theres the green on a brighter day

Have you ever considered just slicing off all five of the arches and going for a totally new facade?

I think you have a very interesting house and some great options for changes. If you lighten up the brick and decide on wooden-look garage doors, I recommend you check out CHI Overhead doors in their woondtones series. Really nice realistic-looking wood grain.

I have thought about removing the arches but it does make it unique. i want to also respect the age of the home but bring it up to a new standard. 1980s home. also have the arch theme running theough the home

This is the arch theme inside

Really interesting home

I think the large arches on this house look out of place. I know it would be a big expense but squaring off all those arches and adding wood elements to the porch facade could update and relate to the upper windows a bit better.

I don't know if that is really green or if it's turquoise but I like the turquoise maybe you can paint it a lighter shade unless you really want to paint it say off-white color but I had Brown on my house and I think a little bit too much on the wood part above my brick is dark and I want to go lighter

I don't like painting brick it's a maintenance only inside brick

Wow i can now really see what squaring off would do! absolutely stunning

My pleasure. Always fun helping people “visualize” new opportunities! Lots of great options!

Happyleg. We don’t recommend painting brick but staining it. This allows brick to breathe.

I am looking at the palm trees and the black roof and wondering why not paint the roof. Think of the energy savings. It would probably pay for itself, especially if you have the high Southern California electric bills.

I am tiring of all the brick homes being painted/stained white. I would consider lightening, but I wouldn't go white for the house. I like Beth's suggestion of a light wash.

Love all the ideas posted. Just a thought, are the houses on both sides of you white? It might look odd to have 3 white (or light) houses in a row. I think leaving the brick and working with some of the other ideas might make the most sense.

https://romabio.com/yhl/

Romabio doesn't limit you to whites.

Flo, Romabio is a natural lime, not a paint. It also allows the brick to breathe. there is no maintenance with it other then a touch-up every 10-20 years. or you can let it naturally age .

Even the Masonry version (which gives a more opaque coverage) is lime.

I would urge everyone who thinks using this product is like 'paint', go to their website and read the specs on it. It's a mineral, not a latex paint product. completely different.

The days of painting brick w/exterior paint are gone. There is no need to do that any longer. Not w/these products on the market. and the Masonry Flat can be tinted any color. The Classico comes in about 8 shades.

Staining bricks is a lot more labor, which translates to more money. and if you wanted to go white, not sure staining could do that.

You could paint the roof the same color as your front door that you want pick your color but I'm not sure if I would have the garage doors the same color as the front door but it does unifying but can look like too many doors are the gate stand up might be a nice place if it's an outdoor area with the gates are to hang lantern lights or some kind of security bikes

What Beth posted is all the proper info. My posting was not as specific as Beth’s. But same concept.

Flo, can they stain white? haven't seen it. thought it was only darker colors.

I love your mock-up!

I'd do a mediterranean/xeriscape yard, full of succulents, bougainvillea, and terra cotta pots

Spanish Lavender, rocks for hardscape, fruitless olive trees.

copper and black accents, with terra cotta and succulents, always look nice.

all of these will enhance the arches and spanish look.

The garage doors should not be overlooked. They are front and center and very important to the overall look to the house. You can't cheap out on these or the lighting.

They do make a faux-wood garage door, just make sure to get the carriage hardware on it.

Really love the succulent idea! i think your tight with the garage doors. i have two white houses next to me. one is a complete new build and really white. other is 1980s white brick

I am going to replace the whole roof eventually. i only have 10 years left on the roof tiles as the salt eat everything! also going to add a tiled roof carport extension and replace the whole driveway. this is more a longer term goal. roof definately needs to be done

Do not try painting your roof. That would not work. If you decide to lighten brick, get a local company that specializes in this approach. You can control the amount of coverage you want. I think there is a YouTube video or so that demonstrates this process with Romabio products.

Go to their website to see examples.

Thank you thank you!!! ill check it out

Here is info on brick staining. You can Google it for more inspiration.

@Flo Mangan

@Beth H.

Out of curiosity I looked up brick staining and how long it lasts. I was under the impression that it would be permanent, but I keep finding 7-20 years depending on the quality of the stain, preparation and quality of the brick being stained. I couldn't find anything that describes or shows what happens to it as it ages. I do see that you can't stain brick that has been sealed, but also see that many recommend sealing after staining. Does this mean that when it fails you couldn't restain because it was sealed and are now stuck with a failing finish that can't be fixed?

