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Paint Design Dilemma DIY

Need help! Front Exterior "facelift"

3 years ago

We JUST bought this house and are looking for some ideas to update the front exterior. In the near future, we will be enclosing the covered deck above the garage and redoing the driveway. But in the meantime, we are hoping to spruce up the front. I am thinking of staining the pillars in front and painting the front door and garage the same color. Please help with any color suggestions or ideas to "spruce" up our home.

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Comments (10)

PRO
Creative Visual Concepts, Kevin Strader
3 years ago
First thing that I see is the corbels. They really don't fit this style house so I would do away with those. Next would be getting rid of the green paint. I would paint it the same color as the siding. I would also paint the garage door the same as the siding so it's not as noticeable. Then pick a color you like for the front door to make it a focal point. I also wouldn't stain the columns, just paint them white like the trim. You could wrap them and make the look a bit more substantial since they are so tall. After that put some money into landscaping. The vertical siding on the gables would look better horizontal but that's something you can fix later on.

If you're interested in seeing some virtual makeovers of your home check out my web site, Creative Visual Concepts.
Mount Oceania thanked Creative Visual Concepts, Kevin Strader
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
May be cedar/wood?
Mount Oceania thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
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I agree that this is a landscaping issue, but would also suggest that the railing around the porch roof is not a positive feature, especially since it is obvious there is no access through that window. I would remove the railing detail. I would also remove the shutters from the double window upstairs on the right. Pop your front door with brass hardware and a brass kickplate. I don't see any lights on your porch. Can you remedy that? Replace the tan urns with larger ones in black or charcoal that stand on a foot like shown above but much larger. Fill with a bonsai twist evergreen covered with some tiny battery operated lights. For the season, surround the base of the urns with low pots of red poinsettias. IMO, your white trim is just a bit too bright and contrasting, but you can always change that next time you paint.
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Thanks so much for all of these ideas! I've already pruned the rhodo significantly and am working on the Japanese laurel (I think it will need to be removed completely as its base is only a foot from the foundation). Planning to add a box wood to the left of the door and do some edging soon. @simplynaturalLove your ideas. Interestingly, there were blue shutters on the house when we bought it (see picture) but I took them down because I didn't like the blue. I agree the black looks much better, especially if we go with a gray roof. @housegal200We actually have 2 Japanese maples in the front! Old picture from the summer added to show the more mature one. Is this what you were thinking?
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houssaon
3 years ago
Both of those gables look like they were added on. Any chance of them being removed?
Mount Oceania thanked houssaon
Rachel Lee
3 years ago
I would seriously consider getting rid of the front gable and awkward pillars. A lower portico would shelter the door, that just looks ridiculous.
Mount Oceania thanked Rachel Lee
arcy_gw
3 years ago
What houssaon shows with Rachel's lower portico!
Mount Oceania thanked arcy_gw
Bette P
3 years ago
houssaon nailed it. As soon as I saw your photo I thought of this amazing before and after on Houzz. Remove the gables and the posts.
Mount Oceania
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you all! It's quite a challenging design. I will see if the gables can be removed. As of right now, I don't think the pillars can be removed...I need to have a "professional" look at it.
ulisdone
3 years ago
The two front facing gables and columns can all be removed; they are add-ons. The large gable/portico partially covering the bay window looks extremely awkward and is architecturally just wrong. Someone had a Gone with the Wind fetish.
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
3 years ago
I like an idea of removing columns
RedRyder
3 years ago
Yes, you need an architect or contractor to tell you why those long sticks are in front of your house. I suspect they are holding up the added on table over the front door. They are terribly distracting, so if they can come down, your house will be able to breathe better. I love Celery’s last vision for your house! ^ ^

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