Update '80's Ranch Exterior

13 years ago

We purchased our '80's ranch on 20 acres about a year ago and WE LOVE IT! We have updated many features on the interior of the home; however, we now need to tackle the exterior. There are several aspects I would love changed. Here's my wish list! 1. The white on the exterior of the home. I don't like how it contasts so much with the red brick (which we love) and it needs maintenance because it is wood, so it either needs to be scraped and re-painted or replaced. I've recently been thinking that a stucco finish to replace the wood features would look nice, but not sure what color to go with to compliment our red brick and not sure if that's really what would look best anyways. 2. Roof. I feel like it's just there for function...I need it to be more than that! 3. Shutters. Right now they are a faded burgundy. Blah. I'd love to go with a deep, natural wood look/feel. 4. Garage doors are plain white. Again, I'd love to go with a wooden garage doors to compliment and work with the shutters. We want everything to work together as opposed to the way it "just exists" right now. We want a fresh, updated look with a natural, outdoor feel to compliment our accompanying acres! Is it possible?!?!?!

Featured Answer

curryj

13 years ago

Wonderful house. Install real shutters. They make all the difference. (black) I would research using tudor homes as examples and I would find a light stone paver to cover over the siding around the front door. Lots of classy tudor homes have stone and red brick. But be careful.... Remove the storm door and paint the front door black. New landscaping would be great. Deep green shrubs look so wonderful against the red brick. The area around the flag is critical because that is the first thing you see when you approach the house. Landscape that with evergreen shrubs. Never Ever cut down those beautiful large trees.

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Comments (16)

PRO
Rockin' Fine Finish
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Could you post pics of the areas of the siding and your front door
PRO
Dytecture
13 years ago
Close ups of the house.
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Diane Cooper
Original Author
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Here are some close-ups of white siding around front door and under front windows and of the front door (which is hard to see because it's covered by a burgundy storm door)! Thanks!
Margaret Phillips
13 years ago
I've seen the white wood around the windows. What many people have done in the last few years, is knocked that portion, and the existing window out. They put in full windows in the now opened space. Definitely opened the eyes up of the home .the added light and bigger windows is much appreciated on the inside. That may be something to consider down the line.
PRO
User
13 years ago
The house is great. I would agree with doing wide white trim around the windows and doors. It will make it look a bit more updated.
PRO
CMR Interiors & Design Consultations Inc.
13 years ago
I like it but the maroon shutters are not working with the brick . A dark charcoal are a black would be great.
PRO
Carolyn Choi
13 years ago
I favor blue gray with red brick as in this example :
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and a landscape like this below.
Diane Cooper
Original Author
13 years ago
THANK YOU for the great ideas! I love the blue gray look with red brick. I've actually been eyeing that combination for a while so it's good to hear others' are in favor of it as well. @Margaret - Great idea about making the window bigger to eliminate the wood underneath. I'm all for that idea! @curryj - What do you mean by "real shutters"? I thought we did have "real shutters"...they are just ugly! And the trees are all staying, no fear!

New Question - I do really love the blue grey look. However, it seems like if we do blue grey, we should do everything including windows, front door area, garage doors? Or should we mix in some black accents with shutters and front door? I also love the idea of going with a light paver stone around front door, black front door, black shutters...so then what should we do with the garage doors? White? I love these options! Thanks for your input!
PRO
Masterpiece Doors
13 years ago
Hi Diane, Beautiful home! We might be a great fit for your needs. New shutters and garage doors would give your home a wonderful makeover! And you are right about the maintenance aspect of real wood products (big pain). I would not recommend going that route for your garage doors. We offer 100% composite entry doors, garage doors, and shutters. We finish them to have the appearance of either authentic wood or wrought iron. The best part is that they do not require nearly as much maintenance as either of those traditional products! They hold up so much better! We also custom make everything to your exact specifications so you won't have to fret about sizing issues. I have attached some photos for you to take a look at. The last one is an example of large shutter job we just finished. If you have any questions feel free to call us at 678-894-1450. Good luck with your project!
PRO
garden design online
12 years ago
Email me if you went more designs
PRO
Cascio Associates - Site Planning - Landscape Arch
11 years ago
It's almost April, hooray for Spring.

A few unloading of my thoughts on your behalf.

a. no need to fill the front yard with plants, you have lots of land to enjoy. Take a simple approach.

b. widen the front walk where it meets the entry loop, maybe 15'-20' long along the asphalt, so the guests step out onto the walk not the lawn, and the driver can also step on pavement, as he walks around the front of the car.

c. place a welcoming terrace, an outdoor room, between the front walkway and the smaller tree on the right, with concentrated planting to say hello, relax, you are coming to see a friend, rather than spreading the planting all across the lawn. (maybe move the flagpole over here, as well, it looks like the flag at the town hall or the school and needs to be warmed up a bit, a more residential praise to our country.)

d. you asked for a comment about the roof. It is nice, simple does not attract attention to it. If you want to attract attention, or compliment the white entry, build a little cupola up there on the right where that white chimney or whatever is saying look at me - enhance it, make it proud.

You are doing good. Enjoy it.

cascio.offsite@gmail.com
PRO
Cascio Associates - Site Planning - Landscape Arch
11 years ago
I forget to mention, that the dog will love some warm flagstones or a bench to lie upon and welcome the neighbors.

cascio.offsite@gmail.com
decoenthusiaste
11 years ago
No, you don't have real shutters; just the stick-on faux kind that don't actually function. Here's an article about that. Removal of all the high maintenance boxy hedges in favor of a softer more inviting and less "barrier' like landscape close to the house would be my priority. Softer, carefree, more colorful beds for foundation planting would be nice. These two are for shadier surroundings and I don't know your climate, but you can get the concept of something more loosely planted, perennials you don't have to do much with, and a few annuals interspersed for seasonal color.

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

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sj73116
11 years ago
I love all the trees. I love the natural setting, as far as land scape goes, I would add more...

I like the thought of black shutters. Someone mentioned longer windows and I agree.

Have you thought about maybe taking out the windows on each side of the front door and put in a set of double doors?
sj73116
8 years ago
Can we see the finished product?