skip to main content

Paint Design Dilemma Exterior

Exterior Design for a 1924 Bungalow

3 years ago

Our beautiful 1925 Bungalow needs a facelift. The house currently has cedar shingles that range in color due to wear (shingles are ~7 years old). There is a detached garage with red/brown brick. The large foundation (that is quite visible) is grey. The trim is currently cream color and peeling. The house is situated under two large trees so seeking to maintain a natural feel. Should we try to preserve the natural wood with a powerwash and sealant? (This is New England and probably should have sealed the shingles long ago). If we keep with the natural cedar, what color roof is best that will also go with the grey foundation and brick garage? OR do we paint the shingles and pick a new trim accent color? Any traditional bungalow color combinations that folks would recommend? (including roof color please). Thank you!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
IMO those cedar shingles in a humid climate are a never ending amount of upkeep You have what I would call a craftsman exterior and IMO a nice siding would be a better choice .This is a nice look and since the garage is brick you coul do brick on the foundation to tie the 2 together

If you deside to do the brick this is anice color with brick
Anna (6B/7A in MD)
3 years ago
Sage green siding with deep red muntins and sash would be perfect. I would very much recommend that you look at books on bungalow-style architecture and take a look at American Bungalow magazine.
Related Discussions
Bathroom addition and layout for 1924 bungalow
Q
Comments (12)
Desertsteph, that's an interesting idea about a second door directly from the master bedroom. One hangup might be the fact that our upstairs only has a seven foot ceiling height throughout (very standard for our vintage bungalow). Right where the back wall of the unfinished bedroom is it starts sloping down into the attic space. I don't think we would have the headspace for a door on the east side of the new gable, and we would have to widen the gable quite a bit to put a door where the attic door is planned and have it enter the bathroom. But I'll look at a carefully and make sure there isn't a way to squeeze it in. The changing tables say they are 37" tall, but I think that's to the top of the (removeable) rails, so the actual top may be 34" or 35". KMCG, I hadn't thought of kitchen cabinets as vanities. They are certainly easier to find used or discounted than bath vanities. Great price on the pieces you found! I'll keep my eyes out if we decide on a large single vanity or the changing tables don't work out. Hollysprings, I respect your ability to think outside the box. However, we really like our house as it is, other than the bathroom situation. It will only take a few LVL beams to support the gable on the loadbearing walls below; cantilevering adds nothing but a little length to those beams. I can't see how a much larger shed roof dormer would cost less or be simpler. Maybe I'm not understanding the situation, but it seems as though reframing the entire back side of the house, reroofing, exterior sheathing and siding, subfloor and flooring, all would be significantly more in quantity than what we are currently planning.
...See More
Help With Our Bungalow Exterior
Q
Comments (6)
We're also building a bungalow with Craftsman styling and appear to be just a step ahead of you in the schedule. I was unhappy with the look of our dormer about a week ago. The plan called for the dormer windows to take up pretty much the entire front of the dormer, not the little windows with lots of trim you see here. Fortunately, I found that the columns, porch rail, and foundation planting drew the attention back down to the lower portion of the house and made the small dormer windows less noticeable. (Or maybe I've just gotten used to them!) I suspect that you will also be happier with the overall look of your home when the columns, plantings, etc. bring the attention back down to your lovely stained door and brickwork. 'Muddy' or 'earthy' paint colors would help you achieve a more traditional bungalow look. I like the light yellow you've selected, but it does seem to be more of cottage color than a bungalow color. Also, using a slightly darker color on the shingled dormer portion might help it receed a bit. Alternatively, 'embrace the cottage!'. The columns and trim on the other home in your neighborhood are very nicely proportioned to the house. Light yellow paint, crisp white trim, some climbing vines and pots of annuals on the front steps... charming! One more thought... I'm guessing that there will be a gutter along the front of the dormer. That will take up a small amount of that visual space between the top of the dormer windows and the roofline. Enjoy your new home!
...See More
Updating Exterior of Rancher Bungalow
Q
Comments (31)
So I hope you are convinced of how beautiful your home is. My favorite change is the wooden door. It draws you into the home. The paint tone change works, but there is strong argument here to consider landscape professionals. Both are expensive, and you will have to choose what’s the most important to you. I want to put the word in for a slight landscape change in the front right left corner that leads to the front door. There are so many simple ideas online to get you started, and since the grass and what you have now is so well established, the grass can be cut out of where you put the plants. Drive or walk in a neighborhood that you like to get an idea of what you like. These pictures can get you started.
...See More
50's bungalow with 70's 2 story addition - exterior design help wanted
Q
Comments (3)
I actually like the arch and brick detail, although I do understand houssaon’s POV and it’s good to see different possibilities. I think I would keep the brick arch and restore as much brick as possible and maybe bring in a bit of wood detail, also. Is you would like to see how different ideas could work on your house, I recommend this company. https://www.houzz.com/pro/uoflcardfan77/creative-visual-concepts-kevin-strader
...See More
decoenthusiaste
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Switch to siding with just a "nod" to cedar shakes in the gables.
Detailed Craftsman Home · More Info

