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trinityequine

Ideas for exterior glow up?

5 years ago

What’s missing? Budget is $3k max.
(note: not replacing/painting windows or changing siding color).

Comments (11)

  • 5 years ago

    What is the pile of things in front of your gate? Do you usually park the cars in the garage?

  • 5 years ago

    Is the fence to restrain pets or kids? I would remove it if it serves no practical purpose. The awnings don't work with the roof. If you're wanting to add that cedar to your home, replace the porch posts with cedar ones.

  • 5 years ago

    spend the money on landscaping that area where that flower bed is. you need some color and definition

    i'm thinking more contrast w/the fence and the porch posts maybe? a slightly darker blue than the siding?

    or, change the porch posts out to cedar to match the corbels on the awnings. I think a bit more natural wood would warm up all those cool white tones.

  • 5 years ago

    I like the suggestions of cedar posts and more landscaping to create welcoming feel. I also would look at breaking up the visual of monolithic siding by putting in a horizontal trim piece across the upper portion of the whole house to help the windows look more right sized to the space and help bring proportion to the overall structure. This might help your windows look more right size to the massive walls. Consider a horizontal piece part way up 2nd story or in the gables. It would be even better if the color or the siding itself changed above the trim but even if you don’t change siding above the trim line, just a break in the siding would still really help the feel of the proportions. Here’s some photos as examples:

  • 5 years ago

    I really want that one arched window squared off. it has no business on that house!

  • 5 years ago

    Were getting a very specific view of an angle of the house that's making you think somethings missing, I think it's the intersection on the garage roof? It's like a massive void where there needs to be better joining of garage roof and house roof. Can't change that, so I'd plant a large shade tree that will grow into proportion with the house that will help disguise it. A dark roof will help minimize the massive roof too.

  • 5 years ago

    The fence is to contain our 4 dogs so it does serve a purpose. I know it’s ugly. We plan to replace it next summer. the house sits 500 off the road and isn’t visible from the street. we do park in the garage and in the driveway.

  • 5 years ago

    @doubledeerfarms Love the idea of a horizontal trim piece to break up the large walls, especially the big garage wall. That’s the wall which bothers me the most. Thank you!

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Gorgeous setting. The most important appearance for a house is the one the family sees as they drive up. I suggest taking a bunch of photos that show how the house looks as you drive up, then as you walk to whichever entrance you use. Some new perenniais and bulbs could give your entryway more personality. The extra $3K can go toward the new dog fence.

    Glen Fries Associates · More Info


  • 5 years ago

    Really nice home and great yard.

    The two changes I'd want to make:

    1. Remove those front porch posts and, if support for the roof is needed, either create side triangle supports or side supports for a heavier full width beam. This could be an opportunity to create more of a focal point at your front entry by using natural finish wood or contrasting color wood.


    2. Add metal triangle sides to the metal awnings over both window and door for a more finished look for the awnings.


    Would consider long term costs as well as short term costs for any changes you make.


    If the window awning serves it's intended purpose and that purpose is shade, keep it until a shade tree in the yard makes it unnecessary. The right tree could provide shade in summer and let summer warmth in during the cold of winter.


    If the awning over the garage door is to protect the door from weather, you don't want to change it out for an open arbor that would not serve that purpose. A flat wood arbor could even defeat the protect-from-weather purpose by keeping moisture against the siding and have ongoing maintenance costs since anything painted will, inevitably, need to be repainted and exterior wood features can age quickly.


    To avoid future damage/cost, I'd move any trees between sidewalk and house out into the yard before the trees are too large to be moved. Tree roots too close to the house can damage a foundation and limbs can damage siding or, when taller, roofing.


    You might want to consider more uniform planting between sidewalk and house. Would liriope grow well in your planting zone? You could group like larger shrubs together in the yard and/or place them as a privacy barrier for a to-be-built-later patio.


    Are those landscaping posts stacked at the end of your driveway by your fence? Sadly, those things will rot and even if "treated" will eventually attract bugs if not termites. Would not put them in the ground near the house or anywhere as a permanent feature. If you're planning to use them as fence posts, sealing the part you put into the ground with a good paint before standing them would be a good idea.


    If your fence still serves its intended purpose but the look of it concerns you, then you might consider a darker paint -- perhaps the blue/gray of your awnings -- for your fence until such time as, budget permitting, you decide to replace it. Because your home has blue tones, I'd be reluctant to suggest a green fence but there are exterior paints intended to resemble natural wood finishes you might consider if you want a more "natural" fence rather than stark white paints you're considering on the back side and see how you like the look of it before investing in enough paint for the entire fence.

    Do post after pics and if/when you decide to work on a patio, for your indoor/outdoor living areas -- you have a great place for that -- then do consider posting pics of those efforts as well.