I NEED some curb appeal! What are your best ideas!!

13 years ago

Looking for some help with our new home. I am not a fan of painting brick, but not fond of this brick color. What are your best ideas to make this house more inviting and warm?

Featured Answer

nwduck

13 years ago

Ok, here goes. I don't think you need to paint your brick. There's really not so much of it that it overpowers the house. I would find a silvery gray to paint the trim, as I think chocolate and a silver/gray could look pretty sophisticated. (Plus, there is a silvery gray tone to your shake roof.) Get modern numbers in silver for under the light fixture on the left. Change the outside light fixtures to silver. Take out that shrub to the right of the front door, so the kind of charcoal gray tile on the entry shows more. Trim the shrub on the left of the entry about level, or maybe a smidge higher than your top entry step. Get modern rectangular (at least 2' tall) silver metal planters to put on the top step. Plant some evergreen plants in them for year round, and do colorful annuals around the base of those plants. That is one ginormous tree in your front yard....or is it two? Looks like a spruce. I have a neighbor with a similar tree that limbed it up from the bottom a bit (about 5'-6'), and put a mulched bed around the bottom. Eventually they put a large piece of metal art under that tree, and it looks pretty sharp. They didn't plant anything under it, because, basically, that's hopeless. Just so you know. :)

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Comments (38)

PRO
Stanton Designs-online design services
13 years ago
What about it makes it uninviting to you?
skru33 thanked Stanton Designs-online design services
Brenda
13 years ago
I love the look of your home. The brown might be a bit dark - especially with the black trim.
skru33 thanked Brenda
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skru33
Original Author
13 years ago
It is pretty dark- unfortunately the owners just painted it this summer.
skru33
Original Author
13 years ago
We would like to make the home look more modern, but to keep in mind the style and design of the home.
PRO
Stanton Designs-online design services
13 years ago
I agree, the dark paint with the dark trim is a lot. You could paint the front door to bring some color and lighten up that space. Lighten up the trim, and find some exterior lights that are not in a dark black finish. Add some color with some flowers and it will start to transform.
decoenthusiaste
13 years ago
Open it up some by removing the clumpy bushes near the house. They are blocking the entry and you need to make it inviting, not barricaded. Then extend and embellish (perhaps with the help of a local nursery) the sweeping bed in the foreground to meet the house.
skru33 thanked decoenthusiaste
skru33
Original Author
13 years ago
I have been looking at very modern stainless lights, with some stainless numbers to put in front of the house, I was worried they would look too modern for the rest of the home, your thoughts?

