How can we update the exteriors of this 1964 side split?

4 years ago

We have plans to build on a single car garage and new metal roof on the home. Looking for suggestions to modernize the exterior... remove or paint shutters? paint the brick? replace or paint the siding?

If you were going to just paint the shutters, door and fascia and soffits, what colour would you do?

No budget constraints!

Want to really update the look of this house!

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Comment (1)

Jonathan
4 years ago
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.
Stephanie G thanked Jonathan
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I agree, new front door, and some planting. The main problem is that everything is unrelieved red-brown! walls, windows, door, drive. Except the garage door, which then looks like a mistake! This is a common problem. You need to break up the brown. Render or cladding is probably overkill, there are more subtle solutions. Please don't put in an oak or stained timber door. It might look great in its own right, but will just be changing one brown for another! A painted timber (or composite) door would be best, with the garage door painted to match. Choose a shade of grey or green, avoid red and purple, as you need a good contrast to the brick. Ideally change the windows to cream, or grey-green, but if not, try the shutters. They are a bit 1960s, but might actually suit the style of this house! Painted to match the doors. Consider taking up some small areas of paving near the house to allow planting to create a break between the brick drive and the brick house!
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How can we update the exteriors of this 1964 side split?

Comment (1)

Jonathan

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