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Design Dilemma
gogoellen

Bought a "new" house...need help with improving outside elevation!

13 years ago
Bought a fixer upper! Any ideas on how to make this more attractive? It has had many years of neglect! Paint colors? Landscaping? The brick in front of the door was added and is loose! We will be removing it! Paint is peeling on brick columns too. This is a labor of love as we plan on being here until we are carted off to the old folks home! Thanks in advance to all you creative people out there!
Featured Answer
  • 13 years ago
    You own the home and make the rules when it comes to the design of your home. Mixing the out side & in should be up to you. The doors to me are a bit repetitious with the arches. I would like to see something solid or a rectangle glass window. on top. A mission type door with 3 rectangles on top in glass windows would be nice. Then you have a chance to get new beautiful hardware. Or just fill the glassed area in with a wood insert to play down the arches. The one over the top of the doors would be more of a focal point. But I think you can work with them as they are with painting them a accent color. I'm not a fan of storm doors in general. With the porch there's no need really for them. By old world I mean historical and European bring in a Mediterranean or French feel.

    Comments (27)

    • PRO
      13 years ago
      I would definitely paint a contrasting color around all the window trim. Then add taller bushes/trees to flank that blank exterior wall that has the octagon window. Maybe even paint the brick column walls around the front porch to add contrast....bring in lots of plants with more color...good luck and have fun....
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      looks great from a distance....up close those brick columns could be plastered/stuccoed over and wondering if you bring a charcoal (like roof color) panel or soffit down over the top of the columns to give a more substantial look to that entryway. Maybe it could fill in some of the peak shape but come straight across, rather than following the lines of the peak..Front door needs something more worthy of the house....it looks quite nice.

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    • 13 years ago
      What great potential! I love all the peaks in the roof. Once you use a contrasting color trim and replace the brick, it will look great! Are you simply going to paint the columns or replace the brick with something else? I agree that you need taller bushes to break up the large, empty wall. And with colorful flowers and/or plants it will be beautiful!
    • 13 years ago
      I would stucco all the brick areas for a up dated look and might add some more in the areas under each gable. I would paint the home in a deep taupe with white trim. The I would remove the iron storm doors and paint the doors a Verdi green as a welcoming accent or a color of your choice. The light fixtures need replacing and brought up to a larger scale. If possible I would do a large pendant light above the front doors. I would use a slate to replace the brick walk. Take out all the bubble bushes that are dated and replace them with some height near the small octagon window. That blank solid wall seems to need more and landscaping will do the trick. The home has great bones and I think it could have a old world European feel. Think rod iron... and french color accents.
    • 13 years ago
      LOVE IT!

      Timeless simplicity and elegance is the definition of class!
    • 13 years ago
      Thanks! Yes, a small tree to the left! I hadn't thought of that! Maybe a crepe myrtle or tulip tree! The palm tree on the right is going to be removed at a future date! To me this house is sort of "New England" feeling and the palm tree doesn't go with the feel! @ Distinctive - I like using gray to tie in with the roof color!
    • 13 years ago
      Thank you Aja! It's scary to take on a project at 58 but we feel "in love" with this house!
      @Kevin- yes! I love your ideas! We had thought of using slate... Love the look of it! Hadn't thought of hanging light outside! Love it!! Verdi front door would look great! Yes, the metal doors need to go!
      Thanks all!
    • 13 years ago
      Ha! Fell in love... But I guess "feel" works too!
    • 13 years ago
      a great house! I agree w/Kevin's ideas.........definitely change the front door, might even consider glass if privacy is not an issue......the curtain's inside the arched window over the door needs to go.....remove the black commercial looking rug , and take off the window screens as they give a dark appearance, surprising how many people leave screens on and never open windows (do at least across front of the house) and if seating is needed I would replace the two chairs w/a bench...good luck and have fun
    • 13 years ago
      love the look of it! I'd either paint the trim or if the house needs painted, paint the house a different color and paint the trim white. I'm not a big lover of the "round" bushes - I'm more of a natural look typa guy. Add some florwer beds around the base of them and add lots of color once the weather is warm. I also always love a red door if it lends itself.
    • 13 years ago
      @Brody - A glass front door would be really nice!!! That is a possibility! The glass over the front door is actually leaded - with no curtain. It's hard to see in a picture! I'll move that black rug first thing in the morning! Chairs will be moved to the back! As far as the screens....living in CA, the windows are opened A LOT! So, the screens will stay! (love CA weather!)

      @Allen, I never noticed how ROUND those bushes are...they look strange! Flowers coming soon! I think a red door (OR green) would make a nice statement!
    • 13 years ago
      Are the bushes yews, or boxwood? If they are boxwood, just reshape them over time! I agree it can have an old world European feel. Beautiful rooflines. If you paint window trim, it might make sense to think about painting the fascia...nothing with extreme contrast - but the window trim tops seem to be almost hidden under fascia or gutters. (Can't tell which for sure on my screen)
    • 13 years ago
      Show us a close up of leaded glass doors? That might be worth saving / highlighting. Or, I was actually thinking heavy, beautiful wooden doors if you like the European idea.
    • 13 years ago
      I love the palm tree, I would keep it. It gives a resort sort of feel to the home. maybe add some low palms on that blank wall area.
    • 13 years ago
      The whole house needs to be painted! So now is the time to make the color changes! I don't think the bushes are boxwood but I'm not sure what a yew looks like!! There are rain gutters hiding most of the window tops (but not the window to the left of the door). However, the rain gutters can be painted the same as the facia. I'm not sure what "Old world European" feels like! Sorry to be design "dumb"! Do you think I could search in Houzz and come up with examples??? In the inside of our house are antiques....mission/ craftsman style influences...don't know if I should consider that as I do the outside! Thanks!
    • 13 years ago
      Here is the leaded glass above the door. The two double doors repeat the same design in them! The security doors hide them! (they will be coming off!)
    • 13 years ago
      missdenny50,

      Fantastic doors!!!
    • 13 years ago
      Having lived in southern California for years, most of them in a beach city north of LAX I can say with certainty that there is no reason to have storm doors in California. Best wishes on finding your new dream fixer-upper and have fun with your projects of love.
    • 13 years ago
      I wish you were in Minnesota. I could recommend some plants that would complement the house. Maybe you could use more of the front yard and put in several varying heights and colors.
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      What is the "problem" with manicured shrubs?

      This house sold in less than 21 days in 2012.
      Our First Home · More Info


      And in Florida, most palms are considered "trash" trees.

      [yes, I know palms are more closely aligned with grass.]
    • 13 years ago
      Gorgeous home! I agree that some landscape work is in order. I really like what Living Space Landscape posted above even though it's for a different zone. I do think that something that breaks up the expanse of lawn would give you more curb appeal. Depending on where you're located, check with your local water utility. There was a rebate program here in my area for xeriscaping.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Beautiful Home....I would paint a contrasting color around the window trims as a must, and that may help a lot in all the other areas.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Paint the trim a different color. If you didn't want to paint the brick another color, I think that Pennsylvania bluestone would be a great option for the front walkway and entrance.

      This is full color blue stone in a running bond pattern. The pattern may be too busy but I think that the color scheme would look really nice
      Blue Stone - Highland Park, TX · More Info


      http://www.houzz.com/projects/92521/Blue-Stone---Contemporary-Landscaping---Highland-Park--TX
    • 12 years ago
      first of all a new front door
    • 12 years ago
      more glass around and in the new door
    • 12 years ago
      I would suggest moving those two trees away from in front of the windows. This is a lovely house.
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