Awesome house but IMO you work on the inside first then the exterior. I have no idea what you mean by drywall and metal roof on the green house type addition. IMO that is something to decide as you work on the interior. IMO this house is in my mind more art deco than contemporary so I would be researching those styles before making huge decisions about the exterior Please no vinyl siding on this really awesome house .These are art deco homes and hopefully you see the connection to yours before doing anything to the exterior.

Thanks! The exterior is in pretty bad shape and needs replacing before winter! So we have to finish the exterior first. The house also needs new windows. The glass "greenhouse" type enclosure on the front of the house is leaking and can't be saved so we will be enclosing that part of the kitchen with drywall and roof.

I'd stick with all vertical siding-- like trees growing up. And I'd look for a drift-woody colour to fit your lakeside setting. And lastly, I'd want something like Hardiboard rather than vinyl or aluminum.

You have a gem. Be sensitive to its history and it will shine again.

Good idea for color blocking. The current cedar siding is too damaged to use. With all the cylinder shapes on the house, we are limited on what we can use. Hardiplank can't be used around the rounded shapes. I am not a stucco fan. We have talked to numerous siding people and are limited to cedar again, a commercial metal house look, or vinyl to cover the rounded curves. The humidity is really hard on the exterior wood and we are hesitant to use it again.

The ivy will go. We just bought the house and it will take some time to get the landscaping started.

Wonderful house and setting! I’d stick as closely as possible to the original colors and materials, and not try to remake this gem. Is cedar prohibitively expensive or not durable enough to replace? Can it be sealed to better tolerate the humidity? The idea of vinyl makes my teeth itch.

I know what you mean about vinyl. We concerned that cedar is not durable enough for the humid location- we get cold weather in the winter and hot, humid in the summer. Plus on the water. The cedar has not held up well. Really a challenge to come up with the best exterior! IT is almost next to impossible to find a real cedar siding installer - most do large planks but now tung and groove needed for the vertical rounded sides.

I love the white. The architecture is already extra so don't overwork color. Keep it minimal. I would also keep the siding orientation consistent throughout. Cool place!

Good luck. Hope you come up with a solution which optimizes both form and function.

Thanks!

Just another thought. Can you use HardiePlank for most of the house and stucco the curved areas? If you are considering color blocking, two different materials would work.

As a result of all the advice and suggestions - I am getting a quote on having the cedar siding replaced or repaired in some spots and the whole house restained. New landscaping will help a lot - especially once the large dead ivy-covered tree has been removed! Thanks, everyone for the suggestions.