need Help Remodeling Front Exterior of Home

10 years ago

We have this 1927 Colonial Dutch home. We just replaced the roof and siding to wicker. We plans on redoing the whole front landscaping the end of summer. The brick color we don't really care for that much and need ideas either that wil blend with the wicker siding. Our thoughts are
1. Stone veneer
2.Cover brick with siding
3. Stone and half siding
4.,5.6.etc not sure

I really like the modern wooden poles most homes have by the entrance of the home but e are stuck with brick. We area also getting new cement down in the back yard and also thinking of redoing the front steps. New windows are in mind but not sure.

Featured Answer

lkg1984

10 years ago

I'm not sure what you mean by wicker -- are you refering to the color? Is your new siding in the photo?
If so, the narrowness of the siding pattern means it has lots of busy horizontal lines, and that might be part of what's buggung you. Your eye needs places to rest.
Here are my suggestions:
1. Replace the lowest 1 foot of the siding with a 12" x 1" trim board. Paint it two shades darker than your siding.
2. It seems like the upper window is missing trim around it. Put it back on.
3. Add a window box under that upper window, painted the darker shade.
4. Replace the attic vent with a half-round vent, painted either the same as the window trim, or the darker shade. Half-round is the traditional shape for Dutch colonial attic windows and vents.

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Comments (8)

PRO
Sharon Charboneau, RESA Pro, Interior Stylist
10 years ago
Did you just buy?
1109north11
Original Author
10 years ago
No wanted to sell but going to stay
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PRO
Sharon Charboneau, RESA Pro, Interior Stylist
10 years ago
You are discussing some pretty big, expensive projects, which done piece-meal could cost you more & not come out well.
I would suggest you contact some contractors who have a good reputation for doing renovations, or even an architect to bounce ideas off of before beginning.
Your house looks fine to me, except for 2 things which stand out: tree closest to stairs is overgrown & should be pruned back as it is hiding stairs & part of front of house - same for tree at other end. Can they be blended in with current hedge? Ask a landscape designer.

I like the brick & the colours. The top half of house needs something to balance it better, and I am not qualified to make suggestion: an architect or general contractor would be..
libradesigneye
10 years ago
You have great windows and wicker color relates terrifically to brick tones. Concentrate on nice landscape - maybe change out the attic vent and add a weather vane up top. This is nicer than you think - much nicer. Concentrate on the little things - new black mailbox, add wrought iron script numbers onto lowest siding panel over brick centered over porch opening / over house. Concrete stairs look great - can stone face but very expensive for not much return / must find flag to work with brick tones or contrast. Only complaint is thick gambrel end outside the gabel trim in white - fat and white, could be painted roof gray to fall away from the eye and let the gable end shine.
lkg1984
10 years ago
P.S. Since you mentioned windows, it looks like the uppers were replaced by a set that doesn't match the rest. My hunch is that the uppers used to match the lower ones, which are charming, with their wider vertical trim between each window and the 3-over-1 sashes. If you do replace the windows, they should match, and no fake grilles.

I agree that your steps look good, and there are some nice stone embellishments in the brick that would be a shame to lose.
The more you alter the original look, the harder it is to make everything mesh.
1109north11
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks so much, should I put any lighting or add different rails
lkg1984
10 years ago
I can't see a railing in this photo, but I agree with the suggestion to trim back the bush on the left. That would take the porch out of hiding. Is the railing there?
If you need lighting on the stairs, you could hide a spotlight in the hostas and aim it there.