Need Ideas for Exterior Color (Less Church-like) and Some Added Curb Appeal?

13 years ago

Hi Houzz Experts!

I am hoping to pick everyone's design-brain here.

Exterior Color
I wanted to get some of your ideas on exterior paint colors as I feel it looks a little like a small church. I feel that the house definitely has a lot of character especially with the stained glass window in the front. The shutters and the front door are all painted a light blue. As a short-term and cheap fix I was thinking perhaps a darker blue?

Curb Appeal
What would you add to the front for added curb appeal? I'm initially thinking belgian block apron for the front of the driveway and perhaps a small Japanese type tree towards the front of the lawn.

Any ideas and suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

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Comments (10)

PRO
HERE Design and Architecture
13 years ago
I see what you mean. It does look a little like a church. I think if you try a medium-value color for the stucco (blue, brown, grey?) and a brighter color for the windows and doors (red, rust, saturated green?) that might bring it down to earth some. ;)
Dot
13 years ago
Maybe paint the walls a darker cream and change the door to red. It may make it cute in a white picket fence sort of way.
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hparks74
13 years ago
Paint the stucco a Tuscan tan and the door a burnt sienna. Trim a raw umber as well as corner stones. Add a weather vane to the top.
kathleen MK
13 years ago
you have coins(cornerstones) that could be a shade darker or lighter than the body of the house. Maybe a grey/blue with the current shutters and chalk white stucco. i like the current colors
Kristin Maynes
13 years ago
You have such a charming house! What if you added arched shutters to the stained glass? That might take away the 'churchy' feel. I love white for the house....maybe black shutters and door? I also love the grey/blue. Good luck! I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
PRO
Kathryn Peltier Design
12 years ago
I like the blue - it looks like the color was pulled from the stained glass? I think a very yellow-based wheat color would be pretty, or you could go the other way and use a light gray. Consider your roof color - I can't tell what it is.Consider 2-3 shades of the body color for the dentil molding and quoins, which are lovely. The window trim is another area to detail out. I love the house - very charming!
Diane Land
11 years ago
I think you DO have curb appeal. Because of the smaller size of your home, I wouldn't block it with even a Japanese Maple. Perhaps a garden area in the front near the end of the driveway (perhaps around a mailbox ?). I also like the idea of shutter on the stained glass window. I was thinking black shutters too...
Arrwin
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Thanks for all the constructive comments! I know it's been over a year (time flies!) since I posted so here is what we have done so far. It isn't a dramatic change. We painted the shutters a more muted blue/gray and the arched shutters for the stain glass have been waiting to be put on.

Would you remove or leave the railing for the stain glass when installing the shutters?
Diane Land
11 years ago
Sorry- I didn't check the DATE of your posting! If you put your finger over the railing in your above pictures it gives your window a different feeling altogether. I think I would be inclined to removed the railing, especially since it is black and you opted for a blue grey. Post when you are done- it's such a sweet and different home.
PRO
Estudio Peralez - Residential Design
10 years ago
Interesting and unique looking home you have here. I'm curious, when was this home built? If over 50 years ago, is it part of a local or national historic district?