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Landscape Design Design Dilemma Exterior

70s Exterior help

Rachel Guagliardo

6 years ago

I’ve seen other boards on the subject so this seems a difficult style to fix. this isnt quite as funky as some of the 70s contemporarys I’ve seen but I’m still sort of lost on how to give it curb appeal. I like MCM & originally wanted a ranch house. I ended up with this & im having home buyers remorse at this point so please go easy on me! I am a first time buyer & afraid I made an expensive mistake.

Featured Answer

phuninthesun

6 years ago

Congratulations. It really is a beautiful house. After a little shrub trimming and maybe some flowers, it will look even better.

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Comments (10)

Jennifer K
6 years ago
The house is actually pretty nice! But the foundation plants are overgrown and afraid of the lawn. Talk with a landscape designer. Ask for a multi-year plan that you can implement yourself (which will keep costs down). They will show you what to plant and where to plant it for best effect, taking into account the amount of maintenance you're comfortable with, your style, the lot, the house, etc.

Right now the plantings are hiding your front door so your house appears unwelcoming-- as though the only way to get in is the garage. What you want is for the planting to frame the house and guide a visitor to the front door.
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phuninthesun
6 years ago
Bump
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awm03
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Oooo, I would love to have that house...

Just clear back the overgrown landcaping to let the good architecture shine. If it were mine (and I wish it were!), I'd choose a taupe paint color for the non-stone areas, find a contemporary garage door that works with the style, add nice contemporary lights and landscape lighting to play up the good angles & planes & materials, then relax & enjoy my dream house :)
Rachel Guagliardo thanked awm03
Rachel Guagliardo
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you so much for the comments.. moving is so stressful it just has my stomach in knots.. I really appreciate the input :)
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Wow. A chain saw is your friend. Or a buddy with a little bobcat.

All the trees and plantings indeed look like they're afraid of the lawn and are trying to get into the house. They are all waaaay too close to the house. Foundation planting beds usually are at least 5 feet deep. (And that's NOT deep enough for a tree.)

If it were me, I'd probably remove everything and start over. If you do that, post a picture of the cleared house and then let us help. And hire someone to grind out that stump in the yard.
Rachel Guagliardo thanked littlebug zone 5 Missouri
PRO
New York Hardware
6 years ago
We specialize in mid-century hardware for your front door, kitchen & bath cabinets and fixtures. Your NY Hardware Team www.nyhardware.com 949.631.0631
Rachel Guagliardo thanked New York Hardware
PRO
Laura Lee Designs
6 years ago
Congrats on your new home! It's a great house in need of some landscaping as others have suggested. Perhaps changing the garage door/hardware to something more in line with the rest of the home might be nice.
Rachel Guagliardo thanked Laura Lee Designs
Rachel Guagliardo
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks again for all the input. I figured the landscaping needed addressed somehow but it seems more problematic than I realized. I’m totally new at this so these forums are a huge help.
awm03
6 years ago
littlebug brings up a great point: pull the landscaping forward. That will add depth that works well with this cool house.
Rachel Guagliardo thanked awm03

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