70s Contemporary Renovation
I just purchased this home and would like to renovate the exterior to maintain some of is original feel but update it to be a little more upscale modern. I would love to hear some ideas and suggestions!
Comments (20)
suezbell
4 years agoRelated Discussions
70s contemporary - ideas to improve exterior
Comments (4)The old house forum was started a no. of yrs ago by and for people who love old houses and want to retain their true essence. ... as an alternative to the remodeling forum. (Of course in reality there can be overlap but in general that was the idea.) If a house screams70s or any paricular era - then its best to not add, take away change things in a way that conflict with the original design Any "updating" (whatever that means) should be done in a way that replicates and/or fits in with the original design or you end up with a frankenstein house that could lose substantial value and appeal. You should be able to get it to look and feel "fresh" without compromising its fundamental design. Have you researched midcentury modern? IMHO, you have a really fine specimen. A lot of modern, current circa 2017 architecture and home furnishing design heavily borrows from this era..... so by sticking with its original style you will have a house that actually looks quite fashionable and "of the moment." How cool is that? Not sure what you see "wrong" with the windows but to my eye they are terribly appealing, I love how the inside and outside kinda flow together. All I would do I think is paint the interior white wall that you see inside the lower level windows the same color as the exterior of the house - as it is now that white kinda jumps out at you. I would do something with that patio area on the lower right - make it into an actual useable outdoor room of some sort - and along with that rebuild that porch railing above (right now it kinda looks like boards nailed to a post). For both you would need to retain the strong horizontal lines to keep it in harmony w/the house and roofline. I might hire a designer familiar with this genre of house since that porch and outdoor area below are such prominent features of the house. Color- keep it dark but there are so many rich beautiful browns and brown-grays out now- both stains and paints - wouldnt have to stick with that same old brown....See More70's Contemporary in Need of Exterior Help
Comments (16)Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions! I read some amazing ideas! I am still not completely sure on the color I want, but my favorite ideas and things I will most likely consider and do is installing an iron railing by the entryway, replacing the light fixtures, removing the concrete basket, adding stone siding somewhere to the front, and painting the trim and maybe garage doors a different color than the house. I kind of like keeping the original garage doors, but wouldn't mind considering replacing them with modern doors. Adding larger windows around the entryway and above the garage is also a great idea, but that would probably cost us a fortune lol. Does anyone have an idea on where on the house to install stone siding? I really like that idea. Stone with cedar and metal railings would really create some depth and make the house look even more contemporary....See MoreNeed help revitalizing a '70s contemporary exterior
Comments (6)Really nice house and lot. Would want all downstairs windows to actually open and a front porch instead of a front deck. You could add a flat or nearly flat roof over your existing deck or extend that forward facing gable and put an upstairs bonus room with windows that actually open over an actual front porch. Liking the large older trees in the front yard but you might consider removing the one closest to the front of the house since its base is leaning toward the house. Would want the gutter/downspouts to visually disappear as much as possible, even on the side and back. Instead of (or in addition to) a lot of angled steps in the back of the house, have you considered building a deck that wraps around the house over the garage doors so you have the option of less steps to reach a landing in the yard above the retaining wall....See More70s or 80s contemporary paint or facelift
Comments (5)It is difficult to tell from the photo....is the roof dark brown? I am assuming so... Love your house! I wouldn’t paint the brick as I think it looks good with your cedar siding. You might experiment (via software) with really dark bronze black siding. That might make it more dramatic. SW Urbane Bronze 7055...See More
decoenthusiaste
4 years agoAre you replacing the roof any time soon? Can it be cleaned/pressure washed? Large modern exterior light fixtures and cable railing for the deck would be good upgrades, IMO. I assume all the windows and door frames are bronze and are staying. Are you painting, staining or replacing siding? Here's a thought...
zipper house · More Infodhawxhurst thanked decoenthusiastecat_ky
4 years ago
PRO- PRO
acm
4 years ago
PROBeverlyFLADeziner
4 years agoThe landscaping for the house needs major readjustment. A design that is more fitting with the contemporary style of the home.
A dark stain could instantly update the home.
dhawxhurst
4 years ago
Here's a little bit more fuller picture. the only thing that is not in this is the drive way on the right hand side. Thank you all so much for the feedback so far. It seems there is some consensus about tearing up those holly bushes (ugh, but I agree), painting the exterior a cooler neutral, and updating the lighting. I also really liked the idea about the cable railing on the deck in the rear. Thanks celery for the mock ups! very helpful! Do others think that a darker trim would look most appealing and any ideas on what to replace those dang holly bushes with?
User
4 years agoulisdone
4 years ago
PROBeth H. :
4 years agoI think redoing it w/dark colors and redwood/cedar planks would fit it perfectly. Here are some similar 1970's homes that have been reworked.
Lauren Liess design.
I love the colors in this one. I'd replace the board/batten and do this horizontal cedar or cedar look planks.
bring in blacks and charcoals. stone is optional. you could always do stucco
Landscaping ideas
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images