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Ideas needed for exterior

8 years ago
We’re under contract with the house pictured here. We live next door in the house on the right and this will remain a rental. Ideas on how to update the exterior? The bale plus siding is staying for now. I already know I want to paint the brick another color besides “brick red.” Thanks!

Comments (13)

  • 8 years ago
    What’s your budget?
  • 8 years ago
    I know this is not what you asked for advice about, but I loved those diamond-shaped roof tiles!
  • 8 years ago

    Do you want the brick & house all one color, or the brick to be a different accent color?

    We just painted our house, which was mostly a horrible mix of brown, tan, and pale reddish brick--I like browns and tans, but these were really blah and dated colors, with a bunch of hideous river rocks stuck to the front for emphasis (most of the houses on the street have these abominations on them, like carbuncles on the facade). We had them paint all of it, brick, siding, and rocks, with Sherwin-Williams "Earl Grey," and then did all the trim and garage door in S-W "Extra White." The front door is S-W "Oceanside," and it looks fantastic--I've had several people comment on how the gray really makes that blue pop (it's not as visible in the photo, because it was an overcast dusk when I took the pic, but you get an idea anyway).


    I love front doors in different, bright colors (or in shiny black) and think they look very modern--there's a house a few miles from us painted a gorgeous deep gray with a bright sunny yellow front door, and it is lovely and very modern-looking. I'm also going to tile the front porch (barely visible in this photo; it too is reddish brown) with this tile:

    7.75"x7.75" Cavado Ceramic Floor/Wall Tiles, Set of 25, Black · More Info

    which I'm very excited about--if only the weather would cool down enough for me to do it!

    IMO cool colors tend to look modern, like grays and gray-blues, but I also love yellow and cream exteriors. I think painting that house a pale yellow or cream (including the brick) and then doing a nice shiny trim, something unexpected like red or black, would be charming, as would basically any color with a white trim. Replace that wrought iron railing with wood slats painted in your trim color--they look dated, IMO, and widen the trim so it's more like the trim on your house, which is lovely. I love thick trim around windows especially, and that first-floor window would definitely benefit from it. Tile or paint the steps, to make it all look "finished."

    It's a lovely house, I'm envious! I hope these ideas help, and very much hope you'll come back and show us pics once completed. Best of luck to you!

  • 8 years ago
    Interesting
  • 8 years ago
    Paint the brick grey. I am loving the many front doors that are being painted in shades of orange. Personally, I would really pop it w/a bright orange. If not as adventurous, then a softer melon or peach. Give it some personality! The lime I'm seeing in these beautiful old neighborhoods is wonderful, too.
  • 8 years ago

    Oooh, yes! Lol, I can't believe I didn't think of orange, considering my entire interior is being painted that color (bright deep orange on one kitchen wall, a lighter, paler orange on the rest of the kitchen and house). I love orange. And lime green is an excellent suggestion, too; it would/will look gorgeous on that house, especially with deep navy trim elsewhere. If the house & brick are white or gray, with navy trim and a lime or orange front door...that would look smashing, and I'm kind of annoyed that I didn't think of it for my house!! :-)

  • 8 years ago

    monochromatic, including the 2nd floor railing. My experience with renters has been 'don't knock yourself out, or spend too much money.' horror stories.

  • 8 years ago
    Thanks for the advice so far, folks. To clarify a couple questions:

    1) House next door is mine, I live there now.

    2) Painting the siding is not in the budget or plans right now so it will stay that pale blue.

    Loving the grey idea or stripping the brick. Also agree about nixing the wrought iron porch.

    Keep me coming and thanks again!
  • 8 years ago

    Your home is two colors; make the rental beside it two colors as well.


    If you're keeping the fascia a dark gray or black, paint the rest of the trim that same dark color (except the narrow white window frames which you could leave white). Paint the brick the same dark gray/black color as well.



  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    "House next door is mine, I live there now."

    Ha! Then do what you did. ;-)

    I didn't notice that in your original post. Your house looks very cool. I love the flare-outs at the bottom of the roof and the wood corner details. And the colors are perfect.

    Do it again. You may have to ease in on it: trim now, siding down the road, etc. But if you can get started with the trim colors, and the porch and the railing, that'll be a huge step.

  • 8 years ago

    If the siding will stay that color, then I definitely vote dark blue for the brick & trim, just how your house's trim is a darker shade of the siding color. Navy brick would look fantastic, and then paint the steps white (or vice versa). Make sure it's a flat/matte paint, not semi-gloss.

  • 8 years ago
    Reminded me of your place, cute