with ‘lambs ears and black mondo’ all very hardy plants.

    Comments (41)

    • oklouise
      6 years ago
      last modified: 6 years ago

      a simple white painted open pergola across some or all of the front of the house would give the feeling of a front verandah with potential to add some climbers and a section of transluscent roofing to create a sheltered front porch...a gable roofed section for the porch would be even more interesting

      Liane Wright thanked oklouise

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    • dreamer
      6 years ago
      From your photo, I don't think the wall is unappealing, it is the lack of any plants, and landscaping. I would look into sun hardy plants, and embrace the natural stone wall, not cover it.
      Definitely keep house paint colour light. Choose a colour that enhances the house brick.
      Liane Wright thanked dreamer
    • macyjean
      6 years ago
      last modified: 6 years ago

      I also do not find the wall unappealing. In fact I think it is one of the stronger design features. While greenery cascading over a wall can look lovely I am concerned that in that situation it will only increase the existing impression. What draws my eye in a negative way are the shrubs sort of vaguely half blocking some windows, so some more plants vaguely obscuring what some people would consider a good quality stone wall would just add to that effect. If you personally do not like stone walls then sure, cover it, but in a way that enhances. The other negative is the conspicuous downpipes which I imagine could easily be fixed by painting in a colour to blend with the bricks. You say it's a corner block, so is it only the front that you want to enhance, I see only one house picture? Where is the fence to go and what purpose will it serve?

    • Liane Wright
      Original Author
      6 years ago

      All good questions.the camellias will all go. I live in a coastal area and will start planting native grasses and others soon. FOH needs a fence to separate me from the street and protect dogs. Side garden slopes slightly and will have a tall fence probably paling in cherry pine

    • girlguides
      6 years ago
      Shame to get rid of CAmelia’s as look healthy and beautiful plants You can always trim them. Love your rock wall I’d change front door colour to give wow factor and when they need replacing etc do guttering colours darker Some other plants various heights would be good but leave camellias
      Liane Wright thanked girlguides
    • macyjean
      6 years ago
      last modified: 6 years ago

      What height do you need for the dogs? Is that a gas meter near the front door? I suppose you need to leave that outside the fence for meter reading access? How do camellias go with transplanting, or if not I agree fill in with some other plants.

    • siriuskey
      6 years ago

      Hi there love your rock wall, I suggest using black pool fencing and gate for keeping dogs and kids secure with "Mock Orange "planted along inside it to grow into a hedge trimmed to the same height. A chunky timber pergola for interest from the entrance and across the front of the garage, with rectangle concrete pavers spaced across and below the windows to the front door, You can buy these from Bunnings. Trim or transplant the Camillia's, instead of grassed try mass lavender it brings birds and bees photo for ideas


      Liane Wright thanked siriuskey
    • annb1997
      6 years ago

      Some other interesting colour schemes to consider for house trimwork, garage and possibly front door.

      Is this the Cherrypine paling colour you plan for side fence?

      Liane Wright thanked annb1997
    • wendan26
      6 years ago

      I would NEVER use Dichondra in any garden, a neighbour planted it between his back yard and ours in our old home, it grew under our fence and just took over all our plants, we tried desperately to get rid of it, when we moved homes we re-potted ALL the pot plants from that area thinking we were not going to take this rotten plant to our new home - well guess what we have been in our new home 10 years and are still trying to get rid of this smelly plant, you only need to drop the tiniest bit of a leaf and it shoots, we have tried all the plant specialists as to how to get rid of it, tried all their remedies and poisons and still have the pest.

    • julie herbert
      6 years ago
      Hi wendan26,
      Wow , that sounds like a real problem, how awful for you.
      I have never had that with dichondra, but there is a plant called dollar weed that looks so much like dichondra that is a bit rampant and quite invasive and is often mistaken for dichondra, to get rid of it you can sprinkle it with baking soda , vinegar or dissolve sugar in water and water over plant, do hope this helps your problem.
    • me me
      6 years ago
      Plants can be weeds in some areas and not others, depends on the climate and soil condition.
    • Liane Wright
      Original Author
      6 years ago

      Annb1997 yes that’s the cherry pine. It’s a reddish colour and varies quite a bit in tone along the fence line. I am also looking at planting natives after going to a local nursery on the weekend. Funny that you chose that colour scheme ,I have sample pots of the turquoise and yellow that I have tried out recently.

    • annb1997
      6 years ago

      That is funny! I think you have an attractive home and I also like the rockwall and wouldn't try to hide it, but enhance it with minor landscaping like the trailing plants mentioned. Your house could easily pull off a bright colour for door, etc. Have fun experimenting.

