What a beautiful building. I want to see inside!

I love the Foo dogs and agree with placing on next to the neighbor's door. I really think anything you do needs to be a partnership with your neighbor to keep the harmony and symmetry. If I had my way, I'd paint both doors a shiny black, and living in the South, the most obvious way to put in a pop of color is to paint the ceilings. Since you have the dogs, you should play up the Chinoise and paint the ceilings a lovely Chinese blue (Farrow & Ball Chinese Blue). You can do it at 100%, but I would probably take it to a 75%. Black doors, like Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black, would totally handle a blue ceiling. It would be really elegant.

Beautiful building!

Once I read the fengshui article that is about the lions are not easy to handle especially place them outside of the residential building, As in China they represent kind of protection to the property because they are such strong, brave, honest animal, it is good for gorvernment or big commercial place, once trying to place them in residential building, you need to make sure the owner is a very "powerful" person who can control the "monsters" and let them only serve for their owner, otherwise they may easily suck the "power" of the owner away and make the owner getting "weaker" on physically and financially, i know it sounds bit superstition but i am sure the professional fengshui must has more scientistic explanation of it but that is how we explain in civilian language.

I hate to be Mr. Downspout but is there any chance of repainting the exterior of the building? Not very attractive.

Love the sentimental use of lions -- can decorate them for holidays or seasons with hats, scarves, wreaths, solar fairy lights, etc. Painted door -- black is good choice but so is a color in keeping with homes style. Seasonal wreath on door; mailbox if this is the right place for that; something tied in with color palette and house style. I agree with flowers and I think handrail window boxes would be easy and elegant; caution not to plant something that attracts bees so close to entrance. Dootmat with personality. What about a stencil on front door as a finishing touch? A word like welcome or hello or flora or fauna? Is there an electrical outlet? If not solar. HGTV Magazine has a regular column on front entrances for inspiration . .. good luck!

I love the Chinese lions! I think they go perfectly with this very traditional architecture. Very English looking. I like the black door idea, also. Since you have the graphite details, I guess you should keep them, but brass/antique brass would be pretty. I would simply add a small urn with a small vertical green topiary of some sort to the outside of each lion. A very simple conical shape. It can be faux. There are some very nice ones available. A nice ornate metal door ''mat'' would fit the look. Then add a nice bright pop of color to the door with a seasonal door hanging/wreath.

What a beautiful building! I am in love with the lions and think the idea someone had to flank fireplace is incredible. They are such a huge statement that the impact inside would be crazy good. In photo they almost seem lost behind railing. Lucky you to inherit such great taste. Would love to see your other family heirlooms!!!

very pretty! I think a black door would be fab, because right now it kind of blends in. Also would add a fun fall wreath and some mums!

would love to see the inside!

Am I the only one who thinks the building is overdone and over-the-top. Too many triangles and boxes and circles paired with so many windows.

Also, can't believe there are no guide lines that will limit the color of the doors or the color of drapes hung in all those windows.

I love your townhouse complex! Very elegant. I agree with some of the other posts that you have to be in agreement with your neighbour and paint the two front doors black. Failing that I'd leave it as is. It will only work if both are on board otherwise it will look disconnected and less regal. Love the light fixtures and the dogs. No wreaths on the doors..that's too country looking. Only a door knocker to keep the elegant look about it. Some greenery planting in front...the same as your neighbour. Then it will read as a bigger house than it is and not look like you're trying to be different for the sake of being different. It looks great and will look even better with grass and pavement to finish it all off. Good luck.

Would love to see doors in flat charcoal tone. Divvy the foo dogs up - symmetry is important here. One flanking your door, one flanking your neighbor's door. And yes, yes to cover the exposed electrical boxes on street level. Red door mats would bring on the color counterpoint.

How about a solid stucco wall between the two apartments on such a tiny portico? Give both dwellers some privacy. The lions need to go too. The porch is ridiculously tiny as it is, especially sitting on the front of such a large, expansive building.

