make the front of house more appealing
Help with design - make more appealing this old re done farm house. Any ideas ??
Comments (10)
Anna (6B/7A in MD)
4 years ago
PRORL Relocation LLC
4 years agohello,
1. I would change the style of the front door and go black.
2. replace the two light fixtures with something more fitting
3. Landscape plan. I'd start by removing that little retaining wall so you could expand the bed on the right to incorporate that tree. plant the full space on the left between the sidewalk and the house.
4. paint the foundation a greige color
5. I think a white railing on the porch would give it more umph and fit the house better.
If you could post a few more pictures so we can get the full scope, and what zone you are in we can help more.
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Ideas for front of ugliest house ever?
Comments (12)I guess the main problem that I see is that all of the windows seem to be different. If there's a way for your to replace some of the windows to get them all to match, that would go a long way to making the design more cohesive. Typically, this style of house has casement or horizontal sliding windows. The grey siding has a nice uncluttered simplicity to it. If you continue with it around the house using white trim around the windows and white gutters and downspouts, it would be a very nice clean look. Unless you're really attached to the wood paneled front door, the house might look better with a plain, unpaneled door, painted very dark green, or perhaps a very dark barn red, although any colour that is a sort of dramatic contrast with the grey would lend your entry a nice punch. As mentioned above, a larger chandelier would add some style too. A simple hanging large white globe might be one possibility. Since your lower floor windows are so close to the ground, any foundation planting should be very low, too. An evergreen ground cover like pachysandra or ivy are a couple of possibilities. Taller shrubbery can be planted out away from the house to provide some screening from the street. Have fun....See MoreFront of house needs advice to make front look more appealing
Comments (6)Not being familiar with what is winter hardy in your region, I hesitate to make a lot of specific recommendations. However, a few things to consider: Japanese maples are adaptable, but have only moderate to low tolerance for salt, so think about whether your road is salted in winter and where run-off goes when you are placing that tree. Basically, think about placing plants to connect your house to the land, so it looks like it is nestled into the setting rather than sitting atop it, and something to soften some of the edges. The large trees behind and alongside your home give you a good start on this. Evergreens will, of course, give you color and coverage year 'round, but don't overlook deciduous plants hardy in your region that will also provide winter interest, like winterberry holly (you'd need a male and a female), red twig dogwood, witch hazel. Plants native to your region are usually a good choice, as they are well-suited to the climate and have co-evolved with and support local wildlife (think birds, butterflies, bees, and a host of tiny beneficial insects that help control pest insects). Therefore, native plants usually (but not always) require less attention from you. There are many non-native plants, too, that will "play nicely" with your native choices. Choose plants that are well-suited to the site where they will be living. Consider the amount of sun/shade, moisture levels, wind conditions, and, very important: your soil. Best bet is to have a soil sample analyzed for structure, pH (acid/alkaline balance) and nutrients. Here in the U.S. we have our cooperative extension services, run by state universities, with offices in most counties that provide a wealth of information, including soil testing. Perhaps you have something similar? If not, then you can do some basic tests at home. Most common landscape and garden plants on the east coast of North America prefer slightly acid to neutral soil that drains well, but is rich enough in organic matter to retain some moisture and nutrients....See MoreMy windowless brick wall house needs curb appeal! Help!
Comments (24)The way I see it, the blank wall has one possibility and that is as a backdrop for a proportionately sized planting arrangement. The most likely possibility of plants that fit would be an arrangement of 3 small, multi-trunk trees (12' height ... made of what would otherwise be known as large shrubs) where two are at the back row (a few feet from the wall) and the third is centered between and in front of them, as a 'front row.' They would be limbed up to half their total height and sitting in a bed of groundcover that is substantial in size. In fact, the bed would also encompass the existing tree. If you'd imagine a 12' circular bed with the existing tree centered in it, that would be a major part of the bed. Then, in line with that same tree, extend the front edge of the bed straight over to the drive and parallel to the house front wall, fine tuning the details as to what makes sense. (Thus, the front-to-back depth of the bed would be roughly equal to the same distance that the tree is in front of the house, where that measurement is made 90* from the house facade.) The multi-trunk trees would be spaced such that the the width of their finished form fits comfortably within the confines of the brick wall width, excluding the entrance area. It seems that an effort is being made to obscure the entrance door. I think this is opposite of what the goal should be. I'd remove whatever screen is in front of it and widen the drive with an abutting walk that goes directly to the entrance area. There ought to be 25 square feet of seasonal color planted left of the entrance door....See MoreHelp with curb appeal- making 1950's small house look more modern
Comments (20)I think this house (already is really cute, and) would look great in a stark white/black combo or even off-black/black combo. I love shrubs but this one is big enough that the scale looks odd to me. You CAN rejuvenation prune it and see what happens. Or remove it go with the some spiky grasses, cast iron plants, a blue-green hosta, or if your climate allows, even snake plants. I think all of those would look great. I don't see colorful flowers in front of this one. And just for good measure, that house is so cute!...See More- PRO
User
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
I would start by getting a double entry wood door. I would stain the trim grey, as well as the wood door. I would also replace your exterior sconces. I think brining some of the red from the roof into a red brick path would tie in nicely to the color scheme as well as the era of the home. If a full brick path feels too daunting and $$ then I would line your current path with brick.
Then, of course add in landscaping or at the very least some large potted plants.Hope this helps!
- PRO
User
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoOne more mock-up, keeping your side path, after seeing the property:
**edit: added in some leaves on your tree.
Also, congrats on the new home!!
Anna (6B/7A in MD)
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoBritt
4 years agoGlo, thank you !! Do you have any ideas for rug for this space ?? Keeping the table and chairs ?
- PRO
User
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoFor a rug, I think something like this would be gorgeous, but really depends on your style/vision for the room:
(this one is my favorite)
Safavieh Adirondack Collection ADR108 Rug, Ivory/Silver, 10'x14' · More Info
Kaleen Helena Collection Charcoal Background Beige Area Rug 8'x10' · More Info
Weave & Wander Pellaro Metallic Ikat Rug, Gray/Beige, 7'6"x10'6" · More Info 
emmarene9
4 years agoI would make a life long project to return it to how it was supposed to look.
The portico gable does not match the second story gable.
I would extend to porch along the front of the house.
See how the gables have the same pitch?
Your house may have looked something like this.
PROVan Zelst Inc
4 years agoLandscaping the front of the house will make a big difference. Concentrate on the area in front of the foundation and then expand outward toward the existing tree, as your budget allows. Since the windows are a good distance from the ground, we suggest starting with tall perennials like hydrangea (in the photo below) and evergreen shrubs to help bridge the space. More ideas on our Photo Gallery here: https://www.vanzelst.com/design-gallery/. Colorful planted pots on each side of the porch will draw the eye up and add texture and personality. Enjoy your new home!
Wilmette Residence Landscape · More Info
Dig Doug's Designs