Shorebird needs curb appeal...please add your ideas

16 years ago

Shorebird sent me her house photos and would like some help. Can anyone offer some ideas?

Here is her email and photos:

The tree to the right of the front door is no longer there. I would LOVE to change the house color but hubby doesn't want to do that. Here are some ideas I have but it's hard to visualize without seeing pics. I was thinking maybe a dark gray color....or maybe a burgandy or a dark shade of blue....not navy but maybe a slate blue. Also have thought about a window box for the 3 windows??

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Comments (29)

neetsiepie
16 years ago
I think the windowboxes would be too busy. The house isn't that big, and there is a lot of architectural interest going on. I think leaving the colors of the house, but bring in texture and color with plants.

What is the climate like? I'd put a japanese maple or a flowering dogwood in between the windows and the door. Add some evergreen shrubs for interest...pieris japonica is nice, and will stay small. Heather is also good, it won't get too high but will be a nice texture.

I'd bring that entry walkway out to the sidewalk in a nice meandering pattern. I'd also take down the decorations on the house...they don't fit. I'd put a pair of adirondak chairs to the right of the door (carport side).
les917
16 years ago
I think the house color is pretty - I know, that doesn't help your cause! LOL

I would paint the face of the roof line and the supports in white, to match the rest of the trim on the house and emphasize the wonderful architectural lines.

I would take down the hanging birdhouse and put a trellis up against the wall to the right of the door, and have some type of climbing flower vine, perhaps a rose or clematis. In the bed area in front, I would have some staggered height plants, running from low to high, to fill that space, with perhaps a pretty large rock or some type of garden sculpture there.

I would move the chair over to the other side. I would fill that side of the bed to the left between the walk and the windows with some type of pavers, and put the bench and the chair there, the bench on the left side angled toward the walk, the chair on the right angled to the bench. A pretty little table would be nice between them. I would paint them a fresh white, and add colorful cushions in whatever color you choose for the front door - a bright cheery warm yellow or a pretty deep lilac would be very nice with the house color. Keep the twig wreath up there, but add some wide colorful ribbon to brighten it up.

I would plant some bushes under the windows on the left, with lower flowering plants in front of them in the bed.

I would edge the beds and the sidewalk with edging stone in the same color and style as the pavers on the little sitting area.

