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tammy_lemon8

New construction: Exterior help and suggestions please

last year




I would welcome suggestions on which direction to go with the exterior of our new construction home. I am considering maybe gable end decor (not sure the correct name), shutters or not, trying to decide the color for the front door (it is unfinished now) and also color for the porch columns. The horizontal porch beam shown will be wrapped in black that isn't done yet. Advice appreciated! TIA!

Comments (16)

  • PRO
    last year

    Landscaping. Plant fast growing trees that will get big in front of the left side gable, and a couple on the right side too.

  • PRO
    last year

    Landscaping on all sides of the house.

  • last year

    For the door and sidelight surrounds, graphite is the base choice.

  • last year

    This is front of the house? Where is a walkway to the front door? How it looks when you accepted design? Something is off with all white space above windows on the right and left side.

  • last year


    Maybe add wood above windows in this design? Use sane wood in porch area.

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    sofikbr Yes this is the front of the house, we haven't got the sidewalk done yet. Yes I was thinking we need to add wood like this in both gable ends also,


    I realize that each gable end wood accent should be proportionate to the size of the gable, I wonder if there is some type of guidelines/ratio for this type of thing?

  • PRO
    last year

    Farmhouse style is a bit bare to begin with. Landscaping and selecting the right garage doors will help.




  • last year

    Agreed, here are our garage doors and we have yet to begin landscaping due to siding workers and such working around the exterior

  • last year

    Is that whole area on the left of the front elevation the garage?

    Do you just have much higher ceilings in there than the rest of the house?

    It is unfortunate that the architect/designer did not push them back and then do a stepped down room in front to minimize or camouflage the height and size of the garage.

    I would not add anything to the gable end ... it will just draw more attention to them and their large size.

    No shutters either because I don't think you have the room for correctly sized ones.


    Spend the money on landscaping and a wide sweeping walkway to the house, designed with brick or pavers. Use the walkway to anchor several planting beds.

  • last year

    yes it is and the garage is 14 ft sidewalls and the house 10 ft. Good point about adding to the gable end just drawing attention to it. I think as mentioned above some fast growing trees will help. We are going to put in a circle driveway and will place the trees accordingly afterwards.

  • last year

    suggestions for fast growing trees?

  • last year

    If you need advice on fast growing trees, seek professional help. Do you know what plants work in your area, what sun exposure is required, watering needs, growth/size, complementary plantings, how to plan and layout a landscape design with irrigation and lighting? A pro will know.

  • PRO
    last year

    what zone are you in? Mulberry trees grow fast (I have a fruitless one)

    but post this in landscape design to get more help.

    DigDoug should be able to draw something up for you.

  • last year

    I’m in the central time zone. That would be great if he would ❤️

  • last year

    Decorative elements may draw attention to the imbalanced massing of the house.
    Perhaps add a hay loft door in the big barn-like gable and a round window in the small one.
    I would avoid brown and black. Try some color.

  • last year

    What color would look good for the front door?