I can't see the brick - could you do a close-up pf that? The sage green does sounds nice! Do you plan to paint the brick also?

I would rather not paint the brick. There isn't much of it.

The "scaffolding" kind of makes the house though...

The brown trim is all staying though and the roof is also brown. That really limits things. I don't think a gray would go.

Solana Beach Residence · More Info

Something like for color ideas...

I like the scaffolding too, it adds interest to the house. And I like the current colors. So I'm not much help, sorry ....

I think it looks like scaffolding because of the color. Look at the second house Nicholswirth posted...the green house with red "scaffolding".... It just looks like decorative trim.

I would paint the front door and trim/"scaffolding" a sage green and paint those three square panels under the windows on the left dark brown to blend in with the rest of the house. That blue may also not be appealing to many buyers. I like the house!

Usually i'm feeling the suggestions I get on this forum, lol. Perhaps this house and I have spent too much time together. I think, while the interior is now lovely, the exterior is hideous. I'm not sure I can be convinced to keep the scaffolding! Still, I appreciate all the ideas! ☺

Get rid of it! It serves no purpose other than to annoy you and discourage a potential buyer.

Once it is gone, you need to create some kind of porch area that is inviting. Landscaping will help too.

Scroll down through the pictures at this LINK

I think one of the darker sage greens could work for you and be an improvement. I also agree with you about the 'scaffolding'. I'd be removing it, if it was my house. There is a house near here that is a dark sage green with deep orange/rust doors and cream colored trim that is breath-taking!

I also found this where someone was asking for help in choosing their house paint colors - stay away from the blue! :-)

I like this for your door, or a something with more orange, like Ben Moore HC-50, Georgian Brick, below.

I could see a nice sage. You want it to be earthy because it's that sort of house, but not grubby. What are the blue parts? Would you highlight those or blend them in?

You may want to use a solid stain on the wood siding instead of paint. Here is a link to Cabot stain colors:http://www.cabotstain.com/colors-and-finishes/families/Solids-Colors.html

Janelle, do a google search on architect Richard Neutra for color inspiration. I wouldn't remove the decorative wood (or whatever it is) in front. You have a certain kind of house that will appeal to a certain buyer. Removing the wood wil not change that but could make it less desirable. With the right color combination your home will look incredible!

Pretend all the single posts are your more decorative version and look at the colors in that view. Also, there are many more by the architect online.

Don't know who this architect is.

I think your house looks beautifully MCM. If you change your "scaffolding" you risk losing that, especially if you replace with three columns. It would then be a classic example of "remuddling." I would paint the decorative trim the same blue as your door and panels or chose a new color for all those. There is a large market for MCM homes that haven't been ruined by renovation.

Put your money into landscaping and paint. It will make a world of difference.

ETA:. Hope you will either move, straighten, or get rid of that crooked bird feeder! ;)

This is my favorite color combo. You have a lot of options though. However, over the years I have remodeled many homes and sold them all myself (except one). I think this combo is a safer bet in today's market.

ETA...you can do a Gray but it would need to be a gray/brown taupy shade. However, can your brown roof be seen? If you show me I can help with a color.

You said this is for resale so (speaking as a former realtor here) take the history you have with the property out of the equation and don't look at it as something you're going to have to live with.

If you look at the commentary just in this one post, it kind of reflects how many of the buyers are going to react. Painting the scaffolding in a decorative color, as opposed to loosing it, will give it a pretty curb appeal and still keep the integrity of it's design. That's what you should want. The scaffoding is indicitive to the style of the house which is what a lot of people who are into that style are drawn to. Even people who aren't familiar with the style are still going to see the contrast in color as an attractive feature.

For resale the rule of thumb is to focus on doing the minimum necessary that offers the biggest impact. Painting it and providing some simple landscape does that.

ETA: If you really want to see how it will look, upload the picture into Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore's painting apps and play around with the colors.

I too am a bit surprised that on this site a MCM architectural detail that announces the style of the home is being considered for removal. From your picture I would say the deck/staircase to the front is the element that is not congruent. Paint will really perk up your home. I would at a minimum consider new paint now and let it sit for a bit. You might find yourself able to embrace your homes style. If you continue to get comments perhaps an investigation into the architect and that style's name would give you some ammo?

