Tuesday
Jun082010
House facade help
Tue, 8 Jun 2010I could not resist posting this request we got recently from Marcelo and Shanti: "We bought a house for us and our three kids... but the facade is ugly as it gets... Please help us as our kids are ashamed from the house..." I have to admit that this may be one of the ugliest exteriors I've ever seen.
Does anyone have any suggestions for these poor folks? I'm clueless when it comes to exteriors - and when it's this wacky I'm even more clueless. (I would like to make one suggestion - that you save up some cash to get that top left window replaced so it can be the same size as the others).
Reader Comments (41)
I'd lose the awning, and until you can save up for new windows, take out the diagonal window mullions. I'd paint the brick (and the siding), especially since the brick color looks unnatural. Some landscaping on the left side (under mailbox) would look nice, as would removing that huge bush thing to the left of the house. I'm sure someone else will have an idea for improving that entryway. Check out Lauren's exterior transformation on Pure Style Home blog.
What do the other houses in the neighborhood look like? Get some inspiration from them.
without knowing the character of the neighborhood.. I have a few ideas
(1) It looks like the front is being covered by the monstrous tree. It might be wise to replace it with a smaller scale tree that allows you to see the house better
(2) Call some local wood workers and see if they have any ideas (and price points) to add a front porch with an overhang.. The small little portico isn't working for me.
(3) Are the window shades beneficial? Would you prefer more light coming through? I'm personally not crazy about them. I bet you could see them on Craigslist, too
(4) Do something with the walkway .. if you can't make it wider, add some decorative plants to make it look like it's curvy.
(5) Play with colors for the top & the door. Get a bunch of different samples and try them on different parts of the portico overhang & the door.
(6) If you want to go wild, could do a porch/deck for the 2nd level? Instead of matching the window, open it up completely with a doors.
(7) Take each improvement with stride.. start with the tree, then the paint of the siding & the door
This is a cool house! A great opportunity to make it shine. I'm a landscape architect, I know curb appeal is something of importance! First, I would take out the tall bushes, or even all the landscaping there to the left of the photo. The house isn't symmetrical, so take away the symmetrical tall platings! I like the smaller window on the left. I would also take out the tall plants in front of the bottom window on the right. I would instead add a planting area on the left side of the door entryway (and move the 2 tall plants here). I would make it more of a raised planting bed and maybe use light colored brick to match the house, something like what is on the left side, but a different shape. I would also paint the front door & trim something besides bright white, maybe a warm grey for example to tone it down. otherwise, something like a new modern mailbox, lights, house numbers, could do wonders. The colors work well on the rest of the house!
Hmm. I'm not too familiar with facades, either, but we chose Hardi siding to replace our wood siding when we had to -- it's a durable material (concrete-based!) and made to look like either wood plank or sheeting. I liked the horizontal-style planking, which would maybe help out only a smidge for this exterior. If budget's an issue, it definitely wouldn't hurt to paint, and just remove those awning-type window coverings, get rid of the cross-hatch burglar-bars, and maybe extend that porch just a bit? Perhaps not with a brick wall or anything, but even cutting out a section of the lawn, and either surfacing that with pavers or concrete or the gravel-type of material used in xeriscaping, at least to start out with, and figure out the cover later... Just a starting point!
Lose the awnings -- hey, it's free. I agree that new windows and a new front door would drastically improve things (if you're going to replace them anyway, make the left window the same size as the right). Get paint ideas from paint stores; there's' usually plenty of inspiration to be had in the various publications and freebie color boards. Benjamin Moore Exteriors is one of my favorite books (got it at a paint store). Talks about styles/colors. Start trimming back the landscaping and see where it leads you. I think a new portico design could make it fresh and modern. Hope this is helpful.
this is actually a much easier fix than you think. build a white porch that goes across the entire front of the house, and give it a shallow-ish overhang. paint the brick white, paint the door a bright red, lose the awnings on top of the windows. put a garden box under the small window...Done. Or, if you are in the Atlanta area, apply to be on Curb Appeal on HGTV. Send some AFTER shots!