Can you shed any light on this subject?

Kylie, as I suggested earlier, I would contact a local professional who does work with brick and isn’t pushing a single choice and get on site look at your house and go thru all your questions. Always good to do. Your home is large so a pro in this arena is advisable. We can make suggestions, but we can’t assess your specific brick from the Internet.

jennifer, I don't know anything about the staining.

i know w/the romabio, lime product, it naturally patinas w/age. there is no sealing. 10-20 years is also what they say w/no maintenance. After 10-15 years, you could do another 'wash' on it if you prefer, or continue to let it naturally wear. (think Used Brick type of look)

Authentic, Italian slaked lime products (cooked active lime stored in water for 2 years, thus becoming inactive lime) will carbonize with mineral surfaces and create a mineral bond that will continue to harden for decades. Romabio Classico Limewash, applied as an antique finish, will be affected by natural environmental weathering when exposed to the elements. The durability and longevity of every situation is unknown, but it is usually around 10-20 years before needing to be repainted.

https://romabio.com/debunking-some-of-the-myths-about-lime-wash/

As I said earlier, w/the Classico, you can try a sample on a small portion to see how you like it. if you don't, you can hose it off within 4-5 days. completely. they sell it in small sample jars.

The good thing about this product is it's relatively cheap (250 for 5 gallons, I think) and only one coat is needed. Probably cheaper than painting a house.

(the Masonry Flat is not washable, so that one you can't sample)

With the Masonry Lime application, that one is heavier, for a more opaque coverage. I would assume that being it's also lime, it's going to naturally wear.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Masonry Flat is a high-performing, mineral masonry paint made for extreme durability for the interior or exterior. A beautiful, permanent flat finish that is naturally mold resistant, toxin-free, and environmentally friendly. Mineral paints are breathable and calcify to the masonry surface allowing moisture to release creating a longer lasting finish with low maintenance.

• Ideal for brick, stone, stucco, and cementitious siding
• Will not chip, peel or flake off
• 20 Year warranty, if applied properly
• 2 coats, no additional primer for unpainted, absorbent masonry
• Pressure wash and paint on the same day as masonry surfaces must be dampen

https://romabio.com/masonryflat/

Staining, I have no idea about the process or the labor prices.

Kylie-I think the first decision you need to make is if you are going to square up the arches. That is a very expensive project and might have some structural challenges as well. Not that the brick is structural but what’s under it? So much more due diligence is required on that decision first. If you leave the arches then the Romabio brick treatment is worth a hard look. It is the least risky and there seems to be a lot of customer experience with the product. And I know others here have used it successfully. It’s hard to decide and since you already have ongoing inside changes I hope you take your time. Get your interiors under control. Get your outside cleaned up and go from there. Good luck. Huge undertaking.

Chiming in to say that I love your bathroom too. The tile work is done so well. I agree with updating it with the vanity.

Thank you so much giys so many options to think about! love all the fabulous ideas and definately do allot more research in this area

As for me, this weird shade of green and the metal gates are the main reason. The first thing I'd do is changing the gates with bright wooden ones

I do like the natural light in that area. im thinking remove completely and square

If you square up the arches, you definitely open up the area behind them for more light. I agree the lime wash is a great idea for your house, plus wood garage doors and a dark grey roof. If you keep the arches, the idea that you can change the color of the metal gates is intriguing.
You need to first decide the big changes and then proceed.
I am a lover of green but that bathroom makes me cringe. It’s beyond overwhelming and the shades of green are odd. I would be removing all of it, even if I were to add back green elements (forest green tiles, or emerald or a teal-green maybe). I am also a fan of maintaining historic elements but I’d be hard pressed to live with the green bathroom.
Your house IS unique. Loving the unique elements but making them work for you is challenging but there are so many great ideas here!

can you image going to the tile shop picking out a bright green mosaic tile and then picking out a dark green tile putting them together and thinking its a perfect match? then using feature tiles with white flowers to tie it in together.

talking to my husband and he love the dark bricks because we have exposed dark bricks inside- more arches. inside arches are stunning. He also loves the outside arches because it part of that era. so i might start with the basics first and trying and think about the green and see if another colour or shade would be more appropriate.

