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Landscape Design Design Dilemma Exterior

Exterior reno ideas- 70s split level

4 years ago

Hello! We are finally ready to modernize our exterior. We have been told the painted brown cedar and brick are in good shape, so we would like to re-use if possible. Perhaps add some interest by adding some new materials, like panels, natural cedar or other? Likely taking out some trees in front and adding a patio area. Any color or material suggestions?

THANKS for your help!

Featured Answer

PRO

Yardvaark

4 years ago

Comments (8)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
IMO this is a modern exterior , I would like to see the front door area. Maybe take pictures with better lighting.
PRO
Yardvaark
4 years ago
You could definitely benefit from an improved, widened walk to the front door and an expanded landing. I can't see that the home needs any new materials or features added to it. But it sure could use improved colors as the existing ones are ominous and somber looking to me.

When you want landscape suggestions, you need to take new photos where the camera is not farther away than the curb. Take a series of slightly overlapping photos that pan from far left to far right. 180* ... the front corners of the lot should show in first and last photos. Surroundings have to be seen in order to know what landscaping requires. Also, do not change camera locations between photos. They must all be from the same spot.
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The shrubs that block sight lines to the front door need to be removed. Can you add photos? The one you have is a good overview, but doesn’t give enough detail. Stand about 30’ straight out from the front door and turn your body so you are facing the left property line. Take a series of photos from the same place by rotating your body to create a set of slightly overlapping photos that span from the left property line to the right property line. We need to be able to see location of first floor windows, existing beds, walkways, front entry, etc.
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I'm someone who has always loved the look of painted brick. I think painting brick and siding pulls a house together. It also give a more clean and current appearence, in my opinion. I know a ton of people say it adds maintanence but nowadays it is minimal if you use the right product. Look for a product like romabio (other options exist) and you wont have to worry much about it. Here are some other examples of painted brick paired with siding: I would also suggest some landscaping be done. I think it would really draw more attention to your home and compliment it nicely.
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First, remove all the decor items from the house and yard. Since you opted to paint the brick, picking the gray was a good move. Paint the siding on the ground floor to match the brick. Remove the shutters; the siding may be discolored compared to what's been protected behind them, so plan a power wash and possibly new paint. Remove the carpet on the steps, paint the railings and your front door black. A tear out of the overgrown and straggly shrubbery will improve the house, and you may find new areas needing paint. Take photos to a local nursery that has knowledgeable people to help you select new plants that will thrive in your locale. Be sure to enlarge the bed under the bay window and add a curve to it that replicates what's above it. Looks like new HVAC is in your future. Unless you have pets or small children who play in the back yard, I would remove the CLF. It is industrial or farm fencing and is the one item that lowers the value of a home. Can the BB hoop and trash bins be moved to the back of the home so they don't contribute to the unsightliness of the home. You'll be surprised at how much curb appeal can be added with a simple cleanup of junky stuff that should not be features of a well maintained home.
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If you're going to paint your brick, I'd consider doing it a darker color rather than white so that the roof blends better. Painting the brick white will end up emphasizing the mansard. Maybe this is a bit counterintuitive, but I'd also consider removing the bushes in front of the first floor of the mansard section. Because they are concealing the brick, they're contibuting to the top-heavy feeling. To add more visual interest to the main part of your house, I would bulk up the column holding up your porch, and maybe do more than one. I would also add some decorating casing around the windows on the first floor to draw the eye down. If you're not going to have a garage, I agree with the suggestion of moving the driveway and I would create a "parking court" in front of the front door, but with gravel or oil-and-stone rather than asphalt.
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PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
4 years ago
I'm not crazy about the color of your garage door if all the siding stays the same color.

I would head in this direction for your home, but it will be hard with the black roof to do anything but gray with the red brick.
skru33
Original Author
4 years ago
That is gorgeous. We think we will stain the brick
skru33
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks! We are open to new stone or staining the brick. Siding color will definitely change.
skru33
Original Author
4 years ago
Some more photos... hoping to go modern and would like to use some existing materials to be environmentally friendly but willing to change up elements. Do not want it to look totally lipstick on a pig!
skru33
Original Author
4 years ago
Great ideas! Thank you!!! Will definitely improve this!

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