skip to main content

Design Dilemma Exterior The Old House

How would you improve the exterior of this Garrison Colonial?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Garrison needs a makeover. Would like opinions on traditional or modern designs that you think might improve the curb appeal.

Featured Answer

Kelly
Original Author

3 years ago

@tozmo1 @Denita thank you. We are in the process of taking out 4 large trees in the front yard (they are unstable and causing drainage issues). I agree landscaping should improve the look of the home. I've thought about a full porch or just and entryway porch. Then I came across the following garrison that I love. however our overhang is twice as deep so I'm not sure we can achieve the same look.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

tozmo1
3 years ago
It's a lovely home and a yard with a lot of potential. Wide variety of opinions on styles that make a house traditional or modern. Can you post a few inspiration pics? You don't have anything in your ideabooks so hard to give constructive ideas without a place to start from.

Search "Garrison Colonial Exterior" or "Garrison Colonial Exterior modern" on Houzz and post a few pictures you like. Have fun!
Kelly thanked tozmo1
Denita
3 years ago
It is a lovely home. To me, the landscaping needs updating. Post in the landscape subforum for some great ideas.
Kelly thanked Denita
Related Discussions
1960's Colonial Exterior Remodel - How would you update this look?
Q
Comments (13)
Use the budget now to put get a landscape plan, and plan the trees and shrubs as soon as you can in your climate. The trees and shrubs are the only improvement that gets better (larger) every year on its own, so it's the first thing that should go in. You already have a good start although you may prefer a more natural look in your shrubs, rather than those clipped ball shapes. Hardscape (walkways etc.) can go in after the plants. Nice house. Is it brick all around or just at the front? I'm not a fan of the white bricks in your mix. I would paint or stain them a darker color to blend in. Your garage should be a color closer to the brick. If the front door is wood, don't paint it.
...See More
Merge old garrison colonial house with new addition!?!
Q
Comments (7)
"Look like a carnival"; I'm going to use that. Traditionally double hung windows had counter-weights to have the sashes operate properly. Those counter-weights took up space beside each window in the wall. When modern double hung windows are mulled together without the space between them that would be required in a traditional double hung window, they give the house a more modern look. A subtle detail but it contributes to the look of a house. So for a more traditional look separate the original house second floor double hung windows by approximately eight inches, or a larger distance similar to the addition. For those changes and the others, I would recommend engaging a local architect versed in traditional residential architecture.
...See More
Garrison Colonial Exterior Help - Windows/Siding
Q
Comments (11)
I never like black and navy together so white windows and the bonus is they cost less.Good call on the shutter removal and IMO a much nicer front door in a color would be good.Of course the landscaping and right now until you decide to do a porch all across the front I would do window boxes on the lower windows , you should probably get a mock up of how the windows will handle wider trim since the top can’t have that done and BTW make sure all the windows are the same and if you want a bit more modern look forget the grids. You could still decide a lighter color for the siding and then the black windows it will then have more of a modern farmhouse loo
...See More
Exterior Facelift for Garrison Colonial
Q
Comments (2)
What you have planned will go a long way! I would definitely remove the shutters but then beef up your window trim size. I would also add a larger column to the front porch. I see you painted the garage side door to match the entry door. However, I would paint the side-door and garage to match the siding --You don't want to highlight these, but rather make them blend in. I also think larger beautiful exterior lights will add a lot to your home. I've also loved arbors over garage doors, which I think will add a nice architectural element to your home.
...See More
ptreckel
3 years ago
Can you post a photo of your home straight on from the front?
Kelly thanked ptreckel
Kelly
Original Author
3 years ago
houssaon
3 years ago
I think some decorative trim around the front door and the adjacent windows will improve the entry. Paint the front door an interesting color.

In addition to taking down the unstable trees, get rid of the spindly tree with the ivy on it. Remove all ivy, which is thug plant and banned from sale in many states. The foundation planting planting near the house is a bit too high and sparse. I would hand prune it.
Kelly thanked houssaon
Denita
3 years ago
Love your inspiration pic OP. It looks like you could do the improvements that houssaon mentions to get to your insp
Kelly thanked Denita
tozmo1
3 years ago
Yikes! Removing four large trees? Hope you have some budget left. :-( I think you can achieve your inspiration pic. Love how the paint on your brick has weathered off. Re the azaleas, once you cut down the trees, you should have more light. Cut the azaleas practically to the ground and they will come back in a few years to full bushes again. If not, then start over. Spraying them for azalea scale once they are back will help them thrive.

Lots of fun projects ahead for you.
Kelly thanked tozmo1
Liza Gaponov
2 years ago
We added farmers porch to the front of our house, cut all trees in front of it. Now house looks much larger and hides overhang.

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Renovation Ideas: Playing With a Colonial’s Floor Plan

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Make small changes or go for a total redo to make your colonial work better for the way you live

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Renovations Modernize a 1970s New Jersey Colonial

By Becky Harris

Better access to a great yard, an opened-up interior and family-friendly features improved this home for a Princeton family

EXTERIORS Houzz Call: Show Us Your Home’s Exterior Makeover

By Erin Carlyle

Have you improved the curb appeal of your house? If so, we’d love to see the before-and-after

EXTERIORS 10 Ways to Bring Charm to Your Home’s Exterior

By Laura Gaskill

Give your facade, driveway or garage doors a more appealing look to make a strong first impression

KITCHEN MAKEOVERS Kitchen of the Week: Addition Opens Up a Colonial

By Becky Harris

An architect separates the cook space from the kid space in this light and bright Massachusetts kitchen

COLORFUL HOMES My Houzz: A 1904 Georgian Colonial Gets a Personal Stamp

By Hoi Ning Wong

Art with a sense of humor rubs elbows with 17th-century features in a 7-bedroom home in a tony Silicon Valley neighborhood

CURB APPEAL 8 Amazing Home Exterior Transformations

By Samantha Schoech

Witness the facelifts, paint jobs and other changes that turned these homes from drab to fab

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Goodwill and Good Taste in a Grand Colonial

By Mary Prince Photography

Welcoming the community for charity fundraisers and more, this Massachusetts home radiates graciousness

EXTERIORS 7 Exterior Makeovers Show How Details Matter

By Bryan Anthony

These dramatic before-and-after photos could inspire your own exterior update

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Whole-House Remodeling Suits a Historic Colonial

By Becky Harris

Extensive renovations, including additions, update a 1918 Georgia home for modern life while respecting its history

Sponsored

EK Interior Design

5 Reviews

TIMELESS INTERIOR DESIGN FOR ENDLESS MEMORIES

More Discussions

Hardwood floor transition piece

4

Bathroom beadboard base moulding

9

Crown moulding or IKEA deco strip - views?

5

what is estimated cost to build a commertial building in florida?

0

bead board options

3