Lindsey
We have several of these house in our town, 60/70 style. Paint the sideing a darker color than the brink, sherwin-williams 6118 might work well. Then paint the front door a sw6474 green for contrast. If you could remove the canopy above the windows and doors it would really open up the front of the house. If you could take out the dividers in the windows, it dates the house. Adding a large window box under the small window would give interest to the area and give some balance to the windows. I like the ideas from the garden architect about the new garden area and plants. The house has good bones, just need to be updated. You can always start small by removeing the things that draw attention. Good luck.
I'd replace the door with something more modern (check out Dwell magazine for inspiration, or its website; ) and if possible, remove the diamond faux mullions in the windows. Actually, I'd replace all the windows with awning windows (i.e. Pella's Designer Series Awning windows). The house has modern proportions, but with all of these "traditional" details, and that throws it off, for me. The door should be a similar color to the house paint or just slightly darker in tone to stand out some.
I'd also look at extending the "porch" out over the door, as someone else suggested, to give the entry a more welcoming, sheltered feel, and get rid of the two taller plants that grow in front of the window on the first floor.
Also, the color of green is a bit "mint" for that tone of brick (if my monitor's colors are correct). I've seen that orangey color of brick done very well with a more sage color of trim paint. It can be really stunning.
And one last thing: if it was me (which it's not, but hey, you asked, so....) I'd replace the cloth awnings over the windows with metal ones, but in a modern style. A similar style to this one, but not necessarily in copper (which is expensive):
http://www.cannoncopper.com/PhotoGallery/PhotoDisplay.asp?p1=282&p2=0&p3=3771&p8=2128&Sort=&PSort=&POrder=
It looks like that side of your house gets a LOT of sun, so I don't think ditching the shades is a viable option, if my analysis is correct. Or, you could always get rid of the exterior shades and look at doing interior Roman shades with blackout lining to cut down on heat gain.
It's so cute! It just needs a very little attention to be adorable.
Folks have already mentioned taking down the portico, mullions and shutters. This will make a huge difference! It will look more open and fresh faced, and it won't con't a dime.
Different neutral paint colors on the bricks and the top floor would sooth the contrast, you could even choose a bright color for the door to make it pop and be all welcoming.
I love a big tree in a front yard, it's so homey, but I think that taking out the plants behind the tree that are directly beneath the window - and obscuring it - would massively tidy up the garden. Plants, especially flowering ones, that wouldn't grow higher than the window would look fab in that bed. And the bush on the other side of the lawn needs a nice trim.
These simple steps would cost very little. If you then want to go a little further, I really think the vertical blinds in the bottom window should go and colorful curtains would draw the eye to the windows.
Good luck! Hope you have fun smartening up your lovely house!
The windows of a house are like the eyes of a face, they are the opening to the soul. Money to one side, get new, and different shaped windows that are vertical not horizontal and all the same size. Put shutters on them. Get rid of the awnings. Change out that front door to one that is all glass, the same style you use for the windows, or double doors that will take up the same space that is there now. I would prefer glass myself which lets in light and is attractive from the road. Abolish that big tree, or at least limb it way way up. Take out all the other plants and start with a lawn renovation until you get your feet under you about the style you want, then plant. Old lawns need to be rototilled, the soil amended and then replanted. It will take a couple of years to get the lawn you deserve but when you do it will have been worth the wait. Get rid of the cement walk and put in a slightly curved flagstone walk edged with brick. Get rid of that little gabled affair over the front door. The roof over the front door would blend in better if it was straight across, maybe with shake shingles and oversized posts at the corners to draw attention to the doorway instead of the ugly front. Then I would paint the whole affair the same color. Those brick are nobodies friend, paint them. You can save yourself some money by going to "Habitat" where the prices are about half of what things sell for new at Lowe's. It take a lot of visits though because Habitat just sells what is donated. If you go there often enough you can get most of what you need. Second place to look is Craig's List online. Doesn't cost anything. I recently got a 5 burner G.E. cook top for $100 that sells new for $1200. The third place to look are architectural salvage stores. You are going to have so much fun! Feel free to email me, annorr@helix,nih.gov
I think with a few free adjustments, you will see a difference in your house.
I would take off the metal awnings above the windows.
Are the tudorish cross hatches in the screens or windows? If they are in the screens, then I would replace the screens. If they are in the windows then I would plan to replace the windows. I second the idea to replace the small window with one the same size as the right window.