A tree out into the yard but still in the bed on the left side, at the point where the body of the house meets the windows on the left end, would be nice, and could grow to provide some shade for the sitting area.
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I will go out on a big limb and say the front yard plantings need more structure, more boldness, and more unity. I think that is akin to what karinl is saying as well (pardon me if not). laag is the unity king, and so I will get into trouble with it by myself, but since the front of your home has a variety of different backgrounds--the wall, the inset porch, including the little fence, the driveway with garage viewed beyond-- those backgrounds themselves do not tie anything together, and so something in the garden itself has to--the choice of shrubs, or a strong edging planting, or something. Then, the fine-leaved plants disappear into the current background, and the ones you have now don't have much shape, so to me it all seems to disappear. So some kind of small tree or shrub with a trunk, or some larger-leaved plants, might give some oomph. Some of these would need to be set farther away from the house and driveway--the narrow beds hugging those edges contributes to the problem of not having the room for something with some mass or visual oomph to it. Or, as in the container suggestion, there could be a way to get this kind of structure in a non-plant material, and that might even work better. That said, it isn't necessary or even desirable for the plantings to all be continuous from the L edge (as viewed from the front) across and down the driveway edge. It might actually be better to think of having separate planting pockets in 2-3 areas in which you can design for the height and depth of the plantings that look best at that part of the house; then you would either tie them together with a low groundcover, or mulch, or potentially even the lawn connecting them. (To me, it's not always wise to tell someone that their plantings have to be one big sweep, because for some people that will create maintenance issues of large areas to mulch and to weed, compared with the simpler process of mowing the lawn, as long the way the beds are edged does not itself create more maintenance, or the lawn invade more, or something. Because otherwise, it may be too hard for you to plant fully in that whole area in a way that is affordable and looks good. In fact, I'm not sure that planting along the edge of the driveway does much of what you need from a front-yard standpoint--except that it's a fine way to grow more flowers and plants--something that I can sympathize with. Since you naturally want to try to use plants you already have, an example, I think, could include that instead of having narrow rows of roses all along the way, you might use several in a mass planting. Someone else here will really have to help me more with these concepts. Because one thing I am saying is that it lacks unity, and at the same time I am saying that I don't think you can accomplish a good thing by planting just a row of homogeneous little shrubs all along those edges. I'm not able to combine these ideas into a "do this" instruction, however. Don't despair--clearly you are getting out there and arranging and planting and learning about what you like and don't like.
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Thank you ladies : ) but these last images of the house are Jay's vision for his place. Awm, I especially appreciate your acknowledging my input and ideas, as the photoshopping is simply a design and communication tool. I always wonder if anyone notices, or appreciates more than the shopping! The creativity and challenges are where my heart is, aside from loving to help people solve their problems or achieve their vision. And, of course, I want to be good at that, too! I'm glad you always learn something. So do I! One always needs to learn more, and it makes the process all the more fun. So, thank you, again, for your compliments and encouragement on projects : ) It is very much appreciated.
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In the front, you can't go wrong with the classic combination of evergreens + annuals. The evergreens are what is really missing from your plan. They will give your landscaping shape and color all year. Although your stone work is very beautiful as it is, it would look even better with some softening elements that would draw attention to it. By that I mean that in some places you would have plants that would grow over the flat top stones, and then fall over. That type of plant is very attractive in beds like yours where you have a change in level. You need a tall evergreen on the far left, that would define the edge of your house. Also, it's really the only place that you can put something tall. The bed closest to the house should have evergreens as the back area, that are about as high as the bottom of the windows. It's OK if some of the shrubs cover it a bit. In each bed there should be at least one evergreen that cascades over the edge of the stone. Depending on how much sun the bed gets, a carpet Juniper would look nice cascading over the edge. You may need a dwarf varieties of shrubs since your beds are small. Or evergreen ground covers may be a better choice - some of them cascade nicely. Leave space for annuals. With your short blooming season and fairly small space, annuals may be a better choice because they give you good color all summer long. Also, some of them cascade (e.g. petunias or million bells) which will also look good. I'd also put in a few patches of the very early spring flowering bulbs (e.g. kaufmania tulips) just because it's such a thrill to see the first flowers. They stay in the ground as the leaves whither, and the annuals you plant around them will cover them. Daffodils keep their leaves for a long time as they whither, so I prefer them in a further-away bed, rather than a front bed. Your back is a different story. You're probably not out there much in the winter, but I'd still put in some evergreens, including cascading ones. And that's where I'd put perennials and hydrangea panniculata. If you can see any of those beds from the house in the winter, a nice choice is a dogwood shrub - their red stems are just beautiful against the white snow. The hydrangea panniculata have dry flower heads that last through winter and look nice with the snow topping them. They come in every size from dwarf to huge. Some of them grow large so you don't need that many, and they'll be visible from the house. For any plant, check the tag (or online) for the mature height and width. You don't want to plant something that will outgrow its space and need replacement - you want to be "once and done". And leave some space so the plant doesn't touch the house. If you go on a Saturday afternoon in May to any garden center in Canada, it will be very very busy and the staff will not have time to help you. Maybe you could call and ask what is a slow time and day for them so you can get some advice. Or, pay for a consultation. I know that Sheridan Nurseries has a fairly inexpensive program if you buy the plants from them, and they have a good selection.
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I do not like shutters with wide window groups, because they are obviously fake. I would remove them and paint the trim around the windows as well as on the corners of the house and the fascia at the edge of the roof. Below is a home with three exterior colors that accent the lines of the house. The contrast between light, medium and dark tones adds drama. The rest of your curb appeal can come from landscaping. Start by adding a concrete path from the front entry to the driveway. If you can't do a solid concrete walk buy the largest paving stones (usually 18"x18") and set them between the entry and the driveway. This will allow you to make a 36" wide path that is easy to walk on, and looks good. Here is one simple style. It looks like there is already a planting bed between the entry and the driveway. Fill it with plants that stay green through winter, but be careful to choose shrubs that stay small. Dwarf only means smaller than the species, so check the expected mature height before you buy. Be sure to place all plants far enough away from the house and walkways that they don't crowd. If a plant is expected to grow 4' wide, plant it 2' from the house or path. Fill in around them with perennials or annuals to cover bare ground and provide seasonal color. The bed on the side of the garage is narrow and therefore best suited to small upright plants such as phlox, veronica or daylily. If you want a shade tree make sure to avoid underground utilities when you dig. Don't plant a tree or any large shrub between the front door and the street. Don't create a mulch volcano around new trees. If your soil is heavy, deep mulch can lead to fungal disease at the base of the trunk. This applies to shrubs as well. Mulch is supposed to be temporary just to cover bare ground. You can let the lawn grow up to the tree.
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mclarke
16 years ago
What kind of budget do you have?

