Need help!!! updating curb appeal with outdated yellow brick

5 years ago

I just bought a new home that was originally built in the 1940s but completely gutted and remodeled. The inside and backyard of the home is beautiful! Unfortunately, I’m stuck with outdated orange/yellow brick and struggling to decide how to update the front of my home to seem less drab and match the remodel on the inside.

I’m thinking some creative landscaping may help. Painting the brick would be my last option, but i have been looking at limewashing as a possible solution for the exterior..just unsure what the result will be on this color brick. please help! What suggestions do you have ? Thank you in advance!!

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PRO

Dig Doug's Designs

5 years ago

some ideas:

Comments (19)

njmomma
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Not a Pro.

Just popping in to say, what a great house!

If you have a chance, post the pics of your renovations.

I think Lavender would look lovely up against that brick.
fraker
5 years ago
I don’t consider that brick to be ‘dated’. Just because something isn’t of-the-moment, ubiquitous HGTV, doesn’t mean that it is instantaneously unattractive. That is a very attractive, classic home and the brick is not holding it back. It is period appropriate, attractive and genuine. Please don’t muck it up. If you feel you need to tinker, consult a landscape designer.
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tatts
5 years ago
I really like the color of the brick--it lends nice visual texture. And I like the soldier courses at the foundation--nice little details. And the chimney is great!

Unfortunately, that big tree blocks the view of the chimney and really crowds the house (as does the small one on the left). I don't know what kind of tree that big one is, but I'd have it checked for soundness.

I don't think white is the best color for the trim on the house; look around for other homes in the neighborhood with that brick and see what looks good. I'd keep it light, but I don't think I'd use the tan color of the panel under the window.

But first, I'd have the brick cleaned; that will make a big difference.
HKO HKO
5 years ago
The brick is not dated, and it’s a very cute house. You need landscaping including perhaps removing that giant tree that’s too close to the house. I agree with Tatts on the white trim issue.
sadie625tx
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for your comments so far. Outdated may be the wrong term, and is a subjective description anyway.

Any suggestion on trim color? Most of the homes around here with similar coloring have the white trim.

Will definitely look into what can be done with the trees.
Kathleen Squires
5 years ago
Not a pro but since the front door is tucked to the side maybe a bright yellow bench on porch straight in from steps and same yellow on a pair of shutters on the window close to steps. Or painted under window area that is now tan. Nice house. Yellow brick popular in Ontario when I visited there. I think it’s very pretty.
decoenthusiaste
5 years ago
Looks like maybe some pressure washing is in order; foundation and chimney top in particular. Then a warmer color for the trim and siding. Unifying all the vent grill styles at the foundation would be a good idea too. Then tackle the landscaping.
GreenDesigns
5 years ago
With the medium toned roof, you need dark trim. Urbane Bronze or French Roast could work.
partim
5 years ago
Be very cautious when power washing older brick. It can be damaged. Love the brick. Needs landscaping.
housegal200
5 years ago
The brick is beautiful and in keeping with the period of the house. Spend your money on gorgeous landscaping.
Victoria Roe
5 years ago
What a lovely house! It has great curb appeal and I see no issue with the brick other than it needs to be cleaned. I think the trim color is off. Maybe pull out one of the colors in the brick for trim?
I would consider talking to a landscaper about whether or not to keep the tree.
partim
5 years ago
Your brick color is similar to the blonde brick colors that were popular in MCM homes. You might get ideas googling blonde brick. I like some of the ideas in these pins particularly the darker grayish brown trim colors. Are your window frames paintable? I would go a little browner than this gray color.

Whatever you do, I would try to de-emphasize the siding area below your front window. I'd paint the siding insert the trim color, and put evergreen shrubs in front of it that reach the bottom of the window. Yews are always good for that purpose because they are easy to trim.
PRO
Yardvaark
5 years ago
The bad brick is that which is jumping wildly with crazy colors or high contrast. Yours looks like completely nice, decent, normal brick. It might be dirty at the most and need a cleaning. We can't tell from the photos.

The small tree at the left looks beat up and maybe too close to the fence. Consider replacing it with a better example. Other than that, finish out with some regular landscaping. (I can't get excited about what it looks like you're going to do ... engulf the foundation in a smothering evergreen hedge. Keep the windows clear.)
houssaon
5 years ago
Here is a handsome house with brick close to your house. I wonder if a gray would work.
Glen Ellyn Addition · More Info
ashgreenpa7a
5 years ago
Your house is so nice! I really like the pic houssaon shared. Painting the trim black could give the house a more contemporary feel without touching the brick. I'd also suggest a deeper foundation bed around the house (5' or more added) and incorporate flowering shrubs for a softer look than a regimental line of evergreens.

The tree is way too close to the house, but it's so lovely looking, and it appears to be well cared for. I'd be hesitant to remove it before finding a replacement tree for elsewhere in the yard. I'd hire an arborist right away to gauge the tree's health if you haven't done so already.
emmarene9
5 years ago
If the trim paint is still good/not peeling then I would leave it as it is. I think a dark color would look good but not enough to justify the cost of painting. I do think you should paint that bit under the windows on the left side white.

I'd paint the front door teal.

What it needs is nice landscaping. Deeper beds and plants not grown so close to the house would be a better look. What is there now is much to close. Is it boxwood?

It is a beautiful house.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I feel your pain. I do think the home is way overdue for a washing. You'll need to see the real color of your bricks before you decide what to do. You might be surprised.

Limewash or stain the brick. Here are images of homes before and after. It's NOT paint.
njmomma
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
2 years ago.

@sadie625tx Any updated photos????