Yellow Brick Exterior Update

6 years ago

We recently bought a 160 year old yellow brick farmhouse. I originally wanted to paint the brick gray or white, but my husband is set on keeping the original brick. That being said, I think the house looks so drab and outdated so Im now trying to brainstorm how to update it without changing the brick colour!
My ideas are:

1) Add shutters to each window? If I do, I am not sure what colour scheme I should pick. Whatever colour we do the shutters, we will also change the siding (that is only on the garage) to be the same colour.

2) Trim all the windows in a bold white frame?

I should mention that the front porch area is being removed and eventually we are going to add wooden beams. And the front door is also being replaced with a solid wood door with glass on the sides.

Heeelp! Any ideas welcome!

Featured Answer

ulisdone

6 years ago

It is difficult to tell from the photos, but it looks like you may have some major brick deterioration going on there. If it is not just the photos (or my eyes), you may want to get an expert to look at that.

I love the color, and the simple historic quality of your house, so please don’t try to turn it into something it is not.

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Comments (7)

rinked
6 years ago
If that's the front porch, the bushes can use some vigorous trimming.

Paint the window sills a color matching the brick,but the window frames themselves in a contrasting color. Then see what you've got and go from there.

Personally I'd wait with the shutter decision. First things first.
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toddinmn
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I think the original brick looks great, I’d focus more on the trim and accent colors.
decoenthusiaste
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Tackle the landscaping first; its terrible. Then when we can see the house, post again.
tasha raposo
Original Author
6 years ago
thanks. ya, landscaping isnt a worry because everything you see is getting ripped out lol. there won't be any trimming because once its spring the greenery is all going
chiflipper
6 years ago
" but it looks like you may have some major brick deterioration going on there. "

Middle photo...appears you may need tuckpointing on that wall.
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
6 years ago
What a lovely home! I too would be really interested in seeing the house - in other words, we can't see it now. Post again when the front is cleared.

I really like those sample pictures that rinq posted. Are your windows being replaced by any chance?

And I think I'd heed the above advice about making sure the brick is weatherproofed (tuckpointed). After that's taken care of, I think the brick looks fine.