skip to main content

Building a Home

Please help - what would look good here?

16 years ago

This is not our home, but the same plan. When you drive up on our house our garage will be the first thing you see, so we want to do SOMETHING with it... What would you suggest? Cultured Stone somewhere?

Here's a finished house

and here's our actual house:

Thank you!!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

tinker_2006
16 years ago

I LOVE carriage house garage doors. I would do something really nice with the
trim and add carriage house doors

{{gwi:1397203}}

{{gwi:1397206}}

{{gwi:1397207}}
jenanla
16 years ago
I think the 2nd door that tinker posted would look great.
Jenn
Related Discussions
Would a picket fence look good here?
Q
Comments (35)
Don't despair just yet. I checked a fact sheet from Rutgers (NJ) Cooperative Extension, "Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance" and this is just a fraction of the plants listed: Annuals rarely damaged: Snapdragon, angel's trumpet, dusty miller, cleome, larkspur, snow-on-the-mountain, heliotrope, sweet alyssum, forget-me-not, nicotiana, poppy Biennials: Common foxglove (digitalis purpurea) is rarely damaged; seldom severely damaged are sweet william, money plant and forget-me-not. Bulbs rarely damaged: Allium, bluebell, snowdrops, daffodil. All ferns seem to be rarely damaged. Groundcovers rarely damaged: Lily of the Valley, sweet woodruff, others Lots of ornamental grasses are listed as rarely damaged. Perennials rarely damaged: Monkshood, anise hyssop, wild and European gingers, purple rock-cress, baptisia, threadleaf coreopsis, corydalis, bleeding hearts dicentra eximia and d. spectabilis, hellebores, dame's rocket, iris, lavendar, statice, rose campion, forget-me-not, peony, Russian sage, pulmonaria, garden sage, lavender cotton, lamb's ear ... And a whole long list of others seldom severely damaged. Shrubs rarely damaged: Heather and heath, daphne, caryopteris, broom, pieris ... and a long list of more seldom severely damaged. Vines seldom severely damaged: American bittersweet, winter jasmine and wisteria. That's just a taste; there are six pages in all! Below is a link to the Rutgers site for this publication; you might find it easier to download and refer to the PDF version, as the plants are grouped a little more clearly. Latin names are provided as well. As others have said, your house has wonderful bones and Linda did a great job with Photoshop. What fun it will be (as well as hard work) to make your dreams for your home and yard a reality. FYI, at the front of our house I did create a little garden similar to the one you originally proposed. It is between the driveway and the front door, southern exposure, and was to be my "winter garden" ... but then we built a pond in the back yard and now we seem to gravitate there no matter what the season. It's still a lovely, welcoming spot, though. Please do keep us posted ... I'll be looking foward to seeing some updated photos when you're ready. Here is a link that might be useful: Plants Rated by Deer Resistance
...See More
What climbing rose bush would look good here, zone 5?
Q
Comments (32)
My ND rose is doing ok, it has sent out a few really long stems..I’d say about 5’ -6’ long...but only like 3 of them so far...I put it in a place next to my ugly chain link fence so it could get as big as it likes because the more it hides that fence the better...this will be it’s 2nd full year in the new spot, so I’m sure I’ll see more growth from it this year...as far as that area...idk if I’m going to put any roses there...ideally I’d love to, but we already have a ton of bees near the pool and I think putting more flowers will just bring even more...I love bees don’t get me wrong, but I don’t love them buzzing around my head when I’m trying to relax by the pool...and my yard seems to have all the aggressive types..so not only cute little bumblebees..I have those huge black and white hornets, yellow jackets, and these tiny little black ones that sting like a b***h!! So I more want to discourage them there, than encourage them lol...which stinks because it’s a perfect area for a nice climber :’(
...See More
Look at my plans. What's good? Not so good? Where to go from here?
Q
Comments (41)
RappArchitecture - Thanks for commenting. I've made some changes to the layout since the original post. You can see the latest floor plan in my comment posted yesterday. I think the changes I've made address most of your comments. Take a look at the revised floor plan and let me know what you think. I'm still struggling with the kitchen layout and where the appliances should go. Other commenters have made similar suggestions to yours about the master suite but there's a few things keeping me from making changes to that space. One being that my wife especially loves taking baths and I located the bath tub to have a great view of the mountains to the east (foot end of the tub). The window along the north side of the tub offers views into the forest and is a very private part of our property so we won't need to draw the window shade. I aligned the door between the bath area and bed area to be centered with the bed and that window will be a focal point from the bed. We will get some light from that direction too. The space at the foot of the bed is reserved for an area that my wife can use when doing yoga and the big window looks towards our mountain view. Maybe we could have a small window up high next to the bed on the south wall for a little extra light that wouldn't intrude on privacy? Maybe we should also sound proof the wall at the head of the bed since it will share a wall with the kitchen? We will have the TV upstairs in the bonus room.
...See More
What light would look good here???
Q
Comments (12)
get the table first if you get one similar to this one in the pic, that matches your cabinets, and do a diff chair (s) you could do something like this pendant this pic has similar floor tile to yours. table leans more on the red side like your cabs. the rattan chairs work well.
...See More
kelntx
16 years ago
I agree I really the second doors!!!
emilynewhome
16 years ago
I agree with jazzing up the garage door, also in your first photo of similar home you'll notice placement of tree which I think helps block out some of the large view of the siding, especially coming from that direction!
Flowerchild
16 years ago
You might consider putting in a pergola or arched type entrance going into the front walk area with a fence or lattice on each side, just to separate the garage/parking area from the front entrance.
liptonjl
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks! I love those pics! Our builder has already said we can order plain garage doors and just put the hardware for carriage doors on them - But do you think windows are a definite? He recommends we do not get windows on the garage doors.