I think the facade of the building is stunning, and a subtle personalization of the entry is all it needs. Every few years I change the color of my front door and container garden annuals to compliment the new color. Perhaps something in an understated container in front of the meter could soften that area of the hardscape.

if I paint the front door black, what should I do with the other doors? There's a basement entry door below it, the juilet balcony on the main floor and the top floor?

Could you move your wonderful lions upward, maybe on top of the railings so its not so crowded right at the door & maybe let them stand out a little more? And paint YOUR front door whatever color you want!

@tooky58 unfortunately if I move the lions further near the railing, it will block some of the space from the stairs leading up to the front entrance

I found some more inspirational images on Houzz, I'm wondering if I'll be able to pull it off.

what aspect are you hoping to include in your entry?

@nnigrt I would like to keep the theme of black railing/door + light colored building + the subtle green.

I like the idea of a planter over from railing. I think it would add ur own touch and therefore changing the door color would also make it urs. Yes it would not match ur neighbor but that is what would make it urs.

@Jill Lemire Im sure I'll add a planter on the railings to put maybe 3 small shrub like plants in there like the inspirational image above but might have to wait for next year since winter is coming! :)

The exposed gas meter will be covered soon. The builders will finish up with the same beige coloured cover. I might consider painting that black as well or changing it out to something more elegant.

I'm really tempted to change the railings too but it'll throw off the entire symmetry of the block. On the other hand my house will be unique :)

What a beautiful home. Are you in Ontario, Canada? If so, who is the builder? Even if you don't live in Canada, who is the builder? Thank you!! Susan

@phippslane the lions are very heavy, it took about 3 people just to place them where they are now :) Hopefully no one will go and take them....

but I agree with most posts and should keep the front facade as uniform as possible... although I've already seen a few doors being painted different shades of beige and also black further in the development.

I totally agree with phippslane that your townhouse complex is going to get very cheap and junky looking if everyone starts to paint their own individual colours. Everyone in the complex should just keep it simple. When in a townhouse situation I think you have to leave the exterior primarily alone and concentrate your creativity inside. Nothing would be worse than living next door to an orange, lime green or hot pink front door! (Maybe you should start a committee to keep things looking as good as they do and limit people in their choices of colours. Im just saying...things can go bad very fast if there are no controls in place.). A beautiful black wrought iron planter by the bottom of the stairs would be a lovely accent. Filled or empty they add a touch of elegance as your lions do. And please don't put a planter on the railings and hide the front door. They're beautiful as is and will only close everything in. I think all the other exterior ideas and suggestions are best left to a single house dwelling...not a beautiful townhouse complex. Good luck and be patient. By next year things should be finished outside and it will look so much better.

The only i would recommend is to hang something different than a wreath. perhaps a basket of flowers?

well done

Last but not least, you were drawn to a brand new construction with a regal facade. Why not just enjoy it with the lions?

yes, i often recommend you live with it a while first, once they have the plantings in, etc, you will wonder why you ever worried. if you do too much it might then look too busy.

Thank you all for the suggestions as autumn is upon us. It doesn't look like they'll have the landscaping in anyways this year. So I've decided to not do anything until the following spring.

As others have suggested, I'll let it grow on me. Hopefully the builder will at least clear all the trash sitting in the mud heh.

It all looks very nice. Maybe speak to your neighbour they may like to paint their door as well, possibly a mutual colour can be worked out. Love the lions, have you thought about painting them to match the tan colour of the walls. Good luck

Definitely, paint the door black.

The door painted black will look great! Since all the homes look the same, I think it's fun to switch it up and add your own personality, so don't be afraid to match with your neighbor. Since there's not much room on the front porch area, you could buy a window box and hang that over the front railing to add some color. Would love to see photos of the finished product once you decide what you're going to do. Good luck!

Thanks for the comments! The builder actually did the landscape a few weeks before the snow came. It was really strange that they planted a tree and many plants just for them to die a few weeks later.

I'll take another pic during the spring, hopefully the newly planted tree can withstand the winter. I'm not too concerned of the plants, they most likely will replant again this year.

As for the door, I'm in talks with a designer and will see what they recommend. Maybe upgrade the hardware as well.

Wow!!! Nice doorstep, I think I like the lions you just need
to put a welcome mat.