I completely see where you're coming from, Kylie, (and your husband too) in not wanting to destroy the exterior arches. If you remove the metalwork grates and doors (save them all in your garage -- just in case) to open up the entryway, and then brighten the interior of the entrance with lights and new doors -- that would be a good start in making it look less like a fortress. Also, some simple weatherproof wood-look garage doors and exterior lighting and new landscaping will help. And think about the roof -- that black roof makes the whole thing look dark and heavy. The busy pattern of the roof tiles also clashes with the brick pattern. If you want the brick to be the star, then get rid of the other clashing patterned elements -- the roof and the grates and the garage doors. As for the green bathroom -- I think the tile work is terrific and I would sure think twice before I destroyed it. Good luck! Let us see your progress.

what colour roof would you suggest. roof has to be replaced completely within 10years as the salt has started eatting away at it. need to use a better material for the roof.

Is lime washing the brick an option, or is your husband against doing that on the outside? Keeping the arches outside because they are a unique feature inside makes perfect sense. The color of your new roof is dependent upon what you plan to do with the brick.

You could talk with a trusted roofer in your area and see what s/he recommends. Out here in California, flat tile roofs are very popular because of their longevity and resistance to fire. I found this picture that has a nice combination of brick house with arches and gray clay slate roof. Even a plain composition shingle roof would look better than the black rippled roof.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/310044755566568822/

The dark window trim on that house is also nice.

My husband is totally against the linewash and loves the dark bricks. he said i can touch the roof and paint colour lol

Your husband is a very wise man, and has good taste. I also appreciate the taste and style of the former owners; and I appreciate how they honored the house.

Nothing wrong with green.

Your house is a unique house. There are TONS of cookie cutter houses out there, and more being created, 24/7 - with new builds and also with ”renovations”...

Personally, I will never understand the, “Let’s just paint or whitewash/lime wash all the brick!” mentality. But I come from a place where features such as brick have value, and these type of alterations are just not generally done as a matter of course.

For example: Where I am from, when considering the building facade, alone - the brick house in above pic would have so much more value than the white house pictured to the right of it. No contest.

Also note the arch detail on the above house; i.e. the arches on ground level, and on second story windows.

And, btw, there is zero wrong with the existing arches on your house. They are part and parcel of the uniqueness and style of your house.

It would sort of be akin to acquiring the brick house shown above or this house pictured below - and then showing up here to say, ”I like the house - but the arch(es) are not ‘modern‘ enough.” Or, ”There would be more symmetry without the arch(es)” etc. I mean ???

Your house is another house. Your house also features more arches than these houses; but that is really the charm of your house!

If it were my place, I would probably do a light grey (in silver grey range) - or maybe a sage - on the garage doors and on gating if keeping it; and primarily focus on landscaping + lighting on the house and grounds - and that’s it! :)

And I think my preference would be the light silver greys. Works well with the roof and brick, etc.

ETA: I might just leave the existing green gate work, as is - or do that in the sage or a light blue; and I personally like the idea of a Tiffany blue for the front door.

So I would do the garage doors and gate work in the light grey with either a red or Tiffany blue for front door. Or - the grey garage doors with a light blue or sage on gating and front door - or some combination along those lines.

What about this colour?

Also these colours- does purple suits? not sure

The colors from @freedomplace look like great options. It’s worth getting samples of these to see if you like them. Their soft tonal quality could enhance the brick nicely.
For the roof, I would do a medium gray shingle to make it easier to change all the colors we are debating right now. Or a charcoal grey shingle. Either will be less of an issue than the current one.
Not a fan of the purple door idea. The door color might be your last decision.

You could use purple for the front door with the existing brick.

Here is your current door, with the color from the first door you posted:

You could trim the door in black or grey or white/off-white.

Or you could just match the shade of the door for the door trim, too.

And with that, since you are not so interested in keeping the current green - you could do the light grey on garage doors and on gate work.

I think i really like the purple door! it looks beautiful thankyou.

Romabio masonry flat in avoria white with black wrought iron.

Kylie, you’re welcome; my pleasure. :)

Here’s an interesting article about front doors and purple.

https://www.homedit.com/cool-purple-color-front-door-ideas/purple-front-door-design-ideas3/

A couple of pics from the article: