exterior ugly house help!
Hi! I am a first time home owner. We found a great deal on a little bit of an ugly duckling. It is very beautiful on the inside but the outside needs some help. I have no good ideas on what we could do to jazz it up. I’m thinking maybe a big covered porch the whole front of the house with stairs down the middle leading to the front door. All suggestions welcome
Comments (16)
Connecticut Yankeeeee
2 months agohillary maclean
2 months agoIt’s sitting on just over an acre and a half, I don’t have any particular Color’s we love. I love nature inspired ones for sure and am I big fan of natural wood! Hope this helps
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Please help. I need suggestions for exterior redesign of house.
Comments (15)hello bonnielynn75 and THANK YOU! your comment put a smile on my face re the red on the interior side of the door. It IS red on the inside as well, he insisted on that when we purchased it. no one here has it red on the inside and I wanted it to be white on the inside. do you see my dilemma?;) I agree with everything you are saying, I suppose this is the reason why so far I was not 100% sure about the black for the door either, although I like black...Agree, there is too much wall and I find the house to be looking a bit 'bland' and would like to change that. I LOVE shutters, but read somewhere that you never put shutters on wide windows, so got unsure about that, too...but perhaps just the one as I stated earlier. Would the color on that shutter be the same as the door (if I ever settle on a door color)? Unfortunately window boxes are not an option as we have quite a few cats and they may be used as litter boxes;) please don't tell me to get rid of the cats;)... Regarding the stoop (entrance) : we need to add another step (made of cement) on top of the existing step: it was removed when the new door was fitted. We were thinking of putting slate tiles or something dark to match the roof, if that makes any sense.... It is porous cement so unsuitable for painting, I think. What place in Ireland did you visit, we are close to the Irish Sea in the country surrounded by sheep;)......See MoreHelp with ugly view from living/dining area
Comments (13)I would use plants to brighten the space. The hardscapes are all good, they just look a bit naked and grim. It can be hard to make a space pretty but usable for the kids too, but its not impossible. You have a lovely sitting area to enjoy. Plant some lovely feature bushes in that gravel area. You don't need to completely hide the clothesline, but having something pretty and showy in front will create a boundary and the eye will be drawn to the plants instead of the washing. If you can't plant into the soil there, some large size pots will work. Maybe some medium sized (1-2metre) ornamental trees in pots, like citrus, a weeping ornamental cherry, or bay trees, moptop robinias are nice too. They will be compact. You could cluster some pots of herbs underneath or plant them and let them ramble a little. Herbs like thyme and rosemary and lavender will suit the gravel area and the heat and be hardy with kids playing around, the odd bike falling on them or crushing underfoot would be quite okay. bulbs in pots or planted around the edges of the lawn are great value low maintenance and hardy colour. You can get great seasonal variation in your view then. Online bulb stores like tesselar and garden express sell bulk landscaping bulbs at very reasonable prices. You can get hundreds of bulbs for $30-50. Bulbs are great hardy plants that won't be killed by the odd soccer ball either. The flowers may get knocked over or the leaves, but the bulb is safe under the soil. Cheap and cheerfuls like nasturtiums are good value colour that will self seed every season. Also, plant some very bright flowering shrubs behind the soccer net and against the far wall. Maybe some hibiscus? You need something to catch and entice the eye, plant some large flowering shrubs with larger or bright flowers or foliage you will be able to appreciate from a distance....See MoreExterior remodelling of a 1970's house, Creative Advice Needed!!!
Comments (1)http://www.homebuilding.co.uk/2012/03/30/cladding-new-facades-for-ugly-homes/ Hi. You may get more responses if you upload some pics. What elements of georgian architecture do you like? If you like sash windows why not look at the attached or maybe consider a New England style houses as sashes were common? Is the ground floor of the house wide enough to take a door and 2 windows?...See MoreExterior House Help Required
Comments (3)Hello Cork2015, Looking like a very tidy home... I like the black on brick and its lovely to have a difference in texture that the brick offers, rather than all render which would not be as appealing I feel.....What about considering painting the window sill on the ground level black, this will blend nicely with the sliding doors.. The eye is not drawn to it either... Then you might want to add some plants in large pots... 2 square metal planters with something nice in could be lovely either side of the sliding doors.. possibly two pots under the window too... They work in a variety of settings not just period homes.. Have a look at these ideas.. : )) A line along the aggregate could be lovely... 2 more either side of the sliding doors and two under the window... Lovely and easy! 2 either side of the front door down the side... (if less light they could be artificial there)...See More
ShadyWillowFarm
2 months agohillary maclean
2 months ago
PROOTM Designs & Remodeling Inc.
2 months ago
Maureen
2 months agolast modified: 2 months agoFor $100K, I’d look for a local pro who can suggest a range of improvements and the cost per item. Really consider your priorities (need vs want) and what you could do down road. Get a quote on painting as well and don’t paint until you have the rest figured out, so it enhances the look.
My priority would be creating a walkway from driveway (landscaping could be added now or in future, as it will have a major impact) ) and a more functional/attractive entrance.Depending on how you see yourself using the front yard, do in a “stage two”, but you may decide improved backyard usage would be a better decision. In the meantime, drive around to see what others have done, if there are similar homes in the vicinity. It‘s a big investment and you want to be sure of your decisions. Always have in mind the big picture.
deegw
2 months agolast modified: 2 months agoNice!
I agree that a hardscape plan - an upgraded front porch, a walkway with a landing under the door, plant beds with stone edging, and perhaps a stone wall, - should be part of your update.
Don't skimp on the hardscape, a wide gracefully curved walkway will add much more curb appeal than a thin L-shaped one. The landscape will grow, hardscape won't.
PROBeverlyFLADeziner
2 months agoYour home is a raised ranch and it requires a better way to get to the front door short of going up a set of ugly wood steps. IMO the steps should not be sideways but directly in front. Here are some images of homes similar to yours that have steps in the front and have improved the homes by adding a different-facing material to the bottom portion of the home
- PRO
lisedv
2 months agolast modified: 2 months agoBelow is a visual of my suggestions.
- Build a small roof above the porch (nice option but can be skipped)
- Enlarge the frames around the windows
- Install white vertical siding around the front door area
- Install a new wood front door and 2 barn style black sconces
- Paint the roof black and the siding charcoal - all trim in white
- Build a railing for the porch with a wood floor and stairs
- Install lattice panels under the porch and paint the same colour as siding
- Work on the landscaping (something like grasses are easy to care for) and install a walkway to driveway
Kat M
2 months agoWhat style do you like because this could be really different, if you wanted. Here is an example of a modern overhang, deck, stairs, on a flat fronted house. I think @Maureen is correct, you should consult with a local pro and work out just what you want.
ShadyWillowFarm
2 months ago
PROPrinceton Design Collaborative
2 months ago
PROJaniczek Homes
last monthHi Hillary,
Ugly duckling or complete blank slate?? I saw your post and immediately thought of the Bright Bazaar blogger who bought a similar, blank slate-type of home. He updated his home with new landscaping, walkways, and shingles. I attached a few photos that might inspire!
Best wishes with making your new house a home!
PRORappArchitecture
last monthDesign Fan
last monthlast modified: last month
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Patricia Colwell Consulting