Is the front of the house a different color than the sides? The sides appear white with the front being beige/coral brick and light mint.
I would repaint the house a more neutral color scheme. I would paint the brick to match the siding. (Here's an idea of a neutral craftsman color scheme of shortgrass prairie and powdered snow:
http://www.behr.com/Behr/home#channel=INSPIRATION;vgnextoid=5d47f3e98119c110VgnVCM1000006b0910acRCRD;view=3)
Your house is pretty neutral so you can pickup any style you prefer. It could be adapted to have modern, ranch, colonial or craftsman accents and details. I would look at other houses in your neighborhood and help them guide you. Then look for what you like and go from there. A new mailbox, house numbers and exterior light will also update the house.
Paint can do wonders. I think painting the entire facade of your house the same color will eliminate your eye being drawn to the brick and siding. The color scheme right now draws your eye to it. I think it should blend.
As you probably know, you could spend anywhere from $100 to $50,000 on just this facade so I think it's good to create a long term plan and then devise a priority list so you're moving towards the end goal w/o the risk or having to redo things or settle for temporary solutions. We took this approach with our house, which was super ugly when we bought it (www.chezerbey.com/exterior), and it worked out well. (And for us, living with the ugly until we had the money to do it right was important.)
Here are my two cents. Before you do anything else, I would consider updating the windows. If the aesthetics is a clue to their age, they might be energy wasters as well. I think you could keep the existing sizes (which would save money) and the asymmetry could actually be a good thing since the house has a very flat feeling to it. I think someone else may have mentioned it, but a modern flower box under the shorter window would add a punch and and make the composition more interesting. Scrap the entry roof, consider doing a deeper roof or wood trellis that covers the left portion of the house (from the brick planter over) and is aligned with the line between the brick and siding above. Looks like it's actually a couple steps down to the entry...so a deck or porch might not be feasible. If it's in the budget, you might consider regrading this area to make the approach more inviting (also, be sure that water doesn't drain towards your house or collect in this recessed area). I agree with others about painting the siding above. Darker colors tend to look better with orangish-brick. So, my quick summary would be: windows/door, then new porch/trellis, then paint, then landscape. Have fun!
I love the 70's feel of the house. I think its a cool house and if you address 4 things you will make this house shine - windows, front door, painting, and landscaping.
1. You absolutely have to address the windows. Once they are the same size and updated they alone will make a huge difference. I would loose the awnings in the process.
2. The front door - look for a quality solid wood door with more glass - let that light come shining in! I would also loose the awning above the door too or build a new more impressive entrance. Budget depending :)
3. I would paint the siding a very very dark grey. Look at Farrow and Ball's paint range. I am thinking along the lines of "Railings". I think it will make the house look and feel more contemporary plus it will look fantastic with your new garden!
4. Landscaping - seek professional advice here. I think putting more of the budget into the garden will add enormous curb appeal and value to your already fabulous house.
Do alot of googling about trying to find fun and fabulous 70's style houses that have had a successful update. I am an Australian and there are alot of similar style houses in Queensland that now look amazing - often with lush tropical gardens - beachy, contemporary and funky as! Good luck with the makeover, you are lucky to have such a great house. It just needs to be revealed thats all.
i am not being insulting in any way when i say what i am about to say. in fact, i mean it in a look-at-your-house-in-a-different-light kind of way. the house has a face-awed. the house is animated. it has two eyes with brows, a nose and a mouth out of which it is talking sideways with a silly jimmy stewart accent, drawling, "come on in, kids!" you could just be creative with your house by leaving it as is, giving it a human name like joe or fred and telling people it has its own personality! your children are too serious! tell them (out of the side of your mouth), "don't be so sore!"
I wouldn't paint the brick and I wouldn't remove the tree. I would remove the window shades and the diagonal detail and and cut back the bush to the left, maybe give it an ornamental look? I think you could really embrace a mid-centurty modern look with the place. And play off the asymmetric appearance rather than make it a big box. I'd add a porch cover like this http://imgs.ebuild.com/cms/eplans/2005//35741/AMA509-0000-FPPHC-L.JPG but continue it a little past the left wall. Then paint the roof trim to match, maybe beef it up too?
I don't know, I kind of like funky looking homes....I think you might want to focus on some symmetry with curb appeal, bushes, flowers, plants and then spend most of your $ inside and shock the heck out of people when they walk into a fab house full of gorgeous artwork,furniture and decor. Don't be hatin on your home and the kids will get over it as long as the mom and dad are cool with it.
hi
i'd render the brickwork in a neutral colour and put timber or something that looks like timber horizontal cladding in a similar tone to the bottom. Remove awnings, replace window with timber and make symmetrical.
maybe a deck or pergola right across the 2nd level, depending which way you face, covered in deciduous vines with paving underneath. Large pots and some timber chairs to make it inviting.
I think your house is very cute and just needs a little updating.
Everybody has given you great advice and I don't have much to add, except for the fact that I'm going through the same thing with our ugly ranch house.
I have found that while we don't have more than like $200 to put into updates, removing and changing what I could for free has significantly improved my mood towards our house!
If I were you, this is what I'd do first, while you gather thoughts on the big picture: remove awnings, replace front door with something more modern, and move those 2 shrubs in front of the window to the other side of the door. Just think- you could do all that in a weekend!
Oh and PS- we want to see after photos! :)
First off...congratulations on buying a house!! Secondly, this all depends on how much you have to spend. I would definitely lose the awnings, and take out both of those upper windows. Depending on where the are in the house, I would make one opening a french door that leads out on to a small deck that spans the length of the house. The other window opening should have some simple shutters or nothing at all. A narrowish deck with flower boxes would bring it to life!! Oh, and a new colour of paint on the whole thing...don't leave the brick unless you are going to paint the rest of the house that colour, too.
Good luck!! and can't wait to see the after photos.
This looks to me like a variation on a Vancouver Special style of house. A number of them up here have been bought and turned into something like this:
http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/
It's become something of a cottage industry amongst a small group of architects in Vancouver as there are so many of these visually horrendous houses that have essentially good bones and a large floorplan. With a little work they can be great.
Here's another one for inspiration:
http://www.pechetandrobb.com/lakewood.html
Cute house!
I think it could look really nice with the siding painted to a dark grey or even black. To give it some architectural appeal you could replace the awnings with horizontal slat screens made of wood. The different sizes of the windows is what gives character to this facade. I would make one screen cover both windows in a sort of L shape, running over the area between the windows too. It's probably not too difficult a DIY, and shouldn't be too expensive. That door isn't that bad either, it just needs some of the same paint you chose for the siding.
This house has a lazy eye. I would go modern!
I drew a quick picture of what I would do, check it out: http://www.hellodefine.com/blog/?p=1027
Well, my suggestion comes from my neck of the woods, the Pacific coast. Since you're dealing with an unremittedly square shape, just go with it. Remove the builderish nonsense around the front door and add a generously deep porch across the entire front of the house. Horizontal beams, with translucent panels between (or not!) square pillars at the corners. How enclosed is a matter of taste, and climate; you can use bamboo curtains or carved wooden panels for privacy, partially or fully glass it in for 3-season use, or leave it open and allow the architecture to set the tone.
Personally, I'd go for a 'beach-style' porch -- always a hit with children, very bohemian chic, and also, there's lots of it around my area, and I love how much use they get, and the connection they add to the neighborhood.
The color works, for a beach porch. It's all about layering, really -- lanterns, twinkly lights, chimes, a fountain, a table and cushioned chairs that encourage sitting about and talking, all weather porch rugs, chinese lanterns, plants, an interestingly shabby sideboard for snacks & statuary, all the bits and pieces that make it into a true room. Speakers.
The upper floor isn't that difficult. If you cannot afford high-end windows, don't use aluminum; instead, balance out the difference with a line of planters below the narrow window that echo the porch architecture. Winter is actually the best time for window boxes around here -- in place of flowers, our beach people put out wind-spinners, acrylic or glass flowers & statuettes, led or other mood lighting. Lose those awnings, of course -- replace them with either something more casual, or add wider surrounds that match the (hypothetical) porch architecture. Replace the front door with something that matches the architecture you choose for the porch.
Oh, and nobody ever said a porch had to be a step-up. It can also be a step-down!
I wouldn't get rid of the tree. I'd expand the left window or replace both if possible, and those shutters aren't really needed. Porches are always a good thing to have. :)