Also, we're going to have a single door - any ideas on how to break it up? Or pics?

Thank you :)
bellesouth
16 years ago
Gosh, I think the windows in the garage doors would break up all the solid stuff there. Do you know why he recommended against windows?
amyks
16 years ago
My DH is very much against windows in a garage door as well. He doesn't like the idea of anyone looking in and seeing if we are home.

Amy
oruboris
16 years ago
I'm a symetriholic, so I'd try like heck to get the windows up above to match.

Your's look like they'll be much nicer in that regard than the ones on the finished house which are-- strictly subjective, don't mean to hurt anyones feelings-- just awful.

Still, a chain of three matching windows in that space would be much nicer [if its at all possible] than an unmatched pair.

I'd also want to add something to that huge blank space above the second floor windows-- another smaller window would be best, but if that space is sealed off [not storage where a little light is always welcome], a piece of outdoor metal sculpture or something similar would help.
mightyanvil
16 years ago
A nice garage door can help but it won't solve your biggest problem: the big blank face of the house that contains the garage door. It appears the house was designed only to be attractive from the front and not from the side. I think this is a much bigger problem than the appearance of the garage door. I would improve the window layout on that wall (why no shutters?) and perhaps add a small projecting shed roof over the garage door. It could extend and become part of some other element like a porch or rear entry... anything to break up the tall wall. I would also add a short length of fence, arbor, wall, etc. with planting at the walkway so the view to the garage door from the street is partially blocked.

Related Stories

STUDIOS AND WORKSHOPS Your Space Can Help You Get Down to Work. Here's How

By Laura Gaskill

Feed your creativity and reduce distractions with the right work surfaces, the right chair, and a good balance of sights and sounds

Help Me Design My Wine Cellar - Please!

KITCHEN DESIGN Here's Help for Your Next Appliance Shopping Trip

By Vanessa Brunner

It may be time to think about your appliances in a new way. These guides can help you set up your kitchen for how you like to cook

PETS How to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor

By Alison Hodgson

Good fences certainly help, but be sure to introduce your pup to the neighbors and check in from time to time

LIFE Relocating? Here’s How to Make Moving In a Breeze

By Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

Moving guide, Part 2: Helpful tips for unpacking, organizing and setting up your new home

SPRING GARDENING Spring Gardens Are Waking — Here’s What to Do in March

By Annie Thornton

Excitement fills the air when gardens come back to life. These guides will help you make the most of yours

SPRING GARDENING Enjoy the Peak of Spring Gardening — Here’s What to Do in May

By Annie Thornton

Bid the frost farewell and treasure the blooms. No matter what U.S. region you’re in, one of these guides will help your garden flourish

MOVING Relocating? Here’s How to Make the Big Move Better

By Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

Moving guide, Part 1: How to organize your stuff and your life for an easier household move

KITCHEN CABINETS Choosing New Cabinets? Here’s What to Know Before You Shop

By Ventana Construction LLC

Get the scoop on kitchen and bathroom cabinet materials and construction methods to understand your options

HOME OFFICES Quiet, Please! How to Cut Noise Pollution at Home

By Christine Ciarmello

Leaf blowers, trucks or noisy neighbors driving you berserk? These sound-reduction strategies can help you hush things up

Sponsored

More Discussions

What splurges in square footage do you love about your home?

19

Is this payment schedule OK?

5

Which quality is good for framing a house and the subfloor

9

Ranch House Exterior Design help!

14

Alternative to drywall for garage?

14