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jan_mccollough

Help with exterior update for 70s orange/brown brick ranch.

3 years ago

It's time to update the trim and replace guttering/downspouts, etc! I am struggling with colors that complement the brick Roof was replaced a couple years ago and is of architectural design with light and medium shades of gra... I have included (front bottom up, sorry, that's the way they loaded.) A street view so garage door can be seen, it's a light creamy gray (close to the color of the grout on house).. Next up is up close view of entry way which is in the corner of the L shaped house. Then, view of section that sets closest to the road so you can see the limestone corners which are on each corner around the entire house. Last picture is of the side which shows the surround deck. The deck is old and will be torn down within the next couple of years and replaced with 3 season room but for now it's stained a dark cocoa brown. We are also replacing the casement windows and front door/window combo so any comments for those are also welcome and appreciated.


Here's my struggle, I really don't like the orange in the brick. That's why we went with the dark forest green last time. I'm tired of the green but afraid to make a change and it be worse! Please help with

ALL suggestions possible! If it makes a difference, we live in IN so have all 4 seasons of weather.

Exterior updates, gutters, soffit, trim and front door · More Info


Exterior updates, gutters, soffit, trim and front door · More Info


Exterior updates, gutters, soffit, trim and front door · More Info


Exterior updates, gutters, soffit, trim and front door · More Info


Comments (21)

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    I like the color you have now.



    jan mccollough thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • 3 years ago

    I like what you have now too. It looks good with both your brick and your roof.

    jan mccollough thanked cat_ky
  • 3 years ago

    What you have looks fine but if you’re looking for a change you might consider a medium charcoal grey color.

    jan mccollough thanked Emily
  • 3 years ago

    Your brick looks nice, as does the trim.


    I'd focus on updating the landscaping. The four bushes look overgrown, and don't complement the horizontal lines of your home. Is that a flower box on the front? Perhaps something more updated there would enhance your entrance.


    A landscape designer might be all you need!

    jan mccollough thanked latifolia
  • 3 years ago

    Sorry, but yeah, I like the green too and think if you’re itching to change things, I’d focus on landscaping first and see if that will lessen your dislike of the current colors. (But obviously repair/replace gutters, etc and things that are actually broken)

    jan mccollough thanked Donald
  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Your answers are making me rethink the current color! Would changing the front door color be an option or should it stay the same as the gutter, trim etc. Regarding the landscaping...this is what Indiana looks like in February. The large area in front of the entrance is a flower bed with perennials, black eyed susans, daylilies, shasta daisies, lavender and a miniature lilac bush. When it's in bloom it fills the area with color but then there are the bushes. I agree they need to go or be reshaped and smaller. Thoughts on that? I think removing them would make the front of the house very stark.

  • 3 years ago

    Jan, I wouldn't remove the shrubs. It sounds like in the spring and summer the beds are beautiful with the flowers, which make them less out of place I imagine.


    I agree with everyone, your colors are great. I would take the storm door off, and paint the garage the same color as the door. Update your lighting and maybe get some modern house numbers. Pretty house!

    jan mccollough thanked M S
  • 3 years ago

    On the shrubs, take out two? Leave two in front of the windows if you like the privacy. Yes to pruning — maybe even ‘hard prune’ the two in front of the brick sections?

    jan mccollough thanked N Johnson
  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    I like the color you have now and would paint the garage door that as well. Your brick is great. Turn your attention and budget to getting great landscaping with deeper beds. You can get advice and plans from a small gardening center.


    I like the landscaping on this house, which resembles yours--deep dark bed curving out, mix of tall and low plantings, small tree, and a great rock that echoes cornerstones on the house. Do that!



  • 3 years ago

    Loving the landscape suggestions! Definitely pruning the shrubs in front, may consider removing one. I will talk to my landscape guys. The garage door is only a few years old but previous one was dark green and I thought it looked like a big hole! LOL! So...what about painting the door and side windows (it's all one unit ) the same color as the garage door? Husband built and installed flower box so will want to keep that. In summer it has white impatiens in the box and dark purple salvia below which look lovely. I wouldn't mind losing screen door but this is the north side of house so we get lots of rain and snow some months. Wouldn't that ruin an exposed front door? So appreciate all the comments and suggestions, please keep them coming.

  • 3 years ago

    The darker green was probably too dark. If you do change trim, do a grayish green.


    I wouldn't go lighter like the garage on the trim. Your current garage door is too light. You can repaint it.

  • PRO
    3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Some option


    jan mccollough thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
  • PRO
  • 3 years ago

    Celery, I like that color! What is it? Just met with guttering company rep. He showed me their samples and only green available was an evergreen which seems much brighter of a green than I want....I love the color you show in the photo though!

  • PRO
    3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Jade Dragon SW is close color and more muted laurel Leaf Behr



  • PRO
    3 years ago

    The white garage door needs to be painted! that white doesn't work w/anything.

    If you like the softer sage tones, go w/those.

    or, go for a warmer charcoal






    how about some blues?







    this is more of an orange brick. it does have siding though.

    are you interested in adding board and batten?


    If you hate the brick, look in Romabio. they have a limewash,


    or a heavier masonry coat. it's all natural. very low maintenance



  • 3 years ago

    Here's one somewhat like yours with green trim:

    jan mccollough thanked housegal200
  • 3 years ago

    Celery, I like both the Jade Dragon which I think might be my favorite as well as the Laurel Leaf. Either is better than the darker green that we have. I am running into a problem with a guttering since it only comes in a shade called Evergreen. I plan to get a sample of it to see how different it would be from the two colors you mention. I'm not sure about painting the garage door. Is not actually white it is the same color as the grout on the brick. What do you think?

  • 3 years ago

    If copper gutters are in your budget, they will weather to a lovely verdigris.

  • PRO
    3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    the gutters would look so much better in a copper color, especially w/that Jade color.

    anyway you can get them painted (or don't know if you're getting new ones)

    you could do the bronze/copper, or a brighter copper, address numbers and copper window boxes





    (You can order copper sheeting and make these yourself. or just paint a copper color. but the real stuff patinas w/time. I have a roll of super thin real copper. it's not difficult to work with)

    for the front door, I'd do the jade color, or even a lighter jade.

    If you don't want green on the trim, How about one of these Bronze colors? for the garage door I think any of the 3 would look nice









    some other color palettes