http://www.lightingdirect.com/eglo-86993-arktic-single-light-outdoor-wall-sconce/p1054233
skru33
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks Decoenthusiaste- I do think I need to dig those out!!
skru33
Original Author
13 years ago
Would you paint the brick? If so which color? I don't want to make my house darker than what it is!
skru33
Original Author
13 years ago
Please give me your input...to paint the brick or not?
michie88
13 years ago
I like the brick. If you can paint, but not the whole house, then I would try to paint the front door. I'd also replace the outside lights with something lighter. Then add some colorful flowers in front of the brick next to the garage and perhaps mimic that in some larger pots to the left of the entry. I would also trim the two big bushes in the front that are encroaching on your entry. Overall though, i think it looks pretty good already. Good luck!
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nwduck
13 years ago
Forgot the doors. OK for now, but I think this would look great with double full glass panel frosted doors.
skru33 thanked nwduck
skru33
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for your comments- nwduck, you have given me some pretty manageable ideas- many that I can do myself! I am all about trimming the trees and taking up the spruce branches (had not considered that)! I can see the lights need to go, and will definitely add some silver numbers- great suggestions! Michie- I will trim the trees that encroach on the entry and add some color with flowers. Thanks everyone, I am feeling better about the outside of the home. It is interesting that no one feels I should paint the brick. I will get to the nursery to jazz up the exterior and clean things up! Nwduck, the doors are on our long list of things to replace!
nwduck
13 years ago
I think if you do lift the tree(s) up somewhat, it will open up the front to a human sized perspective of more of the front yard. It will allow you to do a crisp bed line around the trees instead of them looking smooshed into the grass. Now that I look at it again, consider making that flower bed in front of the trees into more of an arc shape that mimics the round arc of the trees. Right now it looks like it goes the opposite way. If you take a hose and lay it out on the ground it is easier to visualize redoing the bed shape and size. Take a picture of your house/yard to the nursery, and they will be able to help you pick some shrubs to put in the tree-side of that flower bed that are a silvery and green complement to the trees. Then you can just plant annual color in the front of your shrub base. If you are in an area where hemlock bark as mulch is available, I would use that. More chocolate in color, doesn't turn color, sliver free.
mmers
13 years ago
I'd suggest you talk to an arborist before you remove any limbs on the bottom of spruce tree - personally I don't think that's good for the tree. I really think you need something to make the front door stand out. The shrub against the garage wall is also too big, I think. New lighting by the garage would also help and a lighter trim colour. But again, talk to an arborist about the spruce.
lorilead
13 years ago
Hi I agree with the shrubs needing to be tended to. Think about leading lines. There should be a trail or clear distinction this is the way to the front door. The trees are heavy and dominate on the side boundary. Maybe a feature out front so that the trees recede away a bit? Def need some colour help try going a lighter colour on the trims? Good luck
Rick Spence
13 years ago
Consider removing the evergreen adjacent to the garage and making a larger more welcoming line to the front door, landscape design would go a long way here. Look for opportunities to create contrast with some of the dark colors, larger light fixtures that aren't black...etc. I like brick and would rarely consider painting it. Look at all other options before taking that route.
nwduck
13 years ago
mmers: An arborist is always a good idea when dealing with trees of this size and age and am glad you suggested that, even if it's just to check condition. I've got 12 100' tall Douglas firs (you should see the limbs on these babies, not to mention the debris) in my yard, and had a spruce at our last house, all of which we have used a licensed arborist on. Wouldn't have advised if I didn't think it was ok. But you are right. Checking with a professional is always a good idea before you start hacking at something of this value!
PRO
Stamps Design Services
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
How about a lighter and brighter color for the siding and trim? You might find you like (or can live with) the brick a bit better after painting the siding and trim. I also recommend trimming back the shrubbery, that looks like it is trying to eat the house :-)
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mmers
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
we have a lot of large trees in our neighbourhood - I'm amazed at the people who have just gone out and hacked away at their trees - nwduck, not everyone thinks like us unfortunately!
skru33 thanked mmers
nwduck
13 years ago
Well, I grew up in the woods, and moved to the city. I wept when one of my street trees broke in a storm, fell and hit my 40 year old Japanese maple, and am not ashamed. Although my husband didn't get it. (City boy.) Maybe skru33 could check with the arborist, do a 3' lift first and see. :)
lexiconlover
13 years ago
change the roof, paint the door, trim down the bushes in front of the house, colorful trim i.e. window frames (which may require you to remove any siding you have on the exterior) and plant colorful plants with flowers from curb to door to lead the eye in.
PRO
Carolyn Choi
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
As much as I like your home's architecture I dislike having a garage as a focal point so I would start there-unifying the entrance with the garage with a modern pergola, clearing out the space for a courtyard garden as in the example below. I'm not crazy about the landscaping - it should be a lot more contemporary .
Mid-Century Modern Addition, Truro · More Info
If you are tired of the brown, a sage body with tan and mustard accents on the trim would look good. I would clear out all those overgrown Spruces on the left to open up your landscape and show off the great lines of your home. I would also remove the existing shrubs near your entrance . Example of a modern courtyard garden below.
Courtyard · More Info
Marci
13 years ago
The house looks like a 1970's split level. The current doors clash with the architectural style of the house. May I suggest that you replace the doors (look into Crestview doors) with something that has more of a mid-century vibe? Or, as someone already suggested, frosted glass doors would also look nice. You may consider lightening the trim and coordinate that with the new door color. You can go in different directions here, something subdued, such as a sagey-gray color, or a beige, or totally wild with a tangerine or lime color. You can upload a picture of your house into the Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore engines and play with color combinations. This is Phase One.