Definitely add a second chair. The single chair looks lonely, like someone sits there just to watch the cars go by, LOL... The two chairs should match.

A japanese maple tree would look wonderful to the left of the door, but buying one the perfect size will be pricey.

A trellis would look great there. A tall trellis, please, not a little wimpy one. Do you get enough sun to grow roses?
kitchenkelly
16 years ago
I would add another walkway straight from the door to the public sidewalk and make the beds bigger.

Cute house.
funkyart
16 years ago
You have some great suggestions already.. I just wanted to add that I also like the house color. If you want something fun, I LOVE unusual colors on adirondack chairs. I think a cool blue or a purple would be great and would add a fun pop of color. If the colors are too out there for you, I definitely agree that you need two chairs.

I am not great with landscaping but I love heather .. salvia is also nice with deep purple spikes.
duluthinbloomz4
16 years ago
You've got a classic mid-century modern and if you Google the images for mid century modern homes you'll see, among many, a photo of a house close to the color yours is now. Also examples of grays, whites, reds as well as natural stains, brick, stone and a lot of glass. The period colors are generally not in your face, but they aren't really timid either. Maybe a fresh coat of burgundy paint on the chairs... do you actually sit on them or are they space fillers? (From largely lurking on the Landscape Design forum there's a lot of discussion on the "purpose" of elements.)

Gardens/landscapes are pretty subjective, but MCM lends itself to more sculptural elements - severely shaped shrubbery, pencil point upright evergreens, topiary, lots of hardscaped areas with planting space left open for a single specimen Japanese Maple (which is always a good choice - the smaller forms would be great if zone appropriate for you) or a trained evergreen. The wreath and bird house don't fit and I think you'd ultimately be unhappy with the look of window boxes. An understory of spring bulbs works in any case as they disappear over the course of the season and would be supplemented with additional plantings for year around interest.

Design a landscape from the house out. Outlining the edges of the property first and then moving inward boxes you in against the proverbial wall. I'd recommend designing any plantings from the vantage point of indoors looking out. If it makes sense and looks good to you from the inside looking out, chances are it will also look good from the street.

You can be both retro and contemporary by using plant materials suitable to the era of your house. But if your preference runs to the cottagy, with lots of flowers and color and things - go for it. MCM is angles and straight lines - all of it can be softened by cutting planting beds into sweeping arc shapes (not wavey since wavey lends itself better to following any existing contours) and by redoing pathways from straight to curving.

