Are we there yet?

13 years ago

last modified: 13 years ago

Turned a 1955 two colored split level into this....but not sure we are done yet with the exterior. Something still seems wrong. Any comments or suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

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PRO

Design Mode

13 years ago

You have really updated your house with the new entry, and added great impact. What a difference.
I think you should paint out the orange above the garage. There is no architectural feature there, and no a reason to draw attention to that area with a bright colour. Your two orange tones at the entry are the focal point, and it's only natural for visitors to want to know where the door is. You have a unique, and cheery entry, and if I was visiting, I would keenly anticipate looking at the interior.
On the rest of the exterior, your colour blocking on the roof, & upper and lower areas creates subtle and interesting contrasts. It all works. (Except that mysterious region above the garage.)
Under the windows on the right-side, I think some lime'green & white variegated low plantings would give you some freshness.
Play with it on a computer paint program.

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Comments (30)

ssrieke
Original Author
13 years ago
Before photo house is blue and white. After is orange and grey...
Tera Lambert
13 years ago
I don't like the orange, I've never seen orange on a house. Maybe we live in totally different places and that's normal or popular there. I would have to get rid of the orange, but everybody's taste is different. You probably wouldn't like my house color, LOL. I might would change the orange to black, but I'm not an expert or anything.
mjlb
13 years ago
I'm impressed -- Great job! On first impression, I really love the color blocking and combination.

Upon reflection, maybe the orange above the garage needs something, but I'm not sure what.
PRO
Schoolhouse Renovation Inc
13 years ago
I think the orang should wrap extend on the other side of the windows so it appears to connect to the orange on the porch facade. It is too isolated alone in the middle of the windows. Just my thoughts.
PRO
Dytecture
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I agree with the orange looking part could be a bit darker with more brown tones to blend in with the siding.

zipper house · More Info
ssrieke
Original Author
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Thanks for taking the time to provide great feedback. I appreciate your responses...will post more pictures of the after to give you a better idea of the rest of the house.
orangecamera
13 years ago
I love to see orange on the outside of the house, it's fresh and unexpected. If I were allowed where I live, I'd have an orange front door.

I agree with others that there's something wonky about the orange above the garage. Maybe continue the orange ONLY to the left of the left window. Also paint the front of your chimney orange, and a vertical area under the right-most window of the house (same width of the window, all the way down to the ground).

I think you need some vertical and some horizontal color blocks to make it look "right".
A Small Retreat by the Ocean · More Info

This one is a bit much for your house, but check out how interesting an angled line can be. You can do that with paint too, maybe to the extreme left and right of your house.
Fabio Galeazzo Brazil · More Info

I'm looking forward to seeing photos of the inside!
mmilos
13 years ago
I think you're drawing attention to weird spots on the house with the orange paint. I would paint all what you have orange now the dark gray color and paint only the front door orange.
Tera Lambert
13 years ago
I agree with mmilos, if you are in love with orange I would only have it on the door to make the door pop. But with the dark gray everywhere I think a red door would be beautiful.
houssaon
13 years ago
I like the look, but if you go a shade or two darker as Dytecture suggested, the yellow tone door will pop more. The porch post could be larger. It might help to add vertical boards to simulate board and batten in the area between the windows and the porch roof.
PRO
creations landscape designs
13 years ago
I would suggest killing the lawn and replacing it with plants. I have many photos albums in my profile to give you ideas.
ssrieke
Original Author
13 years ago
as you can see, I love orange! Basically the addition to the house is Eichler vertical siding and is orange. Any "new" on the house is orange with the existing siding grey.
ssrieke
Original Author
13 years ago
orangecamera, I added those houses to my ideabooks. Yes, I definitely appreciate mid century modern and the use of vibrant color. After all, it is just paint and it makes me happy!
houssaon
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
These photos show your house off better than the first one we saw. I take back what I said about adding boards to make it look like board and batten. But I still think the porch post could be thicker.