Phase Two would be to discuss with an arborist and/or landscape designer options for landscaping that complement the changes you make in Phase One.

Good luck, it's a beautiful house and you will have fun making the changes that will transform it into your home!
skru33 thanked Marci
skru33
Original Author
13 years ago
Some incredible ideas- so appreciated- thank you! Sweet Caroline that would look incredible- an idea that I had never thought of! Marci4 thanks for suggesting Crestview doors- they are awesome!
skru33
Original Author
13 years ago
Stamps- yes it does look like the shrubs are trying to eat the house!!! I love the color combos, especially the beige and green one- gorgeous and original!
PRO
Stamps Design Services
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Painting a home is generally the least costly way to update the look of a home, especially if the homeowner you does it. How about considering lights along the likes of these? Lights that are too modern will look out of place, these are lights based on updates of more traditional lights. Keep in mind you will also need to change the door handles to go with new lights....
skru33 thanked Stamps Design Services
PRO
Dynamic Garage Door
13 years ago
Maybe some landscape lighting and if the budget permits, replace the garage door to something fresh and airy with maybe some windows and a lighter color. The garage is the first thing you see as you're looking at the house so that might create a greater impact. I'm including an example of how lighting and contrasting color combinations make a great impact in curb appeal. Call us at 855-343-3667 if you need more information or ideas.
skru33 thanked Dynamic Garage Door
skru33
Original Author
13 years ago
Love the idea with the garage doors- thanks!
User
12 years ago
I love a Blue Spruce-- just not where it's at! I think if you got rid of it, it would open up the house more and take away that dark look a bit. Time to take out all those shrubs as well. They are past their prime and have outgrown the space. Nobody wants to be attacked by a shrub when coming up the sidewalk. Replace them with perennials that suit the light requirements. The shrubs on the left are over-reaching too. Take them out and find some suitable dwarf shrubs. In the meantime, prune them back at the appropriate time of year--after flowering if they are flowering shrubs. On the "paint the brick" issue. I wouldn't. There's something that looks really dated about doing that. I think opening up the yard more would do wonders for lighting the house up. I agree with the comment about changing the light fixtures as well.
PRO
Edmonton Stone Designers
12 years ago
Hi, I am a Landscape Designer, and had the same brick on my 30 year old Ranch style home, Painting the brick is an easy and quick update!

Here are my suggestions:

Paint the brick -- a Taupe colour
Remove the two cedar shrubs in front of the picture window and right of the front door!
Remove the ground cover and put a decorative rock (limestone) along the right of the front door! Now you can see the beautiful front door.
Use two large (3') square pots on either side of the front entrance, (not by the garage that's old school) and accent with a bright colour, all white flowers with red accents, over fill the pots for a dramatic look.
Trim the Spruce tree to 3' off the ground, gives the front yard a more open clean look!

That's my ideas, Good Luck!
skru33
Original Author
12 years ago
Awesome ideas! I did not know the pots next to the garage are old school! THANKS!
flopsycat1
12 years ago
Skru33- your last post before today was almost a year ago. Have you implemented any changes since then?
skru33
Original Author
12 years ago
Hi Flopsy cat. I have! not done but will post a picture today!
Lori Kleist
12 years ago
can't wait to see!
ladydi5485
12 years ago
Paint the front door, garage door and add bright flowers :)
annharrell
11 years ago
In the photo, your home is overwhelmed by that big dark garage door. It's the first thing a person sees, and does not invite the eye further. Painting the brick will not help. As much as I love dark wood, I agree with the folks who have submitted great ideas for painting the garage door and matching trim. I can't even see the light fixture, which would also make a great place for the silver (copper) numbers. Since the garage is such a prominent feature in the design, make the most of it. Leave the brick alone :-) Trust me, you do not want to maintain painted brick.