Need serious help with the outside of this 1970's ranch house.

13 years ago

This home was in some serious need of updating when I purchased it. It is a nice quiet neighborhood, huge lawn, but outdated! I did several things to the interior. The picture is deceiving as it has a nice layout and size inside. The only things I have been able to do so far to the exterior is a storm door and a garage door. The yellow brick is awful. And matching colors to it is a nightmare. I will be getting new gutters and soffets (color??) Replacing the shutters with actual shutters the size of the window. (color?), Painting the trim? Would like to yank out 1970's bushes for new plantings and put window boxes. And update the metal posts on the porch with square ones. I need help with a major makeover of this home. Help!

Featured Answer

PRO

Revolutionary Gardens

13 years ago

Tammy, one thing that would help update your home would be new, larger windows that actually fill the entire opening. We did this with a 1950s ranch that had a similar issue and it made a huge difference. Replacing the dated iron "posts" with something more substantial, and updating the landscaping, will make a huge difference. If you can find a local landscape designer who also deals with minor structural modifications like the ones I mentioned (there aren't a ton of us, but we're out there), you'll be able to get a very cohesive look that will make your house feel up to date.

And I know a lot of folks are against painting the brick, but that brick color screams "I have Harvest Gold appliances and a wood paneled rec room." I'd paint it.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (24)

Keitha
13 years ago
I would paint the ugly yellow brick... It would make a big difference!
Tammy Raab
Original Author
13 years ago
More pictures.
Related Professionals
Pensacola Interior Designers & Decorators · Valdosta Interior Designers & Decorators · Indianapolis Interior Designers & Decorators · Concord Interior Designers & Decorators · Mesquite Interior Designers & Decorators · Amarillo Interior Designers & Decorators · Honolulu Interior Designers & Decorators · Cornwall Interior Designers & Decorators · Cape Girardeau Architects & Building Designers · Jacksonville Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Florence Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Johnson City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Spring Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Waterloo Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Altoona Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
Tammy Raab
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you! You made me laugh about the brick. But you are 100% right! :)
PRO
User
13 years ago
If you use a dark gray accent, it might help make that brick look more contemporary. I think the issue with painting brick is the long term maintenance. Use large 8"+ columns of treated lumber rather than old metal columns.

The shrubs are not meant to look like globs in the front yard. If you get rid of them, you could install new landscape that gives a natural texture and color--not forced (hedge-trimmers). I see grasses, russian sage, cedars, a japanese maple...what zone are you in?
PRO
User
13 years ago
color kinda like this...I realize, yes, they painted the brick...but--so you can see yellow and gray
French Country Garden · More Info
Tammy Raab
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi Christine, thank you! I am in Zone 6. (6a to be exact). That is my worry about the brick, is the maintenance. I hadn't thought of a dark gray accent. That might look nice! And yes, I would love to take the shrubs out. They are overgrown and not attractive at all. (Basically only good for Christmas lights!)
yellowfinch030
13 years ago
My suggestions are change the gutters & soffits colour to cream. Paint the brown in a light yellow or cream. Front door paint white. Take out the bushes in front and add colourful plants, bright red, blue, or purple hydrangea which will last all summer and into fall. The bushes seem to bury the house. The colours will make your house look tall and bigger. More impressive. Please do not paint the brick, Never looks nice when finished,
Tammy Raab
Original Author
13 years ago
Christine - I just saw your picture and the colors of the home are gorgeous!
PRO
User
13 years ago
You have a lot of options in zone 6! Connect with a local nursery/designer. They'll set you up with great plant ideas. And check the university extension. Pick a focal plant and build around it. Go crazy and paint your front door eggplant/purple...I did! =)
Sara Mabry is
13 years ago
I bought a yellow brick house because I liked the location, I CHANGED THE TRIM COLOR EVERY TIME I COULD AFFORD IT. one day my husband said lets paint the BRICK we had many naysayers when we started but as we went on people started watching us, We had to have a new roof also. We got a pewter roof, painted brick White, shutters charcoal, 5 new porch posts, pulled up all old plants with our oldest car, got a new full view storm door. Then the mail man said we needed to move the house as it was the best looking house in the area. That was 30 yrs ago. the house is still pretty, Spouse is in Heaven, I still have the best looking house around.
Keitha
13 years ago
Some painted brick??? I love the look of a painted ranch.
Theresa Stone
13 years ago
have to agree with Sara Mabry...she indeed has the prettiest house around...
PRO
Carolyn Choi
13 years ago
I would keep the yellow brick and paint all the white trim, doors, garage, etc. with a sage green. Get rid of all the green bubble gum shrubs, remove sod and create a curving bed from the left of the house to the driveway. Fill with low-growing evergreens, ornamental grasses, perennials , annuals and boulders, with gravel as mulch. If there's room on each side of the house plant small blooming trees. Add a stepping stone path from the entrance to the driveway. Replace wrought iron columns with sturdy square ones and new wood railings on steps. If driveway is in sound condition have it stained a darker brown and scored into sections with a concrete saw.
PRO
Pebble Stone Coatings
13 years ago
Pebble Stone Coatings provides a great option to enhance the exterior of your home. By resurfacing your driveway, entrance, or any outdoor are with our natural pebble stone product, you will not only gain curb appeal but a great piece of mind as a customer. With a wide variety of designs and colors, any outdoor surface can be transformed.
Visit us at www.pebblestonecoatings.com for more ideas and information!
PRO
User
13 years ago
We can draw all the new modern changes for you in 2 D full color rendition . No more guess work.
Molly Sano
11 years ago
Would love to see an update if you've done any work so far! Facing some similar dilemmas with my mom's 70's ranch.
vik54
11 years ago
New foundation plantings--grasses, anything more natural-looking--would go a long way to ironing your home's curb appeal. Less grass would help too. I don't mind the brick--if you choose the right colored trim to complement it, it could work! I like the house!
Genie Moore
11 years ago
I understand why some people would say "paint the brick", but I'd change out the windows (a very good suggestion that you've already received), do new plantings, etc. Brick is almost no maintenance - until you paint it. And I think your brick is attractive in its own way.
jfield123
10 years ago
We painted our brick house 30 yrs ago and it has not been a maintenance chore. We do pressure wash the house once a year but we live in the south so everything has a tendency to get moldy with all the rain and humidity we have. We have to do the trim anyway so we just wash over the bricks too. We can do the house in a day or pay someone to do it.
decoenthusiaste
10 years ago
DEAD THREAD - 2013
Tammy Raab
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Thank you everyone for your opinions! Finally after all these years I am moving forward. (Had to purchase a new air conditioner, furnace, water heater and removal of 4 large ash trees due to the Emerald Ash Borer - all unexpected!)

I am getting a new roof this year (Oxford Grey) - all new gutters (white). I am still debating on painting the brick. But I think I am going to. I need to replace the wooden siding on the side peaks - to Twilight Shadow by Variform. And then the brick will be painted grey (next year.) Still wanting bigger windows as suggested. Replace the columns and tear out the landscaping. (Next year.) This house is not mine. (I wish!) But the color scheme is with the exception that the roof would be black/grey.
User
10 years ago
Lori Ford
3 years ago
What program are you using to visualize the plants etc