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jstephens72

Exterior Home Update

2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago

Good morning! We are in the process of updating our 1970's home with new siding, squared columns, shutters, walk-up changed to pavers, roof (porch only will be standing seam) and front patio flooring. We are 99% sure we'll paint the home in SW Shoji White. I am very visual and hoping someone might be able to chime in and offer suggestions. I've attached the home as it is today and a few renderings (first photo with shutters, square columns, and updated paint; second photo without shutters; third with standing seam roof).



Original Home



Rendering: Shoji White with Shutters in Urbane Bronze



Rendering: Shoji White without Shutters



Rendering: Shoji White with Shutters and Standing Seam Roof (over porch only)



Shoji White Color



Urbane Bronze Color (darker option for shutters)



Amazing Gray Color (lighter option for shutters)

The remaining decisions are:

  • Leave the shutters? Remove them altogether? Remove only the porch shutters?
  • If we choose Shoji White, what is a good color to consider for the shutters? We are leaning toward Urbane Bronze if we go darker, but we are also considering a softer tan color like Amazing Gray. Any advice on which would be a better option?
  • The front patio is currently red brick (which used to match the house). Is there a way to update this to a lighter color without removing the existing brick? Curious if you could slurry over it with concrete or something similar.
  • With the pavers, we will need to work around the tree in the front, so we are trying to decide on the best way to lay out the walk-up design.
  • Would you leave the garage color the same as the home or update to a darker color (ie. the color we ultimately use for the shutters).

If anyone has advice on the questions above, I welcome your input! Thank you in advance!

Comments (14)

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Have you had pavers with grass between like that? It’s an edging nightmare. If you have any type of runner grass you will regret it. It looks like you are trying to push the house much more modern, if so skip the shutters.

    Julie Waids thanked HALLETT & Co.
  • 2 years ago

    Shoji white with no shutter houses and wood clad square columns and light brown roofs:



    The Norfolk - Wichita, KS · More Info


    Front yard flagstone pathway and patio--so nice!

    Skagit Bay Waterfront, Camano Island WA · More Info


    Julie Waids thanked housegal200
  • 2 years ago

    Hallet is right. Don't leave grass between pavers if you're going that direction. Maybe just do simple pavers that lock together so you don't have to do edging.

    Julie Waids thanked housegal200
  • 2 years ago

    White is on the way out. Keep looking for a attractive color.

    Julie Waids thanked dan1888
  • 2 years ago

    Make sure you test the Urbane Bronze. When I tested it in my bright FL light, it looked like old dirty faded gray-brown! I went with a richer darker brown and will let nature fade it naturally!

    Julie Waids thanked chispa
  • 2 years ago

    What is the peculiar looking bed in the middle of the lawn on the left side with the dead looking trees? That certainly is not helping the look of the house.

    Julie Waids thanked laceyvail 6A, WV
  • 2 years ago

    Curious if anyone has experience using Benjamin Moore Gray Mist for an exterior paint.

  • 2 years ago



  • 2 years ago

    In looking at your rendering with the standing seam roof on the porch, it doesn’t look as good as the consistent roof across the whole building. So I wouldn’t go to the expense of changing the porch roof, if the whole roof needs to change keep as is or change the whole roof to standing seam.

    Equally, keeping the garage doors the color of the building will keep them from dominating. The highlight/contrast is in the shutters. Squaring out the columns is looking good in the renderings, and certainly gives your home an update.

  • PRO
    2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    No shutters they never belong on double windows. Keep the same roofing everywhere. The paver idea could work but not in acurve they need IMO to be straight on I do not see brick so not sure about that. I think a real white would be a much better choice Are you trying for a much more modern look?

  • 2 years ago

    Patricia, yes, we are hoping to update the home as much as possible knowing we have a fairly traditional home. Here’s a rendering of the home without shutters. It looks more modern, but I worry it looks too stark. We’re searching for the right white and leaning toward a soft white like Shoji White and there’s another home in our neighborhood that used BM Gray Mist, which is really nice. I’m exploring samples now. I’d love any advice you can offer on the front wall up, columns, 8 3/4” smooth siding, squaring off the landscaped area and bordering with metal edging, etc. Our windows are vinyl and they are a soft tan color, so curious if we need to try and match the window color or if it didn’t matter. Thank you in advance! I’ve attached the home as is to show you the difference.

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Am liking the updates except for the pavers. A landscape architect should be able to assist you with a better design for the entire front yard. Will also suggest that you consider adding a gable to your porch roof that that it clearly denotes the entry of the house. That will also help break up the long linear nature of your home. Good luck!

    Julie Waids thanked Norwood Architects
  • 2 years ago

    Agree that the pavers seem too random/casual. Maybe something like this picture.

    You have a fine home and it looks great with those fake shutters cleared off.



    Julie Waids thanked littlebug Zone 5 Missouri