Is there a realtor in your area who specializes in modern houses? We have some here. What you have will appeal to the person who is looking for that, so don't remove it. I like a lot of the photos justerrilynn posted for inspiration.

I also do not like painted brick. We have brick homes here in our neighborhood, and all the flippers just automatically paint the brick. So, now we have a lot of grey brick homes.

I can appreciate the desire to keep the architectural integrity of a home, but IMO this home is not that kind of MCM. This is a pretty basic split level - with the windows and exterior trim work being virtually the only nod to MCM. I have no qualms removing the decorative trim. Very few buyers in this area are savy enough to recognize something like that anyway and instead thing it looks out of place. Thanks for the ideas!

I also think paint is the way to go, especially given the windows, blue panels, and porch light. If you paint a bright, intentional color and maybe set out some plants, then the framing will seem more in place. If it's removed, the rest of the features of this style home will be more prominent and austere.

Edit: maybe installing some type of paneling within part of the front framing will add the feeling of privacy and desirability.

I like apple green or brighter blue with brown, look at those too. Sage doesn't feel "fun" enough for this playful exterior. I'm not sure you should be highlighting all the trim, either. Highlight the focal features with paint, allow the remainder to be a restful backdrop.

Sorry, but add me to the list that thinks you should not remove the trim. I think it is awesome.

I think I would keep some of the scaffolding, but not all. The part that acts like a fence on the porch I would take down and put pillars there. Or something, not sure what kind of pillars, prob something painted same as house.

I'd keep one side of it on the other. It adds something, but right now it's too much of a good thing. If you look at the inspiration pic, it's only a small amount. It's a bit busy to have all of it.

The remaining scaffolding I would paint a highlight color.

Good luck!

PS Are you painting the side deck? I would do the color of the house to pull it in the background.

OMGosh, those two examples look so much better!

You mentioned replacing the scaffolding with "3 large pillars." If you look at almost all the suggestions people have given you, the pillars, if any, are all pretty slim. I don't think chunky pillars match the rest of the house.

Woah, thats amazing! Thanks so much! I think I also underestimate the value of good landscaping. Thank you!

Justerrilynn...that mock up is amazing. Janelle, someone is going to flip over being able to get that style house. Those buyers are out there, so I hope you'll see the potential to keep it as it was designed.

Yup, a little paint and landscape can go a very long way. As you can see from the mock ups, once painted, the "scaffolding" adds interest and is not an eyesore at all. Removing that out of place blue from windows and using the lighter color wakes the place up and streamlines it. I really like the two tone as well. Great job justerrilynn!

Yeah, getting rid of the snow makes a huge difference! :)

Look at it this way: it's cheaper to leave the scaffolding in.

Thanks all! These are the Sherwin Williams colors I was aiming for (sort of a gray/green/brown) but they never come out the same.

Door

These are the Sherwin Williams colors I was aiming for (sort of a gray/green/brown) but they never come out the same.

What do you mean they never come out the same?

Lori, I had to do Janells house manually on Microsoft paint and photobucket due to the scaffolding and me not having any other programs. The colors seem to change in transition and the fact that I am eyeballing a match doesn't help either. With my primitive skills I also draw in trees and landscaping.

My son is taking advanced classes in college. His inspiration was watching me do primitive work : ) In the future he is going to share his knowledge with me. I just need all those programs to learn.

Great job Justterri, it does look so much better.

justerrilynn ahhh, I got it. Well, the renderings look absolutely wonderful - what a transformation! LOVE the orange door choice. OP can always get the paint chips to see the *real* colors.

Thanks Lori! The OP said she had a brown roof but didn't show it. She also said she wasn't sure a true Gray would work with the roof, so, that is my reasoning for the SW's chit of colors picked. Do you have an idea of color? Please share if you do.

Janelle, if you try any of the mock-up ideas you MUST share : )

@Justerrilyn - I like the color palette of your inspiration picture and your virtual. I agree it will appeal to many buyers right now.

justerrilynn - what a fabulous contribution you made to this process. I LOVE the pictures you put together. I so hope the OP keeps the "scaffolding" I would love a house with that type of character. :)