Any hope in making my exterior look like this one?

9 years ago

I just bought and moved into a 1921 colonial in the Indian Village neighborhood of Detroit and am struggling to plan the exterior reno. I realize it is not the same style as my dream pic below, but can I achieve a similar appearance by painting the woodwork around the door a cream color, which I think might also make the marker bricks above the 2 windows pop, remove the shutters and paint the windows and muttons black?

I could also paint the minimal trim around the window frames cream or perhaps add more trim. One of the shutters is already missing and the brick underneath is lighter in color. Not sure how I'd blend the brick color if I remove all the other shutters. If this look is too much of a stretch, I may just give up and lime wash the brick for a look closer to the 3rd pic below.

I'd like to add a portico around the door as well but given the mandatory interior renos, my budget probably won't allow it.

Thanks for any thoughts!

Featured Answer

PRO

User

9 years ago

I love Indian Village! The neighborhood is really changing for the better. Because I know the style of most of the homes there, I'd go with the general idea of the second look. Here are some other ideas.

1. Take down the shutters on the first floor.

2. Replace the upstairs shutters with a higher quality brand like Timberlane. Make sure they could actually fit the window.

3. Paint all the windows and mullions ivory to match the detail over the lower window.

4. Eventually, replace the portico with one more in keeping with the style of the house. I prefer the pointed entrance detail on the second example than the curved one you have.

5. Don't mess with the brick. Maybe have it cleaned up.

6. Rethink the landscaping. Those trees are going to grow wide and tall and block out the light into the house, and block the lovely view of the home from the street. Move them elsewhere.

7. When the dreaded day arrives when you need to replace the roof, choose a style that resembles the slate that would have originally been there.

I hope this helps!

By the way, I found this great article about using shutters only on the second floor, so you can see what they'd look like and how to do it.

http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/residential-architecture-101-shutters/

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

happyleg
9 years ago
Yes, your off to a good start & keep us posted.
darceyrose thanked happyleg
darceyrose
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks, happyleg. I'm not a big fan of shutters and would like to remove them but I'm afraid my house will look funny without them. I haven't seen many colonials without shutters.
Related Professionals
Springfield Interior Designers & Decorators · Flint Interior Designers & Decorators · Rochester Interior Designers & Decorators · Sacramento Interior Designers & Decorators · Hopkinsville Architects & Building Designers · California Architects & Building Designers · Kansas City Architects & Building Designers · Chicago Architects & Building Designers · Portsmouth Architects & Building Designers · Plattsburgh Architects & Building Designers · Hudson Architects & Building Designers · Norfolk Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Hackettstown Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Bismarck Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Ogden Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
9 years ago
The first pic has no shutters and to be honest they look silly on your lower level large window anyway and the last pic you posted the shutters are all the wrong size. To answer your question I think the first inspiration pic is agreat idea to use for your house with some modifications of course
darceyrose thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
Sammy
9 years ago
Congratulations on your new home, Darcy. It's beautiful! Just to put your mind at ease, many Colonial homes did not have shutters. Regarding the difference in brick color beneath the missing shutter: is it truly different brick or is the rest of the brick darker from years of dirt? BTW: the last inspiration picture is one I've seen many times and I've always loved it!
darceyrose thanked Sammy
darceyrose
Original Author
9 years ago
You are all so helpful!! I now feel confident in immediately removing the 1st fl shutters. Sammy- I assumed the brick color was different under the missing shutter because of sunlight but now that you mention it, it could be that the rest of the brick is just dirty. Maybe a good power washing will eliminate the color difference.

Jennifer-- great tips! And you're right that original roof was slate. I could tell from the inside of the attic. So sad that asphalt was installed in '05. One reason I considered a lime wash is that some of the mortar is mismatched. Bricks were removed around the entire perimeter to pour in insulation and they used the wrong mortar to replace the bricks. I definitely don't want to paint due to the added maintenance but thought a wash or stain would hide the mismatched mortar and am not excited by the original red brick. However, the less work, the better so perhaps sprucing up the paint and landscaping will sufficiently distract from the mortar. My only hesitation now is that I love the look of black windows & mullions which probably wouldn't work with the 2nd image...
mandy_moo_pants
9 years ago
I actually like your house best of the 3.
happyleg
9 years ago
Do second choice, all nice.