Anyone willing to photoshop some curb appeal for me?
Pretty please?
I have a plan for adding some curb appeal to my house, and DH doesn't believe me that it will actually work -- is there anyone out there who could give me some photographic evidence to show him?
HEre's my house (I have posted before, you may recognize it):
My plan is to paint the brick white and add a front portico. Here's a photo of a house from my neighborhood where they have managed to minimize the things I don't like about my own house (the "divided in half" look, the overhang, the blank space around the front door) -- obviously they have some things going for them that I don't have (roofline, circular drive, etc) -- but I think that just going all white and adding a portico like theirs would make a HUGE difference for us:
So, please, you talented photoshoppers, can you help me convince DH?
Comments (123)
Valerie Noronha
16 years agolyfia
16 years agoRelated Discussions
I'm looking for some curb appeal.
Comments (14)The house has a big solid presence. The landscaping, in contrast to the house, is small. Perhaps it's new landscaping and hasn't grown much yet but will look fine in a few years. It would help, I think, to let the shrubs and plants grow into natural shapes rather than clipping them into what are known as "meatballs" (I guess the small ones on the left would be "peas"). Also, when each shrub is so separate, they give more of an impression of smallness and uncertainty than they would if they touched each other or overlapped (as they would, for instance, if you had two rows planted in zig-zags). I agree with swoodard23 that height is needed, but I would keep the foundation plants below the porch railing. The big bush to the right could be taller, however -- probably should be taller. hypermom's hanging baskets on the porch might cut off too much of the view from the windows -- and I think would accentuate the small size of the foundation shrubs. Instead, perhaps planters on the porch railings, with trailing plants that would hang down toward the small foundation shrubs, giving the effect of larger foundation plantings. [When the foundation shrubs are taller, either omit the porch-rail planters or fill them with non-trailing plants.] Like swoodard23, I'm not fond of that shrub in front of the porch stairs. It's relatively rare to see front steps that make such a statement but don't seem to go anywhere, due to the lack of a walkway to the sidewalk and the near-invisibility of the walkway to the driveway when viewed from the sidewalk. I hope some of the pros will address how to treat such a situation. Speaking as an amateur, I'd remove the existing walkway and replace it with a 4' walkway that begins on the street side of the bed next to the grass. It would begin perpendicular to the driveway, then curve to approach the steps from the front. (The walkway should end up being at least as wide as the steps.) That would give you a deep bed on that side, between house and walkway, to play with. === It's possible some of your dissatisfaction -- the lack of curb appeal -- is related to the house rather than the landscaping. To me, the room that juts out over the porch -- perhaps because it's painted a light color -- gives the house a bit of a top-heavy look. If it were painted to match the bricks, the effect would be different. That's not to say it's a problem, just that you might try Photoshopping it and see if it changes how you feel about the curb appeal issue. But regardless whether you paint the second floor area, I'd suggest painting the front door a color that doesn't merge into the bricks. People should be to be able to find the door easily. When you look at the house, what do you notice first? For me, it's the gray room on the second floor. Second, I notice the railings and pillars on the porch and stairs -- and then the central pillars lead my eyes up to the light gray room on the second floor again! After that, I notice the main windows. Eventually I notice the plants in the front beds. I don't notice the door at all. [Keeping the door brick-colored but painting the trim around the door the medium gray might make the door more noticeable -- though that might depend on the size of the trim.]...See Moreanother curb appeal - photoshop request
Comments (9)Hey fellow Oregonian! I didn't forget about you, there was so many Photoshop requests today...Whew! Anyway, I was really picturing Sage Greens on your house. I would probably change the door to black and add lots of wrought iron accessories to your front porch. You can't see if very well in my virtual, but there's a wrought iron plant stand with the terra cotta pot. I also don't think you need a ton more landscaping. Just a few hydrangeas and some Spirea. I also added a Crepe Myrtle but not sure how well that would do in Bend? I have one but can't tell if it made it through the winter yet?? Here's just one idea of colors for you:...See MoreI need some ideas to improve curb appeal - x-post kind of
Comments (47)Lovin what is happening with the thick posts. Adding a railing is also a very doable option. I particularly love how the posts thicken up at the bottom. Very grounding! And that's the thing with foundation planting - it really grounds the house. (I have to figure that out at my own house now that my house has new siding, doors, windows.) It's really fine that you don't know how to do that. GW has some great forums with folks who would be more than glad to help you figure out some low maintenance, substantial scrubs/plantings for around the foundation. You can also just look around your neighborhood/town at what people have done. Pay attention to their choice in shrubs and make sure you are seeing mature plants so you can figure out placement. It makes a TON of difference. And, for the second time in 5 minutes, I'm with pfmastin. I still really prefer the current paint color and brick. I like it light. It's really just such a good, fresh look! That being said, I know you were disappointed from the beginning with it and taste is taste. Would you consider just going with a creme with an undertone that takes you from the yellow if that is what is bothering you? Be careful with tans and beiges, or you can end up with a bandaid/pinky tone. IMHO, neutral and earthy, grayed out tones are good for the bones of a house. Punches of color can be added in porch furniture, front doors, plantings, pots, shutters, etc......See MoreAnyone willing to do some photoshopping??
Comments (4)I think it would look funny. The cabinetry would have to be up way high to clear the door molding to the right. By the time you added trim, etc.. (are you also adding crown mold?) you would have small cubbies for storage....See Morechicoryflower
16 years agosquirrelheaven
16 years agook, now that your house is looking less contemporary, I'm switching back over from a flat panel to raised paneling on the porch, and just painting your current door (hopefully not metal :) Storm door gone!
I do think working with all the whites might be difficult, as it would have to match/center around your siding.
Here's a little less done, also. Just a wood strip at the top of the brick, with the 'corbel' detailing. I do think maybe a moulded strip along the narrow bottom edge of the siding might transition things better too (without capping and wrapping from underneath).
And, hopefully you could paint the garage door. Just faux hardware details there, without replacing it if it's still good. The architectural doors are generally quite expensive.
I am also wondering about doing the porch over the existing siding. Just make sure it won't be a problem down the road where they'd want to take your porch roof off or something.
Here's a closeup of the door area first. The last pic has the garage door painted, if possible.
I should post a pic of the flat panelling and other style door, too.
Little by little by (minute by minute, lol, Chic! I think I need a piano or something : ) Maybe we could finally just haul that thing outta Val's living room, lol.)
squirrelheaven
16 years agoHere's a closeup of the flat paneling. And forgot to put the painted chimney back on. I do think it looks nice in brick though, but maybe that wouldn't make sense?
RNmomof2 zone 5
16 years agosquirrelheaven
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16 years agoleahcate
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16 years agochicoryflower
16 years agolyfia
16 years agolindybarts
16 years agochicoryflower
16 years agometromom
16 years agosarschlos_remodeler
16 years agochicoryflower
16 years agosquirrelheaven
16 years agoBack to the paneling : ) Wasn't sure how many panels to put in initially. The first set has two panels, aligned with the door moreless. The last pic is one panel (it's a little distorted, but it's a raised panel also). A little research, a few flips through a good book or some magazines, would show specific styling and details that are usually used.
Also reshaped the porch roof a bit and tried a variety of door painting styles. We usually do sidelights in white around here but for some reason I started with the broad color on the door.
The details are endless.
metromom
16 years agopbrisjar
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16 years agosquirrelheaven
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16 years agokatewg23
2 years ago
chicoryflower