After a few years, I haven't painted the door black yet but will try to do it this year! Took out the builder supplied landscaping and planted some 1.5-2' boxwoods on the outter corner to create a formal hedge once they're settled.

Now I don't know what else to plant in the interior of the hedge. Any suggestions? Looking for perennials or shrubs that are easy maintenance.

The last image is the before pics.

Looks nice! Excited to see more pics!

Looks gorgeous! Can we get pictures of the interior?

The house isnt completely finished, its a work in progress whenever we have time and resources to tackle the projects. But you can check out my other posts for a glimpse of the rooms/projects inside.

https://www.houzz.com/activities/user/jj_house/posts

I would plant tulips, liatris, and alyssum..... When the tulips are in bloom (April-May) the liatris will appear as bright green grassy clumps. Liatris bloom in June-July and will give color through late fall.

Liatris Spicata is a brightly-colored tall feathery spike that will peak above your hedge. So, you'll see the color even when you view your house from the road. It is a perennial bulb that you can ignore in regards to maintenance. They are used as flower spikes in arrangements, as they bloom from the top down. I love them because they have a unique"feathery" texture and their color is bright & striking at a distance. You'll notice that butterflies love them too. Liatris aka Gay Feather aka Blazing star. They will bloom in the summer. At the moment, mine look like bright green clumps of grass amongst my tulips. Liatris is available in white, as well. Pics below.

Below, you can see purple "alyssum" in the lower right corner. It makes a great low growing 4" carpet, which is great for filler between plants. https://www.burpee.com/flowers/alyssum/

If you live in warm climate (zone 9-11) Agapanthus will do well. The flower stalks will lean toward the sun. So, your location looks perfect for these as well.

Very nice!

Since you asked about flowers... Plant bulbs! I'll share with you what happens in my garden. Once the snow melts, the first flowers that pop-up are crocus

Followed by Hyacinths. The hyacinths are still in bloom as the crocus die back.

When my hyacinths are going out.... Daffodils, followed by tulips bloom. Tulips last longer than daffodils. My daffodils can get destroyed by heavy rain

When these go away, (some are on their way out now) the iris will bloom, which is followed by the Peony. Both of these are short-lived and are bushy and don't look as nice when they die back.

At the moment, my tulips are still blooming and my liatris and lilies are growing. Both are summer bloomers, but slugs eat lilies. So, liatris is a maintenance-free option for long summer to fall color.

this post is 3 years old

467181. If you read through this post, you'll notice the person updated it Wednesday & asked about perennial plants and posted their AFTER picture of what it looks like today.

I thought it would be easier to update an old thread for a nice progress instead of multiple threads all over the place :)

Thank you for the suggestions! Since I don't have much of a lawn, not sure if I could pull off bright colored bulbs.

I was thinking something along the lines of:
https://www.brecksbulbs.ca/product/20-plant-mini-moonlight-garden-collection/collections-shade-perennials

or maybe a group of different Hostas?
https://www.brecksbulbs.ca/product/super-sak-hosta-mixture/Shade_Perennials

or a modern garden type of shrub/ferns topped with river rocks?

What a coincidence! I saved that "moonlight garden" too.

Note: Both of what you chose above says "SHADE garden". Your area is full sun. Ferns, and hostas need SHADE. Hydrangeas need morning sun and afternoon shade. Also, what you are referring to when you say "can't plant bulbs because you don't have much of a lawn"? A lawn is not necessary for bulbs. Just plant the bulbs side by side in the dirt & cover with bark/mulch. The plants do all the work themselves. https://www.brecksbulbs.ca/category/Other_Sun_Perennials_

It gets shade in the morning and full sun afternoon after 12pm when the sun peaks over the house (4 stories). I guess you're right it wouldnt be considered shaded.

When I mean that the bright color bulbs dont have a backdrop of a nice lush, green lawn to offset the colors. It's basically all concrete surrounding and maybe could look odd with bright colored bulbs.

I'll take alook at the Sun Perennials, thanks!

Day lilies could be your answer. The flowers peak above the grassy clumps. They do well with afternoon sun . https://www.southernliving.com/garden/flowers/remblooming-daylilies