I don't have any real expertise, just many years of practical experience - I'm redoing my 1930's vintage gardens with an eye to deer resistance. Things I've enjoyed over the years are going to give way to new things I'll learn to enjoy and the deer won't.
sarschlos_remodeler
16 years ago
I really love the lines of your house. Looks like you have nice new windows, too. Our 1964 split level with triangular transoms is also that green color. It's an okay color -- on a craftsman or older home I would love it; but I don't like it on my MCM house, either. Our front garden has lots of flowering plants under the windows. It's not very MCM, but it's a bit wild looking and I like it.

I would love to see a lighter color on your house. Not sure of your location, but a light gray might be very interesting (or do you have too many grey days?). What about a creamy color?

The wreath thing and bird house don't seem to fit the style of the house. How about some large san serif font MCM house numbers and MCM light fixtures to spruce things up? Google "neutra" house numbers or "Eichler" house numbers and you'll find lots of options.

What about some sort of walkway from your front door through the yard to the sidewalk? And something to trim the edge of the driveway would work wonders, too. Maybe with a bit of a rock/zen garden vibe to it.

If you add a walkway, you might also want to consider adding a step/landing that rises to the same level as your front door in the same material. Maybe something in brick to go with the new walkway. :-)

Agree with the poster above who suggested that the trim on the eaves should be painted to match the trim around the door/windows to highlight that fab roofline. Love your carport, btw.

Your adirondacks (sp?) are really cool, but they're very far apart. If you add a bit of a walkway, you might want to make a small patio area (could even do this with some recycled tire material or gravel over where you have the bench now) where you can group your bench and chairs to make a nice seating area. I would also paint the chair & bench to protect them from the elements and make them more hospitable for actually sitting on -- maybe in an Eichler color. Or, what about adding a couple of those old metal outdoor rocking chairs that came in fab colors? I think I saw new ones at Restoration Hardware, but you might be able to find a couple on ebay and paint them some fun bright retro colors.

It's so easy to spend someone else's virtual money, lol!

Such a cool house to work with. I love your carport. Have fun! Oh, can we see some of your interiors? Always interested in seeing how other MCM owners are working their interior decorating. :-)
lindybarts
Original Author
16 years ago
Can't seem to find the perfect path for the front but thought I'd show you what I had so far. Maybe I made it too busy? Just adding landscape to your house does wonders though. ;c) Except I always manage to paste in some grass that needs mowing! LOL

{{!gwi}}
sarschlos_remodeler
16 years ago
Looking good, lindy. Maybe the tall bush/tree things right by the door are a bit too much?

Here are a couple of MCM touches just for fun:
powermuffin
16 years ago
Love the MCM light and house numbers. I agree that anything added to the house should reflect its MCM roots. Maybe a nice sleek stone bench under the window instead of the chairs. IMO, the arched trellis is too cottage-like, especially in white. I would like to see some square planters with those upright junipers.
Diane
sarschlos_remodeler
16 years ago
I would also suggest keeping the walkway fairly straight -- like a straight brick path (not red brick, though, maybe a tan brick) rather than the more organic, free-form flagstone look.
fussy_chicken
16 years ago
How about having the sidewalk create a path from the front door to the driveway? Seems more practical for visitors.
Something simple, not too busy. I agree with the Japanese maples, and plants/accessories that are not so cottage-y or flowery. I keep thinking that xeriscaping would work. I don't know where you are located or what your climate is like so I really don't know what would work best. I do like this house and agree to play up the MCM look!
lindybarts
Original Author
16 years ago
Here's a few more with Sarah's lights and house number find. Love them! I changed the path to brick but still not 100% happy with it.

{{!gwi}}

Here it is without the chairs. Still like lots of flowers but that's me. I'll tone down the next one so it's not so busy. Shorebird, anything catching your eye?

{{!gwi}}
sarschlos_remodeler
16 years ago
Like that last one best. Notice you also raised the landing at the door. That looks better. The planter boxes are particularly cool. What about a cement walkway with some garden lights along the path?
lindybarts
Original Author
16 years ago
Here's one with a pretty herringbone walkway I found.

