Easy updates for this 70's home exterior?

9 years ago

How can we update this house on a budget? We've removed the arbor vitaes and paved the driveway :) Will need a new roof in a few years... are roofline changes expensive if done at the same time? Not sure what we could do with this though, windows are in awkward places? and yes, the windows go all the way up to the eves on the upper level--thinking shutters, but what kind?

Brick colors (lower level) for color recommendations

Featured Answer

felizlady

9 years ago

Bette P posted one of my favorite exterior remakes.
The problem with your house is that it is/was hidden by overgrown shrubbery. With the arbor vitae gone, the shrubs closer to the house still block the lower level. Either severely trim the foundation shrubbery, or have it removed so you can start fresh. The garage has been the thing most obvious to people passing by. You could tell guests that "I live next to the triple garage".
I agree that now is the time for planning, not doing. If you will need to replace your roof in a couple of years, you can start looking at replacement colors and planning the remake of the front exterior. You may remove or heavily trim the front shrubs, but I wonder if their root systems have gotten so big that they may be bothering your foundation or plumbing lines. You may need to use some root killer, and it will take some time to work so that invasive roots can be removed.
Look through exterior photos on Houzz for additional ideas, but really, Bette P posted the one I would have suggested.
You can begin planning some new landscaping, including adding a tree or three where they will not be too close to the house but may offer shade and height within the landscape. Houzz is an excellent source for that, too. Before planting anything which will get large, determine where any waste lines or water lines are so you can avoid them when digging.

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Comments (23)

jck910
9 years ago
No shutters
Bette P
9 years ago
This is one of my favourite before and after architect driven renovations of a gable roofed two storey. No shutters in sight, no craftsman or colonial details. Love it. Does this appeal to you at all?
Somerset Renovation · More Info

Somerset Renovation · More Info
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chiflipper
9 years ago
NOW is the time for planning, not "doing". Spend the years before re-roofing looking at color combos, window trim sizes, brick staining, etc. Good planning now will result in a great new look...and you will only have to "do it" once.
Suzanne Browning
Original Author
9 years ago
Bette, I like the window contrast. Definitely need to beef up the window casings. The 2 small upstairs windows on the left are a bathroom and laundry room. Probably couldn't combine them? The big window looks nice!
My style is more cozy traditional than modern. And what to do to tie in the 3 car garage?
grapefruit1_ar
9 years ago
I would look into replacing all of the Windows with double hungs. Even the first floor " picture window" could become three double hung Windows. That will give you a more traditional look to work with. I think that your current roofline/porch suit the style of your house. I would change the white siding to khaki. You could then do your door in dark red or olive green.
Suzanne Browning thanked grapefruit1_ar
Bette P
9 years ago
Shingle Style - John Jay Place · More Info

This one is definitely not as wide as yours. I would consider painting all the siding a neutral taupe/brown and garage doors two shades darker. The garage looks awful big in light colors.
You might want to add closer photos of your entry area.
Suzanne Browning thanked Bette P
Suzanne Browning
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you so much for your suggestions Bette P and Chiflipper. Windows are a ways down the road, but do you have any favorite khaki, taupe, brown paint colors you would recommend? This is the front entryway.
Driveway toward front door. There is a small bay window between the garage and front doors.
Doorstep toward driveway.
Bette P
9 years ago
I believe Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore have the formulas for James Hardie board colors, this is Monterey Taupe.
HAMILTON · More Info
Bette P
9 years ago
Paint the garage doors and their surrounding trim at least two shades darker.
Bette P
9 years ago
I would also get samples of Woodstock Brown, Khaki Brown and Timberbark, all James Hardie colors. See what looks good up against your brick.
Suzanne Browning
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you, I'll check them out. I also appreciate the 2 shades darker rule. that helps!
Suzanne Browning
Original Author
9 years ago
You wouldn't border the garage doors in white like the window casings?
Bette P
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Suzanne, I would personally not add white trim around the garage doors. To me it just says, Look at me! I have bright shiny white trim around myself! Don't look at the front door, look at me!

And if you paint your siding darker, the white gutters and downspouts will chime in. Look at me, look at me! Gutters and downspouts against a darker color should also be as dark.
Suzanne Browning thanked Bette P
PRO
Design Everest
9 years ago
We love Bette P's recommendation.
Small Ranch · More Info
acm
9 years ago
I really want to see your front door, which I can't even make out under the overhang -- go for a bright color like a sky blue or a cranberry red.

Also... you have my permission to paint or stain the brick when you paint your siding. Somehow, that brick with the random black bricks mixed in has always looked artificial and thus 1968 to me. If you went the same color as the house or a shade darker, I think you'd be happy with the result.

(Still no shutters though!)
Suzanne Browning thanked acm
Suzanne Browning
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you so much for all the recommendations! im getting a picture of where I want to go with this. The rhodies are going, and looks like we'll be getting new siding and windows... 47 years old, it's time. My front door is a dark stained knotty alder which I love and would never want to paint. Other thoughts on how to dress it up?

I don't know much about staining brick. can you stain dark brick lighter?
Would it be all one color?
Suzanne Browning
Original Author
9 years ago
My front door
Suzanne Browning
Original Author
9 years ago
I've been playing with "Paint"... am I getting closer? :) Dark around the windows or no?
PRO
Barbara Griffith Designs
9 years ago
"Beef" up your front pillars, they are too skimpy for the size of the house. Maybe round, but certainly wider.
groveraxle
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I like the white and I think your posts are fine. I think you just need to be ruthless with the trimmers on your foundation plants or replace them with something that doesn't get as tall.
I'd replace all the windows with double hung, and eliminate the bay, replacing it with a double hung window, as well.
Suzanne Browning
Original Author
9 years ago
Actually I did just beef up the posts since the whole house pics to what they are in the front entry pictures.
Suzanne Browning
Original Author
9 years ago
And thats exactly what i was thinking about that bay... its a pait to keep clean from the inside too!! Were in the process of deciding whether or not to replace the siding. I like your window example if i were to keep it white!