Tired side entry, that we use as main entry..please help
Ok so we bought this 'fixer upper ' four years ago and have been doing as much as we can to update it inside and out...but one area were having the hardest time with is our side entry...the bottom stair is concrete and the previous owners wrote their names all in the concrete then covered with the awesome green fake grass rug -_-... The metal awning fell from the massive amounts of snow we got so we also have the nice cracked rotting clapboard above the cheesy metal door...their makeshift porch is the worst, the banisters are all loose to where my 6 year old could prolly kick it down. So here the dilemma..we want to update this whole area and need ideas of what we should do..also maybe some ideas for a roof over door perhaps or something to protect us from rain as we're trying to open the door...we will be painting the entire house a deep charcoal gray that ALMOST looks black, but clearly not black..just to give an idea. I was thinking of taking whole wooden attempt at a porch down and do open stairs that go from front as you see, to the left side up to where the entry wall starts..I was thinking of using stone for the risers so it would have the grayish tones to match the soon to be charcoal exterior but yet have warm gold tones throughout...please help with some suggestions because I'm at a loss! TIA
Comments (29)
Theresa Holt
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Help for Tired Split Level
Comments (10)I think it's a good-looking house, with good proportions. I wouldn't call it "chopped up" looking at all. The mushroom-colored siding and white trim don't do anything for each other. I'd paint the siding (first and second floors both) something like the brick color you're testing in the photo of the front door, but with a bit more orange, and a few shades lighter than the brickwork. Paint the garage door the same color. That should give the house more unity than it currently has, de-emphasize the garage, and solve the "chopped up" issue. Consider painting the lower part of the downspout the brick color as well. I wouldn't use that color for the front doors, though, since you think the doors aren't noticeable enough. White or black would work, as you're already using them for accent colors (and both colors appear in the used brick). Or keep the doors blue. Wait to decide about shutters for the large window until after you've painted the siding. If it bothers you, install shutters; if not, save your money. [Another factor in this decision is the landscaping on either side of the window; will there be shrubs to cover the shutter area? and do you know what the hollies are? Since you're removed most of the shrubs, an updated photo would help.] While shutters are optional, I think a window box under the large window is a definite 'No.' The window is too low. Plant 2-3 evergreens in front of the window instead, and grow flowers in front of them in the warm season. I don't think changing the columns would draw more attention to the front doors, since the columns are in four different locations across more than half of the building. What will help is keeping shrubbery from concealing the area around the entrance. If whatever climbs the trellis will hide the front doors, then move the trellis elsewhere. I wouldn't put anything taller than a foot or a foot and a half in the area in front of the doors. If you want more color in that area, consider adding a narrow bed on the other side of the walkway for some flowering annuals or perennials. How narrow is the narrow bed? Does the porch run the whole distance to the driveway? Am I seeing a walkway in front of the narrow bed, or is that snow? Can you tell us what zone you're in? It will help with the shrub and tree recommendations. If you don't know your zone, you can use your zip code to find out: http://www.garden.org/zipzone/index.php...See MoreHelp Needed for Back Entry Useful but Ugly
Comments (47)Partial update, progress is being made although not done. You're welcome ;-) We bought the vinyl lattice for under the stairs although haven't put it up yet I painted the railing and the foundation but may do the foundation again - not sure I'm on board with the color. although it isn't completely dry here and it is darkening a bit. What do you think? And no, the part that you see unpainted is staying unpainted. Because that portion of the stairwell is in direct contact with soil, it is always a bit damp and DH says the paint won't grab right - sigh. And from further back. We're looking a bit like the Clampetts at the moment. (reality check - we ALWAYS look a bit like the Clampetts)...See MoreOversized 2 Car Side Entry or 3 Car Front Entry??
Comments (11)There is significant disappointment on our end as well as the builder that this was missed by the architect along the way. In fairness to the architect, the builder allowed us to work with the architect to develop the plans we love prior to any $ commitment from us but he did not want to pay for the survey until we were invested. So, here we are. We are disappointed because the length of the home has been established for several months and the width of the property has as well. The survey and site plan were just officially performed but the inputs are the same and have been known...so we are disappointed but still love the floorplan, location, etc. and want to make the best runner up choice we can :)...See MoreMid Centrury Ranch makeover, main entry, new paint, new siding, roof
Comments (9)I like the pergola idea by your entry, but, I do like the brown that you have, and also like your brick. It looks like you dont have a place up near the house, for real landscaping, but, it appears you do have pots, that I assume you are planting colorful flowers in when the weather permits? It does need some color to brighten it up, although, like most of us, there is that thing about the leaves all falling off the trees, called winter. Maybe in the spring, you could do some nice landscaping on the yard side of the driveway, that would help with the need for better landscaping....See More
Rina
9 years agoNessdizzle, otherwise you really like it, right? Thanks for the smile, but much sympathy for your challenge. But a lot of it is a matter of fixing the neglect and the previous owner's prediliction for green fuzz.
I like Nnigrit's suggestion. Here's another picture for inspiration.
https://www.pinterest.com/marthakarris/porch-design-ideas/
Judy Mishkin
9 years agoJudy Mishkin
9 years agoJudy Mishkin
9 years agoJudy Mishkin
9 years ago
lesliejanesconsulting
9 years ago
Lila
9 years agoLila
8 years agosnicole1
8 years ago
havingfun
8 years agohavingfun
8 years ago
PROMcNICHOLS CO.
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
PROJMKA | architects
8 years ago
this is a project we did in CT. this isn't exactly what you have going on but you could by removing the peak at the door (or not) and building a shed to create a roof over the entry area. this way you could use the inside space as a mudroom area or you could close this open porch in with large glass panels and use that space as the mudroom area. similar to the photo below. #jmkarchitects.com
Judy Mishkin