{{!gwi}}
lindybarts
Original Author
16 years ago
Shall we dim the lights? Anyone care to dance? ROFL!!

{{!gwi}}
sarschlos_remodeler
16 years ago
Ooh aah. I like that a lot. Nice work playing up the distinctive elements of the house. So where's Shorebird? Whaddya think?
shorebird58
16 years ago
Thank you everyone for all of the great ideas. I am overwhelmed!!!! Let me try to answer some questions. We live in Indiana and I'm not sure what zone we are in. Maybe 5?? The house faces east so we get morning sun.
Thank you for the info concerning what style of house we have. I have been told our house is similar to an Eichler but have never heard of the Mid Century style. I'm anxious to search the internet and see other houses similar to ours.
I like the brick walkway idea but not sure of the color. Do they make bricks in a gray color?? I wonder how that would look?? I also like the idea of having a landing at the front door as it is quite a step to get into the house.
We have talked about putting a Japanese Maple on the left side of the door but just not sure of exactly where to place it. Over by the windows or inbetween the windows and the door.
I seem to be drawn to purple and white flowers with the house color. Maybe a purple clematis growing on a trellis to the right of the front door? The chair and bench are not used. They are just there to fill up space. I do not have another matching chair as I got that one at a garage sale years ago. I know I will not be able to convince hubby to change the house color so I'm stuck with the green.
I have pictures of the inside but I can't post them on here. I have tried to figure it out and always have trouble. That is why I emailed the house pics to Lindy. The inside is done in a beachy/cottage feel. We've done alot to the inside.
I welcome your ideas so keep them coming.
lindybarts
Original Author
16 years ago
Shorebird likes the last one with the sidewalk lights but wants to see some new colors on the house. By request...here you go!

light gray

dark gray

Gray/Blue

More Blue
shorebird58
16 years ago
Thank you Lindy for giving me some different options for house color. Any other house colors you think might look good? Cream? Tan? Burgandy??
sarschlos_remodeler
16 years ago
Lindy, on my computer, those colors all look very green. Can you pull up a pale grey-blue instead of grey-green? Also, tan colors would work.

I would not go burgundy on an MCM house. Check out the Eichler Network for good Eichler colors, door styles, lighting styles, etc.

Here is a link that might be useful: Eichler Network.
shorebird58
16 years ago
Sarshchlos - Thank you for the Eichler website info. I will check that out. The colors all look green on my computer too for some reason.
lindybarts
Original Author
16 years ago
Well shoot, they look green to me this morning too. I didn't think so when I first uploaded them. I'll maybe try another program because I think you're seeing the green underneath on Photoshop. I'll check out the Eichler website too and see if I can match up something. ;c)
lindybarts
Original Author
16 years ago
Here are some Ben Moore colors for you

Phillipsburg Blue

Newburyport Blue

Kendall Charcoal

Brewster Gray

New London Burgundy

Vintage Vogue
shorebird58
16 years ago
Wow Lindy. Thanks for doing that again. It's nice seeing some different color options.
sarschlos_remodeler
16 years ago
I like that New London Burgundy. I think the Eichler colors have some reds/burnt orange colors that are very pretty, too.
roguevalley
16 years ago
This is a realtor website but the info regarding Eichler/MCM homes is great. This is a link specifically regarding landscaping this style of home. I really like the BIG concrete slabs that are staggered in the path.

Here is a link that might be useful: Landscaping an Eichler
sarschlos_remodeler
16 years ago
That is a good site, roguevalley. One important note on the landscaping advice there is that that realtor specializes in Eichlers in Marin County, California (San Francisco area) so the recommended plant species are probably different than what will thrive in Indiana.
deco_clueless
16 years ago
Just wanted to say: Lindy, you're amazing!!!