Front door doesn't show. How do we add accent color?
Hello again. I recently posted about adding a third bay to this brick ranch. That is still on the table, but another concern is how to perk up the exterior at the same time. We've considered removing part of the brick and adding another material for more interest. That would open up more options for facing the third bay, as we could recycle some of the brick (assuming the new mortar can be decently matched to the old). This house faces south. The front door faces east on the courtyard-type front patio. No easy way to add an accent color using the door then because you can't see it from the road. Prefer to keep the bow window. I'd love to add a pergola, but the room behind the bow window would lose its sunlight...a valuable asset long during Minnesota winters. The fakey, too-small shutters are an option. Any other ideas out there?
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Comments (101)Greetings all! Since I've taken the time to enjoy this whole thread, I thought I would contribute something - woodie2, thanks for the link to the hanky panky, and I will look into those myself. On that same website, I found my favorite bra for work: http://www.herroom.com/Le_Mystere,Mys001-955,4.cfm I admit it is not my absolute most comfortable (that goes to my Wacoal), but it looks like a million bucks every day. I have several (they are worth the $ if you wash in a lingere bag and hang them to dry), and wear them every weekday. On the thong-wearing topic - if you are considering trying them, it is very much like learning to wear contact lenses. First, of course, you need a good fit (let me recommend the cossabella mesh thong). Then you will find that you can only wear them for a few hours the first day, then a bit longer the next time, and eventually, you don't even notice they are there. Would love to go au naturale myself, but there is no way - talk about uncomfortable. I guess we are all constructed differently!...See MoreChoosing a storm door that doesn't clash with original doors?
Comments (7)I know it would look better with no storm, but with our winters I would worry a lot about the doors (especially the one with the glass) getting damaged. Also, screen doors in the summertime are a must so we don't roast! concrete, thanks for the link. I didn't know about this particular company, and it's always good to hear a testimonial from a happy customer! Sombreuil, those doors are drop dead GORGEOUS. They look really wonderful. I couldn't build a door myself (I wish!), but perhaps I could buy a very basic model and then dress it up like you did with yours. Columbusguy, thanks! When you say "full view" door, I assume you mean a door that's basically just a frame with no ornamentation or board in the middle, correct? To answer your question, the view from the side porch is currently of two long, wide porch shades that I purchased from Coolaroo, LOL. They are striped and they actually doesn't look too bad. The big Queen Annes on the next street over have similar shades on their porches so I figure if they can do it, then my little house can too. I think until I win the lottery and can buy the house next door to fix up, the shades are my cheapest, quickest fix for an unfortunate view. ;)...See MoreHow to add drama to cookie cutter front door/steps
Comments (27)The point is to repeat the same color so that together you get a bigger dramatic effect rather than something hodgepodgy. I agree painting your door, storm door, and side lights the same as the shutters will help. As others have noted, a magnetic wreath hanger (2 piece) or large command hook will hold your wreath to the glass. Make sure to get one that can hold at least 6 lbs. As shown above, sweet potato vine "marguerite" (the lime green one) always adds drama and it gets very large if you don't cut it back, adding more drama! It's ubiquitous but very effective, especially if you plant it with purples, black, and whites. The key with plants is OVER SIZE and overplant in the containers or you lose the street effect. Don't think about what looks good to you while standing 5 feet away from it on your porch, or looking down on it--go down to the street and see it from 20 or 30 feet away, and looking UP to it. Does it register from the street? Can you see it driving down the road? Yes! If not, it isn't eye catching enough yet and you need more and bigger. Don't be afraid to go huge as long as it's natural and elegant. Instead of 1 pumpkin on a box, you could do something like this: It doesn't all have to be about plants and pots. You can get super creative. My neighbor has a dress form on her porch (which is no bigger than yours). This isn't hers, but she does similar things to it seasonally: Kind of the same idea as decorating an old bicycle with flowers. As long as you're the first in your neighborhood to do it, it's interesting. Also PS: Don't use iron planters if you get a lot of sun there--your roots will fry. You can get fiberglass ones that look like the iron ones though (and they'll probably be cheaper too.)...See MoreLooking for help on how to add an accent color to the outside
Comments (4)Sometimes it also takes time for the photos to post in a comment you have to wait until they look like the original not kind of gray....See More
Heidi M
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agohousegal200
5 years agoWinter or summer, the two white garage doors are taking up all the visual space. Think about painting all your trim and the garage a beige from the grout color and roof which would stop pulling the eyes to the double garage. A long, low dark wooden planter under the windows would look great with flowering plants in the summer and everygreens in the winter.
Winter Arrangements · More Infohoussaon
5 years agoYou could also add an arbor over the existing garage - no need to do the same over the new one. That will add some interest and break up the expanse of garage bays. If you do decide to remove and reuse some brick, I take it from either side of the bay window.
Outdoor Living Projects · More InfoActually found one over a three bay garage!
Wood Trellis · More InfoHeidi M
5 years agofunctionthenlook
5 years agoPersonally I would leave the brick as is. I don't have a mailbox, it is down at the main road, but there is a lot of mailbox ideas on the Internet. This is what I have in the winter at the end of my driveway. It isn't everyone's taste, but it adds a bit of whimsy to the long winter.
This was taken at Christmas. We usually don't get much snow till after the holidays. I just remove the pine and leave the rest till spring.
houssaon
5 years agohousegal200
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoHeidi M
5 years ago
della70
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
BeverlyFLADeziner