Software
Houzz Logo Print
2013house123

how do i modernize the tudor?

6 years ago

We bought this house 4 years ago and renovated the inside. We now have to tackle the outside, and we think we would like to modernize it. Any suggestions would be appreciated.


Comments (22)

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Wow I think the house looks great as is. What do you mean by modernize it? Is the front door open or is it a dark color? I would paint it white to match the trim. New landscaping always updates a home

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    The house is really cute. What don't you like about it? IMO it's pretty modern by Tudor standards, but if you wanted a modern home this wasn't the right choice for you. If anything paint the front door and storm door so they match.

  • 6 years ago

    In what way do you want to modernize it? Is the neighborhood full of modern homes? Will it fit in? I love it. Cute as a button! You can add some more interesting landscaping. What is there is pretty typical.

  • 6 years ago

    Thank you all for your comments.

    I thought about painting the brick white or lime washing it. Door is black - used to be red when we bought it but the door was old and couldn't be salvaged. When i mean modernize it, i think about all stucco white, with black windows...something like that.

  • 6 years ago

    Painting the brick is absolutely the LAST thing you should do ! Your house is very cute. I would focus my attention on cosmetic fixes such as landscaping. Don’t mess it up by trying to “modernize “ it. It’s not modern ( I live in a very modern home ).

  • 6 years ago

    I agree that painting the brick in this case would detract from the home. If you like the white/black trim look, you can still leave the brick as-is, paint the stucco white, and black out the trim and windows. If it were my home, I'd also ditch the front storm/screen door.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    It's your home and you should modernize it if that's your choice. Do think on this however. Look at the other homes in the neighborhood. Take your time with changes that will be hard to undo. Photoshop major changes to see if it works for the end result you are looking for.

    I can tell you if this lovely home were mine I would be looking to do the following:

    Rounding the steps to mimic the curve of the windows.


    Scalloped (S shaped) landscape with less foliage.



    Brighten the front door by altering the color of the light fixture and mailbox and painting the door itself with the lighter color. Use a color from the brick such as this mid range grey.



    The top 1/2 of the home is very busy and disassociates from the bottom half. You need to add interest to the bottom half then add something to bring the eye up. To do this, other than lighting and curving the bottom a taller decorative item on the front steps would be great too. Choose something bright 1/2 the height of the door.


  • 6 years ago

    You home says classy and confortable to me, a winning combo. I would freshen landscaping before “modernizing” the exterior.

  • 6 years ago

    What look do you like? If you like a lime washed or white washed brick, then do it. If you like it painted, then do it. It's your home to enjoy. If you are doing it to add value to your home, possibly for future resale, then I would hold off. While some do like the painted or white washed brick look, many do not. It may would be best in that case to keep the exterior as is (with the possibility of updating the door area) and then just addressing the landscaping.


    If you're asking because this is your forever home, then I'd totally go for changing the brick & windows. And, then would go with a nice wood front door with glass, etc. Lastly, address the landscaping.

  • 6 years ago

    Thank you all for your suggestions!!! This is very helpful!

  • 6 years ago

    Not a pro. I like the brick the way it is. You could get an interesting wood storm door.

  • 6 years ago

    The house is a tudor, and will never look "modern," but why does it matter? I'd embrace her for what she is: no point trying to turn Glenn Close into Kim Kardashian ;) Leave the brick alone - it's her best feature - and work on her makeup - trim, door, garden.

  • 6 years ago

    I agree that the tan is kind of boring, but I'm inclined to think that plain white on the stucco part might come off as too harsh against the brick. I suggest that you go to one of the paint brand websites, upload a better photo of the house (with out the glare) and try out different paint/trim colors to see what looks good.

  • 6 years ago

    We have a brick Tudor. We had black Andersen’s and a charcoal roof put on and I feel like it added a lot!! (We’ve also landscaped a lot since this photo but your landscaping is beautiful already!)

  • 6 years ago

    Your house is VERY beautiful! The only things that I would change are the front door color ( something lighter) , and power wash the porch/sidewalks.


  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I wouldn't paint brick. Wouldn't really change anything but if you are looking to change it up a bit. Maybe a unusual color around/on the trim of windows. A matching colorful front door. A large oversized planter next to front door with a color, ric New modern lighting by front door. Modern house numbers by front door.

    Different plantings that are more "modern" looking. Think plain and simple, not fussy. I'm not sure what though.

  • 6 years ago

    I think your home could be stunning with painted brick. Just be sure to use a masonry appropriate paint like Romabio.

  • 6 years ago

    Want to lower the value of your home in an afternoon? Paint the brick.

    It's never going to be modern, no matter what you do. Plus, the brick is the only interesting surface on your house.

    It looks like the brick could use a good cleaning.

    The 4 windows on the front are cheap replacements that don't fit their openings. Spend some money, do it right, and replace them with ones that follow the top curve of the brick. That will make it look much better.

    Then two more things:

    1. Landscaping...get some height in plantings near the corners--but open, not dense evergreens or shrubs.

    2. Turn off HGTV. It's bad for you and your house.

  • 6 years ago

    Your house is beautiful and charming! Do not paint the brick and take out all the character.

  • 4 years ago

    What did you end up doing to your home? I have a similar one and looking for ideas

  • 4 years ago

    There is no need to modernize a classic-style house. It’s charming as-is.