    • PRO
      Vuetrade
      6 years ago

      Here is our Pergola Ideasbook, https://www.houzz.com.au/ideabooks/69917791/thumbs/pergola-ideas-vuetrade-timber-connectors oklouise idea sounds great.

    • Bernadette Staal
      6 years ago

      I think the cheapest thing to do would be to plant in front of the wall, this will give instant curb appeal, no waiting for a plant to grow big enough to drape over the edge from above and it will give you a break between the road and the front of the house. Unless you are wanting to block the house out completely for privacy reasons I would look for a drought tolerant plant (depends on what country you are in) and go for mass planting of the same one or two plants e.g. all of the same in a row e.g. plant 1, plant 2, plant 1, plant 2 etc....... I would try to go for something with some flowers or coloured foliage. Look for high high the plant will grow. Try to buy plants that look uniform e.g. similar size and shape when you purchase. If going for a two plant combination make one tall and one shorter so you fill in any gaps. I think the wall will then just blend into the back ground. Some nice bark mulch and a proper garden edge (even if just cut with a shovel and you will see a dramatic change.

      Liane Wright thanked Bernadette Staal
    • olldroo
      6 years ago

      The sandstone wall is great and will look even better with a pressure wash. Do your driveway too and your house will look so much fresher. Co-ordinate the garage door and the downpipes with a colour from the bricks to really elongate the house and then use a bright cheerful colour for your front door.

      Camellias can take a very severe pruning but I would not try to transplant them, they don't like their roots being disturbed. Sad to see them go but I think the location is definitely wrong and your home would look so much nicer with a low garden of perennials for some seasonal colour, there are perennials that flower at all different times of the year, some almost year round. I wouldn't try to hide your wall, especially once you have pressure cleaned it, but I would suggest a garden above it - check out a Marge Miller camellia, it is a ground covering one and would be great in this position.

      I really like oklouise's suggestion of an open pergola to soften the lines of the house too. Whether you just kept it as a suggestion of a verandah or made a proper verandah would depend on your budget but it opens up a lot of possibilities depending on how it would affect the light in the front rooms.

      Liane Wright thanked olldroo
    • dressmyhouse
      6 years ago

      I love rock wall and think you should work with it rather than trying to disguise it. Place a few bushes in front of it to soften it. A picket or pool fence would be lovely and not shut off the house. I love the camellias but they are in the wrong place. One each side of the front door and some low planting under the windows would be much better. Keep the walls light and make a feature front door with a bright colour to match your plants.

      Liane Wright thanked dressmyhouse
    • Sue Gelade
      6 years ago

      With full sun and no shade, what about a couple of hardy but attractive deciduous trees in the front? She’d in summer and light and sun in winter - with added bonus of coloured leaves in Autumn and if you choose well, pretty blossom in Spring! You don’t mention which coastal area you are, so won’t make any type suggestions as climate and soil will impact choice. I have lifted the canopy of camellias and turned them to trees, but yours are in an unfortunate place.

      Liane Wright thanked Sue Gelade
    • julie herbert
      6 years ago
      Hi Liane,
      It is a shame about cameliasbut removing them will give your house a new lease of life, a gorgeous magnolia either side of entrance, flanked by a low viburnum (glossy and lush) hedge along front of house, lovely pots at front door, and the gorgeous lambs ears , mondo and silver falls trailing over your wall, could look gorgeous
      Liane Wright thanked julie herbert
    • Melbourne44 Melbourne44Musk
      6 years ago

      If you had the money I would render the house white at least across the whole front and use the pegola idea as well . The stone wall would then be a feature with planting and maybe a colour from the wall on the front door. Keep it simple ...many ordinary houses round here have been rendered and look fantastic. Then green planting is highlighted and the whole thing looks fresh.

      Liane Wright thanked Melbourne44 Melbourne44Musk
    • Chris
      6 years ago
      Hi Liane
      We have very similar brick work and have gone for a contrast with deep blue grey down pipes and facia. We used fire engine red on the front door to make a feature. I think the idea of greenery spilling over the rock wall would look fantastic. It was very inexpensive to update and looks fabulous- good luck.
      Liane Wright thanked Chris
    • wendan26
      6 years ago

      Thanks for your input Julie Herbert, the worse plant of our lifetime is definitely Dichondra, and all the remedies you have named have been tried and tested to absolutely no avail, we just have to keep pulling it out every time we find another patch, as said I would never ever recommend it to anyone ever.

