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eddy77

Front of house needs help. Portico??

14 years ago
I'm looking for suggestions on improving the curb appeal of my home.

Comments (26)

  • 14 years ago
    Personally, I hate white and brick! I can't really tell what color your brick is, but I would change all of the white to something more harmonious.

    My first brick house I used a vinyl siding in a faux wood which closely matched the color of the brick to extend the line of the house up and did all of the windows and gutters in an Ivy color. If you look at your house, it looks like it is cut in half. If you want to keep some of the white, I would suggest, at minimum, changing the peaks (triangle space of siding) to something that either matches or is a close to the brick color. It will make your house look taller.

    My second brick house had a tri-color brick going from a dark brown to read. That house I changed all of the white (the peaks were brick) to the dark brown and my porch posts and rails to a complementary taupe/beige color to pop.

    Start by getting rid of the white triangle and then go from there.
  • 14 years ago
    Meant red, not read.
  • PRO
    14 years ago
    Agree the white needs to be a color compatible with the brick; add window boxes and stamped concrete walkway to resemble rough cut stones.
  • 14 years ago
    I like the idea of changing that brilliant white walkway to something more compatible with the house. It looks new, so maybe you don't want to rip it out, but maybe you could dye the concrete to match the brick, or maybe explore the idea of stamped concrete in a cobblestone or brick design.

    Changing the peak color would be a big help, too, and maybe change that little square vent to something more decorative.

    Here is one idea, a whimsical little fish cut out, but it could be anything:
    Traditional Exterior · More Info


    When you say "portico" what is your vision for that?
  • 14 years ago
    Here is another gable design:
    From Kids to Quiet · More Info


    And another, with a Greek revival style Porch added in front. Your porch would be higher: https://www.houzz.com/photos/2000-showcase-traditional-exterior-new-york-phvw-vp~66599
  • 14 years ago
    Here are a few ideas:

    1) Paint the brick. It can be done, and, if it cleaned and primed well, it will last for a long time.

    2) I completely agree with others about the white gable. It's the dominant visual on the front of your house; it's what the eye goes to first. Painting the gable and the brick will help immensely.

    3) I would replace the dated looking storm door with a modern, full-view storm door.

    4) Build raised beds with interlocking keystone blocks. The beds don't have to be high, just enough to offer better definition than what you have now.

    5) The front porch is rather bland looking. Try adding some cool planters.

    6) It might just be the lighting, but the front door looks like a black hole -- not very welcoming. Once you get the full view storm door, paint it a fun welcoming color. Maybe paint the brick and gable a nice cream, window trim white, white trimmed storm door, and then an eggplant colored front door.
  • 14 years ago
    You need a porch or at least stair rails and a portico; Black shutters always look good on a red/white brick house; the 'triangle' does not seem to go with the rectangular shape of the house. Large colorful flowering plants near/around the scrubs would make for beautiful curb appeal. The tall tree/bush/scrub in front of the windows needs to be removed and replanted somewhere else on your property. Replace storm door with one that is all glass/plexi-glass from top to bottom, the one you have is dated/grandma's storm door :) (Red/White brick is classic; may only need sand blasting to renew it?).
  • 14 years ago
    *shrubs
  • 14 years ago
    a new front door can do wonders!
  • 14 years ago
    Paint the brick, and trim, change the door, adjust landscaping as per
    Previous comments, agree handrails are needed and planters, change out the door, or just remove storm door, new light fixture, window boxes. All easy DIY projects! Good luck, have fun with it!
  • 14 years ago
    Does anyone have pictures of a front door?
  • 14 years ago
    I think you should consider making that big window bump out like a bay window. Then maybe you could put another gable over it and the door way so that you have a covered entrance. and lift the eye upward from the curb. It all looks too flat and squat. Or try to enhance by adding a front porch to the left of those tall steps with a roof that brings the eye up. Definately need a new front door and gardens around that walk way.
  • 14 years ago
    I added a stamped concrete walk in front of my house, it is a brick color, with some shading worked in to make it look more like real bricks. It was a black powder they used, then after the whole thing was dry, they sealed it. It has been holding up nicely now five years at least.
  • 14 years ago
    Could someone please edit my photo to include a new bump out window and gable over door so i can visualize it> Greatly appreicated!
  • 14 years ago
    No I don't have a scanner hooked up to this computer. We had an older house once that was squat and plain. We did add a bay to front of the house (where your window is) but we also changed the roof line to make a cover the front door. It was essentially a false roof that was over top of the existing roof. The bumped out bay window made the interior feel so much bigger. It had a separate eyebrow roof on top of it. The effect was very cottage like. cute. Wish I had a scanner.
  • 14 years ago
    STAIN your brick (dark grey)....recently found an article about staining brick.. WEBSITE IS: dyebrick.com

    Has anyone tried this product? Looks like a good solution that will last a long time.

    I would also STAIN AND STAMP your new walkway in a stone color and pattern.

    Remove the storm door and replace with solid glass as mentioned above.
  • 14 years ago
    A little tough to get a great retouch since the original pic is so small, but this might help you visualize.
  • 14 years ago
    Thank you! Would u add something above the door?
  • 14 years ago
    When I have a few minutes.
  • 14 years ago
    Paint trim a beige replace door with a color
    Ike red or something that would stand out. Stain concrete walk and stairs trim plants and add plants with color to existing plants
  • 14 years ago
    Paint trim a beige replace door with a color
    Ike red or something that would stand out. Stain concrete walk and stairs trim plants and add plants with color to existing plants
  • 14 years ago
    Cute house! A portico is nice - something to keep the rain off of people. Have it mimic the shape of the roof, only sized for the stoop. I agree with the white gable..paint it - or add some interesting siding in a deeper complimentary color. I do NOT like the bump-out window idea, most interpretations I find awkward looking, especially on a small house. Best of luck!
  • 14 years ago
    Your house is quite nice. I agree with everyone who says paint the trim. Your landscaping is not bad - you could add a few plants. Your walkway looks new - no need to change it. If you could expand the porch and add a portico and a new storm/security door, it would look nice. I am not crazy about the bay window either. Best of luck to you.
  • 14 years ago
    sidney01 thank you for the visual makes it much easier to imagine! How would i extend the porch and portico? Thank you for responding!
  • 13 years ago
    we are thinking of adding a small second story addition to include 3 bedrooms/ master bath etc. Any pictures I can bring to the architect would be much appreciated. Thank you