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Remodeling, please help design exterior of my house.

6 years ago

Hello!

We are about to remodel our home and I'm struggling with the exterior design. I know I've come to the right place for help because I've read some of the awesome advice given on this forum!

We will be adding 14 feet to the right side of the house (first floor and basement). I can't decide if the right addition should be a gable to match the left side, or if I should just extend the front porch all the way across. Each (gable) will have one centered window. The front door is moving to the right, so it will be centered between the two gables if we choose the gable. The garage is detached and will have the electric pole removed and two garage doors installed. I like board and batten and the wavy cedar siding, but am open to all other ideas. A simple forest cottage is what we're looking for. I want the colors of my home to blend with the forest. The house is on a steep forested lot overlooking a small river.

Thank you so much. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!

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Comments (5)

littlebug zone 5 Missouri
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Cute little house and I love the setting!

My first impressions: that's a whole lotta driveway! And boy, that tree is in the way! I know, not what you asked.

I like the idea of another gable to match on the far right (more house will help offset the overpowering driveway, I think). Wavy cedar siding sounds great, too. Do you use the front porch much, or do you hang in back because that's where you see the river?
rivermoth
Original Author
6 years ago
Wow, thank you little bug for the quick response! We're in Missouri too!

Yes, the tree was leaning toward the house so we had it cut down right after moving in. I agree that the driveway is too much. We are hoping its in the budget to remove a large portion of it and create a c-shaped driveway with a landscaped berm in the middle to add a little privacy from the road. It is a private road with only a few houses, so not too much traffic!

Thanks for giving your opinion on the gable, that helps a lot! We do tend to hang out in the back because of the pretty view. That's part of the reason for the remodel, to orient the main rooms more toward the back. It's south facing in the back and has hardly any windows on that side. Living room is currently in front of house, and bedrooms/bathroom on back side...

Thanks again!!
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littlebug zone 5 Missouri
6 years ago
Well, if you're in Missouri, no wonder I love the setting! It's what I'm used to. Colder than H E double-toothpicks in my part of Missouri today though! I'm in the frigid north.

If you don't use the front porch much (you said something about creating privacy from the road, plus your views are to the back), I'd not worry about extending it. Instead, build a new gable on the right side to match the left one.
palimpsest
6 years ago
I'd extend the porch rather than matching the gable.
rivermoth
Original Author
6 years ago
Yes Little bug, it is freezing today! We're in the Ozarks, so you are probably colder in the north!

Palimpsest, thank you for responding! That's one vote for gable, one vote for porch extension....

We're needing to make a decision soon because the builder is nearly ready to start and wants our final decisions.

Thanks in advance for anyone else that would like to chime in!?

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