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The Old House Design Dilemma Exterior

1930 property exterior brick makeover

3 years ago

Hi all,

I need advice on a new property I am looking to purchase. It's in a great location and the interior has been modernised and improved. The exterior, however, looks very tired and starting to look too old.

The property ticks the boxes in most places but would like to know if there are things we can do to the front brickwork that would improve the property's facade and kerb appeal.

One option is to make it look like the newer property in the attached photos but I know that will be very expensive (please see attached images).

Are there anything else that we can do to the brickwork just on the front aspect of the building to improve its looks?

Thank you for your help

--------

The old property I am looking to purchase:

Example idea of what we could turn it to:

Featured Answer

Sammie J

3 years ago

Oh Wow - I love the original so much better than your inspiration!!! It is fabulous!!!

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Comments (17)

PRO
HALLETT & Co.
3 years ago
Your new house is charming, do not remuddle it. I don't like stark white with brick but I assume those are vinyl windows? If not I would paint them off white or olive to soften them. I would be tempted to paint the door unless it is striking in person (currently it looks dark under the porch, might not be so in person).

Do you need all that paving? It looks like a lot but realtors (estate agents?) love a good fish eye lens.
Julius thanked HALLETT & Co.
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post this over in landscape design too. you'll get some visuals from them. personally I think those shrubs are too tall, too round, and the ones by the front entrance need to go. they detract from the beauty of that brickwork. at the very least, yank the two on either side of the front steps. post a pic of the house over in landscape design and the garden forum, and hopefully DigDougDesigns will show you how it could look. consider doing the flower beds like this, with more purple flowers/grasses as for the door, stop looking and do this color. a deep Aubergine tried to take out the bushes so you can see what it can look like or a lighter purple shade. I like the purples because they go well w/your brick. or find a warm, wood door w/windows. do a wood garage door, carriage style.
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Julius
Original Author
3 years ago
@HALLETT & Co.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Yea they are vinyl windows. The door isn't striking in person - I find it rather dull. So definitely going to replace it.

The pavement is actually quite big and we only need space for one car so open to making changes to the paved area too.
Julius
Original Author
3 years ago
@Sammie J thank you. We also like the property's originals but I feel it needs to light up a little bit while retaining most of the originals.
Janette Price
3 years ago
I think before you jump on making changes - move into it and get a feel for what you really want.
ptreckel
3 years ago
Your brick is beautiful! Don’t change it!!!!! Work on making it the star that it should be. WOW. Your house is what I would aspire for mine to look like!
ptreckel
3 years ago
PS: LOVE your tile roof.
tozmo1
3 years ago
The second photo looks like it wants to be the first photo, if only it had been built with old world craftsmanship. ;-)
PRO
Norwood Architects
3 years ago
It's a pretty awesome property. I honestly think all I would do to it for now is to wash the brick (gently so as not to damage). This one I would not paint the brick. You could freshen up the landscaping. I love the brick pavers but that is a whole lot of hardscape. You might remove some to allow for more planting. Good luck and it really is gorgeous!
housegal200
3 years ago
The brick is stunning! I hope you don't change it. Instead, why not devote your budget to extending the garden bed along the left wall? Add a fountain. Create a hidden courtyard feel to the space. A landscape designer could do amazing things with that space.
eld6161
3 years ago
I’ve never seem brick quite like this.Can it be power washed?
houssaon
3 years ago
I agree with others who suggest not changing the brick. I would upgrade the windows to wood ones so that the frames are thinner.

I like these windows and door much better than yours.
Brick Beauty - private patio · More Info

These large pane casement windows would be perfect.
Braes Heights English Home · More Info

Something like this.
Julius thanked houssaon
User
3 years ago
The brick is wonderful. The home is charming. The white windows are to bright modern for such classic old world brick Im guessing windows replacement would be to expensive ☹️. Play up the landscaping garden put more organic less pavers. Its a beautiful place
Julius thanked User
Julius
Original Author
3 years ago
@houssaon thanks for the design idea on the window
aziline
3 years ago
I love love your new house. The other pic makes me thing "WTF? Is that roofing shingles and brick?" What you have is classic.
Julius
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you all for your suggestions and comments. You have given some good ideas to help us move forward with the property.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
Love the original and hate the mix of the 2 bricks in the other pic and IMO the only thing I would want to change would be the windows and getting rid of all the grid work in those would be IMO an enhancement to the house and if you do it go balck windows

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