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doreendiego50

What do I do with this house?

18 days ago

Hi, if there are any designers out there, could you please help me decide what to do with this house. I like a very classy clean look, but I don't want to cheapen this house, by any means. If you can envision this differently, please, please help or show me

Comments (23)

  • 18 days ago

    you need pictures

  • 18 days ago


  • 17 days ago

    Someone went a bit assorted with brick choices didn't they. The over all affect is very nice. How long have you lived in this home? Perhaps you just need to settle in as it is very attractive over all. Try and not zero in on the variety.

  • PRO
    17 days ago

    I have seen worse but you need to tell us what it is you dislike .For me the shutters and those tile planters would be the first things to go and when time comes to replace windows no grids.

  • 17 days ago

    For me personally, I would remove the shutters...they are dark and do not add anything to the appearance in my opinion. Second, I think the brick border around the front trees is a little much and would work to remove that. Save the trees of course but I think removing the brick would be an improvement. After that re-evaluate. I also like flowering bushes or pots with flowers to add pops of color but it is hard to see if you have space on the porch for pots.

  • 17 days ago
    last modified: 17 days ago

    What is the purpose of the dark brown highlights above the windows? I’d do away with those. (The similar highlight in the house’s peak looks fine.)

    The shutters look cheap and a teensy bit narrow for your windows.

    I do not care for any of the raised brick borders. Someone got carried away for sure. Your house is stone and I’m not sure why brick was introduced here. I would completely remove the raised beds around the trees and maybe at least one of the trees too. A picture taken from further back would help us see if you have too many trees.

    What I can see of the planting beds looks like it was a classy bed at one time but it’s now leaning towards untidy and overgrown. And the sidewalk looks super narrow. A wide sweeping sidewalk is much more attractive.

  • 17 days ago

    I like the brick, and dont mind the shutters, but, I dont like the black above the windows. The house is a nice looking house though, and I would just leave it alone.

  • 17 days ago
    last modified: 17 days ago

    Another idea is to soften the landscape. Ai made the beds bigger than they are, but just replacing some of the older shrubs with newer plants that don't have such a rigid shape will help refresh the landscaping.


  • 17 days ago

    Please add some background info. Are you selling? Have you just moved in or have you been there a while?

  • 17 days ago

    You could remove all the current siding and replace with just one material ... brick, stucco or clapboard siding.

  • 17 days ago
    last modified: 17 days ago

    Depends on what you are not quite happy with and your budget.

    Easy: I’d remove the shutters and paint the brown pieces a light color that fades into the stone as you want the focus going to the front door.


    Big impact: I think this area might have lots of potential (can you show a close up). Note wood ceiling below, which could be stunning.




    Biggest impact/more expensive would be adding a curved walkway and even landscaping improvement down the road.


    Not the right shape/placement, but hope it helps you imagine.


    Combined, you’ll achieve the classic, clean look you’re after and a bit more character.

  • 17 days ago

    Your house seems like a lovely, generous house with two competing styles, both ranch and federal / colonial styles, based on the keystones above the windows and the shutters. IMHO: I'd pick a style, maybe downplay the federal by removing the shutters and not highlight keystones as others have suggested. Play up the light stone fascade and the ranch style---it's an inviting and less formal effect.

  • 17 days ago

    I've suggested to OP in a comment on the other post that it be deleted + to add the photos in the other post over on this one. The other post only has one comment. It would be better to have everything in one place.

  • 17 days ago

    The mason got carried away with the Dark Brown Brick accents. Three different stones all in one space is overwhelming.

    although I have never been a fan of painting brick, this may be the exception.

    I would unify the color and remove the shutters. Have you tried using a visualizer and see if you'd like a whole house color?

  • 17 days ago
    last modified: 17 days ago

    Here’s one of the OP’s photos from her other post. This picture is very helpful; after seeing this, I’d recommend completely removing the island beds AND the small trees within. The trees are poorly placed and will grow to completely hide the house.

    Then, use that vacated space to add a gracious and wide stone walkway from the driveway to the front door.



  • 17 days ago

    Hi all. I am so new to this so forgive me if I was not thorough enough. I have lived in the home 5 years. It is in the North DFW area. I added the trees and rings, because it is a 1/2 acre lot and it looked so bare. My husband and son love the house because of the detached garage. Although I like classy old world styles, I also love clean lines, character, and great curb appeal. The house is 2700 sf, all hardwood with large windows and decorated pottery barn style. The neighborhood is great and spacious. I'm originally from New England and love colonial elegant homes with character, but I'm also lived and was raised in Northern California. I'm 65 and on the fence as to whether I sell and move - which my husband and son don't want - or try to make this house on the outside be something I love. I am so thankful for all of you.

  • 17 days ago

    It’s a nice house.


    I would have no problem with the house exterior. But, of course, it is not my house.


    I would get a wooden garage door, remove the shutters, and focus on landscaping and lighting.




    This is just one view. There are many ways that you can go with landscaping, lighting, etc.; professional guidance on that could possibly be money well-spent.

  • 16 days ago

    Half acre yard? Well you have plenty of room for trees in your front yard. There’s no reason to plant them right next to the house. Here’s a conceptual Instagram pic with a tree way forward in the yard, a slim tree framing the house at the house corner, and a charming wide, sweeping sidewalk. (Obviously your sidewalk should go to the left toward your driveway and garage.)

    Lots of potential for your property.


  • 16 days ago
    last modified: 16 days ago

    Thanks for info. Since you've been here five years, you have a good idea how you'd like to make some changes. The house exterior is not going to look like a traditional New England house, but it could look more unified with the off white limestone colors replacing the dark bricks. Someone already painted part of the front porch pillar to match the limestone (photo on your other post). As others pointed out above, you could simply paint the rest of the bricks to match the limestone, too. Try out the look with some white paper towels taped over the windows' keystone bricks, or just use beige masking tape.

    If this photo from your ideabook was chosen for the soft blue green shutter color, you could try it out with some sample paint on foamcore board cut to the same size as the shutters.


    Exterior | trellis · More Info


  • 12 days ago
    last modified: 12 days ago

    You love the neighborhood, you lucked out. why move into an unknown situation? The grass is always greener. How much time do you really spend looking at the house from the curb anyway?


  • 12 days ago

    Btw I love the house and yard. I would paint the brick as suggested, use Romabio made for brick and masonry.