    • Liane Wright
      Original Author
      6 years ago

      Thank you all for the great ideas.. Olldroo I wish it was sandstone, local rock only. I am unable to plant in front of the wall that is the road verge

    • Kath
      6 years ago

      I like the rock wall too and local rock is just fine. I'd encourage you to go ahead with your idea of using natives. There are some to suit any situation - for instance the named varieties of grevilleas that flower pretty much all year. Without knowing your climate it's hard to make suggestions, but a website such as http://www.gardeningwithangus.com.au/plant-search/ is a good starting place as you can use the 'advanced search' to specify lots of different factors. Many natives can be hedged and they would look good inside the fence along the top of the wall.

      Liane Wright thanked Kath
    • olldroo
      6 years ago

      Don't really know "local rock" where I was in Sydney local rock was sandstone. Should still be worth a pressure wash.

    • Liane Wright
      Original Author
      6 years ago

      You are right and on closer examination it does look like sandstone just much redder than I have seen before. Will wash and see what happens

    • Rhonda Whybrow
      6 years ago

      I would keep the stone wall as a base and build a screen style fence behind it. You could get quite creative with how you want it to look, even incorporating the cherry wood if you wish, good luck!

      Liane Wright thanked Rhonda Whybrow
    • vicki Lavender
      6 years ago
      last modified: 6 years ago

      I can see a white pergola in timber right along the front that is attached to the main wall , and 150cm out from the front, then grow a pretty vine up every post.

      The main focal point would be double posts either side of the entrance all painted white, with 2 lovely pots either side of the front door.

      You could also put 1 mtre X 3 wide steps about 3 mtr's along from the driveway as a better introduction to the front door, with a curved path to the front door.

      Liane Wright thanked vicki Lavender
    • scottevie
      6 years ago
      last modified: 6 years ago

      I would aim for plants that varying n height to break up the strong horizontal lines created by the roof and rock wall. Choosing a fence design with narrow and widely spaced slats that allow the house and garden to be viewed from street level would also be helpful for street appeal.

      If you go with the turquoise festure front door then you can introduce pops of yellow with plants such as kangaroo paw and euphorbia (toxic sap).

      Bonifield Residence · More Info

      A feature pot to the left of the door to obscure but not block access to the gas metre...

      Contemporary Seaside Garden · More Info

      Contemporary Seaside Garden · More Info

    • Liane Wright
      Original Author
      6 years ago

      Thanks Scottevie... I am big mcm fan will check out Bonifield Residence. A lot will depend on fence choice

    • User
      6 years ago

      Everyone has different tastes and styles , and it also depends wwhat you are wanting to achieve . If it was my place , I'd basically use olddroos suggestions and chris's -- waterblast the stone wall and house , and driveway while you are at it . Add a bright colour to the door , garage door and maybe guttering ( I think the guttering may be white plastic -- more difficult to paint successfully , and the white isn't too bad ) . Personally , I'd go for a orange for the front door and garage door , but if you want feel thats too over the top , just go with orange ( or yellow or red or even green or similar ) on the window and door frames , and keep the doors a crisp white . The front entrance looks like it is wood -- aluminium is harder to paint , but not impossible .

      Then , right along the path , i'd do a low 60 cm tall horizontal trellis type fence in a lighter to mid brown stain , with a solid 75 x 75 top rail and posts , in the same stain . Set this ornamental fence maybe 40cm towards the street from the edge of the path , put in a stone or bark garden , then succulents , wattles , cactus -- low maintanence , modern . The 'ball' shaped shrub would even fit in -- the ones in front of the windows not so much , but even if you leave them , the other features will draw attention away from them .

      Depending on your DIY skills , $1000-2000 of materials and plants and paint would change the look way more positively , but thats just my taste and opinion .

      Liane Wright thanked User
    • avrild100
      6 years ago

      The white garage door needs to go as it really makes the facade look imbalanced; the white down pipes etc and other trim could do with a darker modern take as well which both your brick and roof colors lend themselves to.

      You may not be able to add any structure to the front line of the house as Council set-backs will govern this and you already look pretty close to the front boundary.

      To add some focus, I would remove a section of the stone wall to the front of your main entrance, put in some steps, reuse the stone as siding to these and add planting / small trees to either side of a pathway to the front door (perhaps relocating your existing plants if you like them) and move your letterbox to this location.

      A fence across the front in whatever style your are leaning toward, set back slightly to allow a narrow front planting, like Julie H suggests would add further drama and provide a courtyard type feel on the inside to enable some french doors perhaps with small deck / paved areas to the most L/R outer windows (although permits needed here) to bring some outdoors in, if these rooms are appropriate for this.

