Help from a designer or architect on external facade updates?

3 years ago

Hi All,

I recently completed a pretty massive hardscape project at my home. The house is on a lake and sits on a hill. When built, the hill wasn't properly supported and was slowly sinking, causing the house to sink as well. To resolve, we had to build a very large wall to support the hill and house.

I am now at the point in the project where I want to update the house exterior to blend/compliment the hardscape. The house is in yellow and green vinyl, which we always wanted to update.

Here are some pictures from the lake side of the house. The wall is limestone, the patio is dark gray unilock pavers, and the railing is white aluminum with glass slats - these all will not change. Also note, we plan to build a shed at beach level (bottom around where there's a blue boat) on the left side to break up the wall and also add storage - we'd like to use the same exterior material as what we put on the house to make it all match and compliment. We also need to wrap the steel support poles, steel beam, and under-side of the top porch with some material.

And here is a picture from the street/driveway side. Open to any/all ideas here, including changes to siding, doors, architectural elements, as it is not very appealing now.

Thank you in advance for any ideas or thoughts!

Featured Answer

simplynatural

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Regarding the street side, it's not clear to me where the entrance is. Is it the door we see next to the garage, which looks like it just goes into the garage, or should visitors climb the stairs to an entry door that we can't see? Whichever it is, the entrance should be emphasized. Something like this, perhaps, if it's the stairs? (Something completely different if it's the door by the garage!)

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Comments (7)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
3 years ago
I'd select some plants to soften the appearance of the retention wall. It's brutal!
Elaine Doremus Resumes Written
3 years ago
I'd get an architect. Your home is probably your largest asset, and the exterior says a lot about your home.
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kandrewspa
3 years ago
I like the blue-gray on the gables. If you know what it is I would do the siding in about two shades lighter. Or a light to medium gray would be nice too. The front facade is unfortunate. If you can't add more windows on the second story because of the configuration inside you have quite a challenge there. Three across would be an improvement. A nicer front door would help. After you decide what color to do the siding you can think about the direction to go with on the garage door.
Sigrid
3 years ago
Your streestreet facing view desperately needs greenery, Do you need all that concrete? I second the idea of vines on the stone wall.
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
3 years ago
J
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you all! Does anyone have experience with the company Brick & Batten? I came across them on a search and looks like they do this kind of thing.

Ultimatley, I want to replace the siding, garage door and entry door next to the garage. The "front door" is actually up the stairs on the side of the house, but not visible in any pictures. I also know there are a lot of funky things on the garage side of the house - too much cement, lop-sided roofline, small window, etc. I'm hoping to add/change design elements to help improve these.