Anything but brick painting! No Brick Painting.

In 6 years natural brick will be the rage again and Atomic Ranch Magazine may have to pay reparations to all the brick painting that they highlighted. I'm kidding, but serious. It's a beautiful, naturally colored material, let it be that. Not to mention, brick is installed, and meant to breathe, let it breathe. We don't paint river rock do we?

Derek Hurd

Gravitas, Inc.

112 E 33rd St.

Garden City, ID 83714

208.367.1184

www.gravitaslc.com

Hi Derek -

It's funny; I used to hate painted brick, but in walking and driving around nearby neighborhoods, I see so much of it, and I think if the color scheme is good, it looks much better than how my house looks right now. Because of that, I've changed my tune on brick. But I would prefer to keep it natural, as you suggested, because I want to 'respect' the natural brick if possible.

That said, do you have any suggestions for how to improve the exterior of this house? And would you call it a ranch style house, even with that skillion/shed/lean-to roof style?

Thanks,

Kendall

Probably considered a ranch, but I think it could be anything. What do you like? Modern...farmhouse...what colors?

Katie B.: Our HOA's architectural committee (comprised of residents, none of whom are architects, contractors, or designers) wants everybody to stay within style and color choices similar to other 1970's ranch houses throughout the development. They wouldn't approve anything that's too bold, but would likely approve any upgrades that don't stand out too much. Some residents have added subtle craftsman elements, and a few houses were built with Tudor style beams on the facade. Truly modern wouldn't fit in, but more subtle elements of other styles would.

Celerygirl: I love the MCM rendering! While I like the white on white color scheme, I think our HOA might balk. The windows and garage door ideas would be an easy sell, and I think bringing in some MCM elements would get their stamp of approval. We have a tome of CC&Rs (honestly, it's a massive document) from the 1970's, but much of those old rules are not enforced. My hope is that if we can get our house looking much better with non-ranch style updates, others may follow suit. Then our development could look more custom and less tract home, but that's just my hope.

I don’t think you need to do anything major here. Do you like this?

This is one of my favorite transformations of your style home...its mostly cosmetic..paint, landscaping...in your case I’d splurge on a new garage door. If your siding is in good shape, keep it.

I would paint the brick and never look back.

I feel like you would have a great change if you could redo the "pergola". Instead of it being slanted , have it come straight out flat. I would also change the plantings and the pathway so it stands out more. I would also paint the house.

Smaller things can have great impact, if you do them one at a time. Build up the changes so it doesn't go too far or get too expensive.

Good luck!

Katie B.: We will absolutely replace the garage door, and the landscaping is long overdue! Thanks for the house photo!

Debbi: By "pergola", I think you mean the brown "exposed rafter tails" (as the roofer called them). We have been wondering what to do with that feature. I hadn't considered changing the angle, but that may be a great idea. Some people have cut them off, and a few houses have the ends cut to look more craftsman style. I haven't seen the flat pergola style on that feature. Thanks!

I like your house...it reminds me of the Brady Bunch house. I believe a new garage door and landscaping would do wonders.

I like you house and I think the style is very MCM.

How about painting the siding a color that is close in value to the beams and brick? I did a mock-up in brown, with super dark brown on the beams, but it could be any color.

One example of a garage door.

Midcentury Home · More Info

Another garage door.

Martis CAmp Lot 584 · More Info

Yum, this is a striking blue, slightly purple.

Balmoral House · More Info

You could easily live right by me. I have a few neighborhoods of homes like yours nearby...I love driving through to look at the transformations. People have done every style you can imagine...cape cod, farmhouse, mcm, modern mediterranean, etc. etc.

There‘s one where they removed the rafter tails to open it up. Some engineering was involved, for sure. It looks kind of like this:

Two big pillars and one cross beam (probably not the correct terminology).

houssaon: We've considered 'greige' colors and grey or beige with a slightly greenish cast (similar to what you chose). Your photoshopping skills are much better than mine. Mine looked ridiculous and comical! Thanks for your photo!

Katie B.: Those pillars might fix the problem of the disconnected 'cleaved in two' look. Thanks for the idea!

I think this would be a good example for siding and color for your home. The plantings around your home should be more casual in appearance though. Lots of Agapanthus & other perennials.

I'd consider limewashing the brick so it appears less heavy visually

Garden and plants like you see below.

Me again!

Love what celery and Beverly posted.

here’s another I’ve seen that was an impressive update of your style home. Sorry for the weird photo...I had to try to photoshop two poor driveby phone photos together. But you get the idea. This might give you some ideas for your entry and mending the roof.

you also mentioned windows...you could add a second window on the left side...modifications like that start turning into $$$ though.

Beverly and Katie: Thank you both for the photos! It's great to see one with the board and batten that looks nice, and certainly upgraded. And I like the multiple types and colors of siding in the 'driveby' photo. I've read so much about how having a really interesting facade has a big impact on the viewer's mood. Here's to promoting good moods for the whole neighborhood! (Especially during the pandemic!)

You can do board and batten with cedar plank. I’ve seen this in my ‘hood as well.

Or incorporate it with your doors

it's MCM for sure, and that roofline has a really great shape. I love it.

I think a new coat of paint and a new garage door would go a long way. maybe wrap the brick pillar under the pergola with wood (or if that brick pillar has a veneer: remove it).

do that and the new landscaping, and I think it'll look really great!

bonus points: what is that front room? putting in a giant floor-to-ceiling window would really give it that midcentury wow factor, but of course that would be impractical if it's a bedroom.

if it IS a bedroom, what would you think about replacing the window with big sliders and adding a small seating area there?

as for color, I'd choose something dark.

Katie B.: I've seen lots of wood plank with MCM designs, and it does look nice. BTW, if those photos are from your neighborhood, you have beautiful trees there! We're near San Diego; it's nice, but not many of those beautiful tall pines. Alas!

B F: I'm sold on a new garage door with windows along the lines of those you included. The garage door alone should improve things so much. Also, the white trim really improves that skillion roof that I'm finally starting to appreciate. I used to hate it. I'm glad you like it. Thanks also for the paint color ideas. Your photoshopping is impressive!

B F: I forgot to answer you... The wall on the left side of the house has two bedrooms behind it. We're thinking (after all the great suggestions) of removing the existing window and creating two casement or double hung windows, spaced evenly (one in each bedroom).

Ooh I love BF’s second mockup.

thanks!

kendallinsd I think those window changes to the bedrooms would make a big difference to the curb appeal.

by the way, I am not against painting brick. if done right, it will be fine. however, yours is a nice muted reddish tone. I think what's not working is that there's too much contrast between the brick and siding, breaking up the shapes. the mockups houssaon and I did for you look better because it gives your house a more cohesive look.

I also encourage keeping (or restoring) that pergola. again, it's part of the midcentury shape of that house that makes it special. but like I suggested before, a wood pillar might look better there.

have fun. post pics as you improve this adorable home!