Craftsman Bungalow · More Info
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
The traditional stain color for these shingles was dark brown- they actually used old motor oil to stain the shingles (both clever and terrifying). So if you want an authentic look repaint your trim off white and use a solid color stain on the shingles in ‘black fox’ or similar. Otherwise you can really do whatever you want- it’s a great looking house. Are you just tired of the brown and want a major change?
apple_pie_order
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Dark brown roof or "weathered wood" gray-brown roof. For the 7-year-old shingles, ask the manufacturer what kind of sealant and maintenance they recommend for your geographic area. In my area, terracotta red-orange and sage green is a popular combination with brown.
Jill K
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you all so much for these comments. Beyond helpful already. There is a tiny part of our house that the previous owner never finished shingling. It is exactly that dark, dark brown so may have been the original siding - fascinating about the motor oil! It just looks very dark and "old" now so the more I read these notes the more I think a change with some kind of natural color would be a good shift ...
Tiny J
3 years ago
LOVE the shingles, I can’t imagine covering those with siding. It would take it from a fabulous historic look to a same old same old any neighborhood anywhere new construction look. I think it looks great, but agree with Anna’s suggestion to check out American Bungalow magazine if you are considering any changes, it’s a terrific resource.

Related Stories

MY HOUZZ My Houzz: Boho Design in a Colorful 1927 Bungalow

By Alexandra Crafton

A first-time buyer’s eclectic, collected style comes together in this Portland, Oregon, home

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD Bungalow-Style Family Home Designed to Create Community

By Rebecca Gross

This house in Australia was remodeled to support and inspire connections between family, friends and the community

EXTERIOR COLOR 5 Exterior Palette Options for 1 Modest Bungalow

By Jennifer Ott Design

Bold and bright, or soft and subtle: See this home get a virtual color makeover

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Casual, Thoughtful Design for a 1920s Bungalow

A couple turn a neglected, run-down home into a charming, comfortable place to raise their 4 children

TRENDING NOW 4 Outdoor Design Ideas From Spring 2020’s Most Popular Exteriors

By Annie Thornton

If you’re looking to add style or function to the outside of your home, consider these examples from top recent photos

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Modern Bungalow’s Reverse Floor Plan Highlights Views

By Camille LeFevre

A kitchen, great room and outfitted deck make the top floor of this Los Angeles house the place to be

TILE World of Design: How Modern Geometric Designs Are Reinventing Cement

Intricate and eye-catching, the patterns of today’s cement tiles mark a break with their past while preserving an age-old technique

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Renovated Spanish Bungalow in Anaheim

By Shelley Gardea - Flea Market Sunday

A cozy but neglected 1924 California home near Disneyland gets a polished new look and a sleek patio

REMODELING GUIDES Houzz Tour: Turning a ’50s Ranch Into a Craftsman Bungalow

With a new second story and remodeled rooms, this Maryland home has plenty of space for family and friends

MY HOUZZ My Houzz: Charming Update for a 1920s Bungalow in Salt Lake City

Travel-inspired style and new finishes help the original character shine through in this designer’s home

Sponsored

More Discussions

Kitchen dilemma!

22

Accent Color Advice

17

exterior paint color

0

Black and white stairs

1

Help ID’g Sherwin Williams Color Match

1