I really think what the house is missing is landscaping. Most modern designs are very linear. It looks like the tree makes for a shady front yard, so the plants will need to be shade tolerant. I would make a minimal grass area and plant native shrubs, perennials and self seeding annuals. Look for varigated and burgundy, as well as, green. Look for something with height for the space between the two windows on the right. See:
Front Yard Retreat · More Info

steps · More Info
and
San Francisco Residence · More Info

How about a rock garden?
Spokane Midcentury - Mary Jean & Joel E. Ferris, II House · More Info

I would also update the lighting, so you can get rid of the pole light.
Dar Eckert
13 years ago
You're gutsy to use so much orange. I love orange too but think its all good except for the rectangle on the garage. It seems like it should be a band of orange or the garage should be orange. You coould paint the entire gable orange but that would be too much.
Too Cutedobs
13 years ago
Hostas will grow beautifully in your shaded yard.
PRO
Bassett Furniture Design Studio
13 years ago
Love your color selection and the use of contrasting hues. The color block over the garage draws the eye and is really not the key focal point of the home. It's important in Feng Shui to draw the energy into the front door. Consider an architectural element for the windows above the garage.
decoenthusiaste
13 years ago
I hope you have a larger support post in mind for the porch - way too slender. I like all but the part between those windows. First thought: you put a piece of plywood leaned inside for a window covering. Don't mind the orange, but I think an orange metal awning spanning that space and those windows would be a more logical and appealing solution. Check out some xeriscape solutions to the landscape - they don't have to be cacti as some believe.
Exterior · More Info
PRO
User
13 years ago
I like it. I do agree that the orange over the garage needs something. Maybe if it were bumped out a bit to create an architectural statement as well, just a thought. The entry post NEEDS to be more substantial.
Marzia Razavi
13 years ago
Let the grass grow up to the tree. Get rid of the mulched area next to the driveway and fill with grass, the hedge up agaisnt the side of the house near the door, notice how it blocks the line of site to the door so replace with more suitable plants, house needs a contrasting colored trim I think....put trim around windows and paint a contrasting color, add shutters to windows. Get rid of the orange painted...??
PRO
Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design
13 years ago
Began to like your orange blocking with more photos - do agree that your entry post needs some oomph! In the photo below we added metal element with the orange and it worked well and check out the posts!
Renee
13 years ago
I like the orange. I even like it over the garage. If you keep the orange over the garage, consider more orange at the other side of the house under the windows for balance. Big orange planters or a rectangular orange strip under the windows would work well. Definitely enlarge the post and add lighting so you can get rid of the lamp post. What a great redo!
PRO
The Tin Roof-Interior Design & Fine Furniture
13 years ago
I like it! Orange is such a nice pop of color around here on all those dreary days we have. I'd agree with some landscaping and including some orange elements in the yard somewhere. I think looks looks amazing - great job on a nice update for your home!
PRO
Luminous Spaces
13 years ago
I agree with Scott and many others that the orange doesn't look right over the garage. It is definitely the first thing that your eye is drawn to and it seems to fall flat. It does not help the design scheme at all, but instead drains the energy. I would paint that gray as well, perhap add an architectural metal element to hang there so it's not just a solid block of gray. I love the colors at the front door and other touches around the home. Add more substantial plantings are the entry and hostas around the tree is a great idea from toocutedobs! Good luck!
ladybuggz
13 years ago
How about some fancy black iron work designs on the orange area's, something to make them pop!
PRO
Five Star Painting of Austin
9 years ago
This looks fun! Have you thought about framing the windows? I could see plants on the windowsill being a great addition!
PRO
Mega Builders
9 years ago
Very nicely done!
Anastasia Kravets
9 years ago
I like your house! I think if you go with this much orange, you should add some on the front of the house. Maybe have the garage doors painted orange, too?
PRO
Pacific Coast Custom Design
9 years ago
Nicely done!