Need Serious Help With Curb Appeal!

13 years ago

We purchased this home last March and have been working on the interior. The exterior baffles me. With budget in mind, I need some help with curb appeal. We have added carriage house details to the garage, taken down the shutters and added 4" trim around the windows (not painted yet). The siding is vinyl and it seems like any changes are huge tasks. We have put new rock in the front flower bed and added some plantings. We were thinking about putting rock on the front middle (two story area) and painting the trim a dark green/brown color called "potting soil." I am thinking of maybe a french farmhouse look since that is the feel of the inside. We also have a large shop next to the house that I want to make match whatever we do here. I hate the space between the front middle area. It just looks so out of place. Help!

Featured Answer

mmilos

13 years ago

I think what's bugging me is the tall portion of your home. It looks like an add-on and doesn't really blend. I would address this issue with landscaping. Enlarge the raised planter area like leonardofrederick suggested. But, I would plant a relatively tall, good looking tree to help obscure the high, narrow add-on. Perhaps remove the other large tree and fountain and add new shrubs. Hire a landscape architect/designer...it'll be money well spent. Your house looks clean...I wouldn't mess with it too much unless you had a huge budget to change the add-on proportions.

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Comments (9)

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Greg's Landscaping
13 years ago
The house has a minimal feel now so I may do the same with the landscape. Square off the raised area in front and bring it closer to where the picture was taken from. Remove all of the plants. If I were to replant I might do straight rows perpendicular to the house, grasses or something with vertical presence.
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User
13 years ago
The stone would look good on the 2 story area. Wide wood trim and a wood garage door. Here are some idea pictures.
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decoenthusiaste
13 years ago
When I looked at your house I immediately thought "color blocked and contemporary" but you like French farmhouse. I'm at a loss unless you have a monster budget for an overhall.
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njmomma
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Yes! as the above poster said you should plant a large tree to help obscure the high, narrow add-on.
Landscaping would definitely bring the eye down. I also think you need to add something to the wall near your entrance. Something large, to distinguish the entrance. Outdoor Metal Art.
Arlen Dau
13 years ago
Some day, when you have the money, I would relocate the front door to the front of the house in the two story area. Add a front entry cover and a generous landing. Maybe even room for a sitting bench. It's a big project, however, maybe you could take smaller steps - deck first, cover second, etc. The point is, if you think a front door in this area would be right, then don't plant a tree in front of it.
Candy McAndrews
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you for all of your comments! I wanted to add another picture to explain the entry. We had to move the entry from the front of the house because of interior issues so we placed it on the side of the house with bigger windows. We are in the getting a bid on the new front porch and entry. As you can see, we are using our hot tub steps to get in and out until the porch gets done. Does this help with the ideas?
mmilos
13 years ago
Yes, add a porch. Hire a landscape designer to draw a plan for your house... With appropriate landscaping, you can direct the attention to your new front entrance and minimize the flaws on the side.
PRO
Wiggers construction inc
13 years ago
One idea would be to continue gutter across the front with roof line to break up tall wall. Then I would suggest painting the upper section a different color, maybe a dark co trasting color.