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rachel_schaerr

Exterior ideas?

4 years ago

Looking for some advice for how to decorate the exterior of my DC row home. The front door isn’t visible from the front of the house, so looking for ideas to make the home look more balanced. Should I put a wreath on the center window to add some symmetry? Add planters on either side of the porch? I’d love any thoughts! Also toying with the idea of growing ivy below the small window/adding exterior trim or shutters to the second level.

Comments (6)

  • 4 years ago

    Your house is not symmetrical. That's okay, many houses aren't. Don't bother to try to create symmetry. It's a cute house, I'd ficys on landscaping

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    I’d focus on some smaller details…like the gutter color upstairs that cuts your house in half; changing the porch railing to something with more presence;and I’d also reconsider the house color, since your house is relatively simple looking (as in not many defining architectural details), I’d pick a color that had a little more umph. And I wouldn’t think twice about trying to add things to make up for the front door.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    I like your house! Afraid I have no long term suggestions but one quick minor fix. Your hanging baskets are not hanging, they are hugging the ceiling. I would lower the one on the right (will make watering easier too) and find another place for the one on the left if lowering it covers your house number.

  • 4 years ago

    How large do those foundation plants grow? They appear crammed up against the house. your house is not symmetrical so the plantings should aim for balance, not symmetry. A small airy tree on the right, out in the yard not against the house would break up the expanse of brick. The pyramid trees will look like soldiers at attention when they get bigger. Not a good look and also too close to the house.

  • 4 years ago

    What D M said.

    Evergreens as foundation plantings was a great idea, but the idea wasn’t executed very well. Study the MATURE sizes of what has been planted, and some may need to be placed elsewhere on the property after you see how big they will get. Then, pull everything that’s left at least 3’ away from the house.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    That concrete lattice design on your foundation is actually an attractive feature, I wouldn't try to hide it. And don't worry about the front door, it's obviously there . . .

    Your curb appeal is great, the house looks great. I'd focus on planting something in the front yard, something YOU would like to sit on the porch and look at, or something you would like to see every day when you come home from work. If it were me, I would plant a specimen flowering tree in the front yard. Dogwood is the classic, but I'm going to put the name of a little more exotic tree out there, the Seven Sons tree, scientific name Heptacodium miconioides. I used to work for a place that had three in front of the building entrance. It is a small tree/large shrub that blooms in the fall and the blooms smell great but after that the bark had interesting winter color and the flower bracts are also pretty after the petals fall off. It may be hard to come by though . . . anyway there are a gazillion options and maybe you don't want to bother mowing around a tree, but it also might be fun to have one so I'm just putting the idea out there. You could put out a bird bath and plant some low growing flowers around the tree and have a real nice view from the porch. Not necessary though.

    I have a star magnolia, flowering crabapple and dogwood in my front yard along my driveway. If one of them dies I am replacing it with the Seven Sons/Temple of Bloom tree, https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=k450

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