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yolandaalaniz

Help! exterior issues

3 years ago

Hello,

I want to update my house and need any advice I can get in order to make some improvements. I will be taking down the half wall on each side of my house. I need some advice on what to do with the left side on the house. I am trying to avoid putting in some windows because thru the inside there are closet. I do want to improve the curb appeal, so any advice will be appreciated.



Comments (12)

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    Remove the fence. Landscape.

  • 3 years ago

    I'd plant a small, flowering tree in the yard aligned with the blank space on the wall. Then, I'd add some foundation shrubs. If you like to garden, add flowers in front of your fence.


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  • 3 years ago

    I wouldn't remove the half walls. They look nice. There's nothing outdated looking about your house. If the fence needs mending do that or remove it if you don't like it, but I would simply plant flowers all along the base of it if it is good shape.


    Not knowing what your climate is it is very hard to make other suggestions. Also it's not clear which directrion your house faces (hot sun or just morning sun?) Something I've always wanted but never had a house it was right for is an espalier for a pear tree (or other fruit), You can train them right up agaisnt a house wall.



    https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gallery/2011/nov/25/trained-fruit-in-pictures


    Climbing roses would also look nice, at the house and on the fence. But you need the right climate and an interest in gardening. If you don't have that (it's okay!) look at what you can do to sow wildflowers into your lawn.

  • 3 years ago



  • 3 years ago

    Leave the right half wall if you want, but you should definitely get rid of the left half wall (I'd get rid of both). Since you don't want to put windows where the blank wall is, what about planting a nice tree? Get rid of the fence (or at least get rid of the part that runs along the driveway), and build a walk-out garden area with a fountain around the front door area.

  • 3 years ago

    Do you use the front yard? If so, how? It looks hard to access. I would remove the house and the half wall blocking the front entry. Some foundation plants and a small ornamental tree will add interest.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    I don't see any reason to remove the half walls. They make your home appear larger than it actually is.


    I'd reduce the size or remove the front fence




  • 3 years ago

    I would get a professional landscape/ hardscape plan. The driveway surface appears to need work and possibly some color or interest could be added to the door/ entrance. Maybe add a lamppost or contrasting shutter color?

  • 3 years ago

    Remove the fence and half wall. Not the house.🙂

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    No reason to take down the half walls, money better spent on some nice landscaping. I like mytwo cents’ idea of an espalier across the larger expanse. My neighbor has an ornamental pear espalier across hers. It’s beautiful, white blooms spring , green through summer & beautiful red, orange orange, purple leaves in fall.

    Btw, from the looks of the half wall near your front entry it appears that you could do a nice courtyard look there? I don’t think it ”blocks” your front entry.

  • 3 years ago

    Here are a few suggestions and a mockup...


    I agree with you in removing the kneewalls on the sides. They are a relic of past styles, and are generally getting in the way of a nice refresh to your otherwise pleasing home. It would be an inexpensive improvement that might take a few man-hours to do , but the result would make a huge improvement.


    The left side of the house is another problem spot, but I don't think you need to put in windows, especially if they don't make sense from the inside. What I do think you could do is to apply Ipe shiplap siding to the lefthand side...almost a color block of wood texture. Mordern house numbers would enhance the look further. Again, this wouldn't cost much and would be a few hours of work.


    I am not sure of the state of you garage door, but to match the new look, you could replace or dress the garage door to match and then add modern lighting on either side.


    The wood on the new siding and garage door enhances the little bit of wood on the shutters, warms up the facade, and helps it not to feel so stark against its backdrop.


    A nice zinc planter and a good amount of landscaping would help to soften the look and fill in more of that left side.


    Finally, removing the fence would greatly update the house and make it feel more welcoming. Planting a coupld of trees closer to the bouldevard would help your property feel more established over time and add a bit of framing to your house visual from the street.


    Here is how it could look...