      Liane Wright thanked avrild100
    • helenlea1
      5 years ago

      hi I like several of the above ideas, I didn't read all of them, but I like the idea of a path to your front door, you would need to put steps in the rock wall, and it does depend if you can go to the curve and if you plant small leading to high plants and wide to narrow this welcomes you in to your home. I forgot to mention my front is a lot worse, what use to be the front of the house is now the back due to the land being sub divided, We have been saving for a front deck as we are cut into the hill and from the road you see under the house and it's straight up on metal posts. I have used plants and a path to break this but until I get a deck, I dream it's there.


      Liane Wright thanked helenlea1
    • Sheryl
      5 years ago
      Hi there, I personally don't like the look of that rock wall with your home. It does nothing for it. I would get rid of it, you may even be able to sell the rock for a bit of cash.
      I would besser block a retaining wall in its place with posts and render this, then use your timber horizontally slated between the posts. Select a paint colour that works nice with your timber colour and carry the colour through to your house. This will also work in with your side timber fence.
      Also remove all the plants in the front, just because they are lovely doesn't mean they are in the right place or serve a purpose, you may be able to transplant them somewhere else in the yard.
      Plants: mop tops are a great feature tree and give lots of shade in summer.
      A hedge along the inside of the fence would look great, Lilly pilly's are good and Japanese box is tough as boots and requires little water once up a bit. Westringia, birds of paradise, hibiscus, viburnum, Murraya all take heat, depends on what look your after. My average temps in summer are 47 degrees and winter -3 & these plants survive.
      Yes I also agree with a path from the front to the door.
      Front door to house could have some timber posts added with an awning/patio to make it stand out. The timber would carry through from the front fence. Painting the brick can also give it a lift if you don't want to go modern with render.
      You could also paint the concrete driveway, there are some snazzy options available for this, plain or stencil.
      Best of luck! I'm sure it will come up a treat.
      Liane Wright thanked Sheryl
    • Mary Bills
      5 years ago
      I can’t access the other comments at the moment, so apologies if this has already been suggested...
      Rather than plant something cascading, I would build out the steps from the retaining wall and planting something full bodied that reaches above the height of the wall when full grown... that way you’re softening the front, and not spending money on a new retaining wall. Your favourite fence can be fixed on top of the retaining wall instead and if you need security a gate could be placed at the top of the stairs. Landscaping the edges of a path to the front door would add a good hierarchy and improve street presence / appeal too.
      Choose low maintenance though if you can remembering that hedges look gorgeous but take a lot of up keep
      This facade is a blank canvas and you could paint or clad it in any number of ways depending on your dream style. Good bones is all you need!
      Good luck!
      Liane Wright thanked Mary Bills
    • User
      5 years ago

      Hi Lianne,

      I also like the rock wall, and it will look much better after being pressure washed. Depending on the height of the fence you want, I'd put in an inconspicuous black steel fence (pool-fence style) just behind the wall and disguise it with a hedge - Raphiolepis is a good tough choice for coastal areas if 50-70cm is high enough, otherwise use Murraya, lilly pilly or Westringia. My best tip for selecting plants is to notice what's working for other people in your neighbourhood, especially the more 'neglected' gardens. The plants that are thriving in those gardens will probably do well in yours too.

    • Liane Wright
      Original Author
      5 years ago

      Thanks for that but I am trying to disguise the length of the house so a hedge won’t work. I have been thinking about the black pool fence though, unassuming and simple.

    • siriuskey
      5 years ago

      I agree Lianne the black pool fence looks good with or without a hedge planted behind it for privacy, it's also affordable and can be purchased from Bunnings if you have a handy person in the family cheers

    • dandjm
      5 years ago

      Hi,

      A lot of people would pay alot of money to have a rock wall like yours.

      I noticed you want to disguise the length of the house, by planting a few tall growing trees either end will help with that.

      A lick of paint, the black fence, nice green hedge and a splash of colour with some flowers will do the trick.

      Of course...you could keep going forever...but we arent sure of your budget so jotting that down here will help all us houzzes

      oklouise idea is good... will give your home character....it needs it badly.

    • daf Marie
      5 years ago
      Rock retaining wall should stay, too expensive to remove its not the problem.( I like it , unless it's about to fall away.)
      Pull out the front section of the house by the door, so the facade is not flat, for shelter/ welcome area. With some imposing pillars.
      Add a new timber door and frame to update.
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