Software
Houzz Logo Print
willow626

Mid Century Modern House

8 years ago
Hi there! Recently bought this house and need some help with the exterior. You can’t see from this pic but the sides have a cool mid century peak in the roofline. I would like to build on the mid century theme a bit more if possible, I love some of the wood accents on some houses. However, I worry that there’s already too many different finishes happening here with the stone, the brick, the green siding and the white soffit and fascia. I will be painting the green a blue color, should I paint the brick as well? Also I putting in new windows and prefer the black trim but should I do white instead because of the soffit/fascia?
Any advice is appreciated!

Comments (17)

  • 8 years ago
    I think the gray is spot on... but I think the red brick makes it look unfinished. I think a white on the brick.
  • 8 years ago

    Caution on paint / white washing because Red + White = Pink! A lime wash won't harm the brick, you can control the amount of coverage, and it can be "tinted" gray. Lower the front bushes by half.

    willow626 thanked chiflipper
  • 8 years ago
    you also should put some more colorful plants in the front of the bushes so it separates them from the grass.
    willow626 thanked Michael Joseph
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I think that is done as more of a Garrison Colonial split level than anything modern as in MCM. Many Mid Century homes are not Modern ones. They may have had some touches, but the basic forms and volumes were Traditional not Modern.

    willow626 thanked User
  • 8 years ago

    First, reveal your home by removing the aging and overgrown hedge. I think your home is a modern variation on Garrison Colonial too. I would stain the brick in a dark color from the stone (once you've pressure washed it and know the true colors.) The siding might do well if painted to match the mortar used with the stone. We'll have to determine the garage door and front door color after you've finished with the body of the house. New landscaping will make a huge difference!

    willow626 thanked decoenthusiaste
  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Don't paint the brick, go with phuninthesun's advice.

    willow626 thanked Carolina Kitchen & Bath
  • 8 years ago

    I assumed it was mid century modern because of these roof lines but now that I googled the Garrison Colonial I see that too. (Im a beginner obviously lol) I do like the MCM style though so I was hoping to play that up more.

  • 8 years ago


    Front Elevation Planter · More Info
    Here's some stone with MCM detailing.
    Modern and Contemporary Home Renovation | Lexington, Ma · More Info

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    I would google MCM split levels to get some ideas but I would never do blue.

    willow626 thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
  • 8 years ago

    How come no blue? We were thinking this kind of color:

  • 8 years ago
    that color is so pretty... but it might clash with the red brick.
  • 8 years ago
    I think to change the green to a light grey or white, because in the other comments they say not to paint brick.
  • 8 years ago

    I think staining is a better option and will allow you to match the brick and stone.

  • 8 years ago
    Staining the brick is a good idea and then that will guide you on what color to paint the green.
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    This house is so very much like the home I grew up in, and where my parents still live. It was built in 1967. With that angular roof line, it's definitely not a Colonial. Maybe not a completely groovy MCM, but definitely looking for that vibe.

    Unlike your home, theirs has no stone, but the brick color is identical, a classic mid-60's color. I wouldn't stain or paint it. The siding (as specified by the architect) was brown stained wood which I think looks great. Find a brown color that looks great with the stone (I selected one of the stone colors for my mock-up.) Not gray, brown is authentic 1960's, with the natural colors of the warm orange brick and the brown wood siding.


    And we had those yew bushes as a hedge in front, too. At one point they were too tall, and my parents just cut them in half horizontally. After a few months of bareness they filled in and look great, just lower. There are other plantings in front of them but they make a nice green background hedge all year.

  • 8 years ago

    I think you are right about the roof lines and adding features to play up MCM. Personally, not a fan of the hedges blocking your entry now, but if you like them I'd clean them up a bit. I threw in some ornamental grasses in both my examples instead.

    I think gray siding and trim is an easy choice with the red brick, it's just a matter of finding the right shade. I included wood features on one example since you mentioned that initially. I don't know how much work/money it would take to remove the stone though. I think the blue you posted is beautiful, but the inspiration you posted has less competing materials than your home, so I'd save a pop of color for your front door.