Advice on exterior update of our new home

3 years ago

We recently purchased this home. The interior has had an entire make-over and is super modern and contemporary. Unfortunately, to our eye the outside doesn't have much curb appeal. The cement fiber siding and windows are all new. We are scheduled for a new roof, soffit and gutters.

We are not in love with the stone on the front and the porch posts. Also the porch feels closed in. It goes without saying that we need to make a serious investment in landscaping.

We're pulling our hair out! So, what to do!! Should we remove the stone? Try a new exterior color scheme? New roof color?

Any and all suggestions welcome and appreciate. Thank you!

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Comments (5)

PRO
Beth H. :
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I think you're on the way to more of a modern look. you have the windows and the posts.

Maybe a metal roof or a charcoal shingle?

you could paint or remove the stone, your choice. (Romabio if you want to paint over it)

you could do a board / batten type of siding. (or you could bring in some composite wood on one portion if you want more modern)

Here are some examples.

more farmhouse style

you could wash your stone in a white/gray tone an do dark trim or siding and a roof

black stone? Romabio masonry paint.
Jim Pike
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for the ideas Beth. What are your thoughts about removing the stone/light wood porch posts and installing new posts that are painted? I keep thinking that the stone doesn't work because of the light paint color on the house. I'm wondering about changing the porch posts, repainting the cement fiber siding to a darker taupe and putting in extensive landscaping. ???
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That is a beautiful, classic house. I also like the current color but a more blue-ish green, a gray-ish blue, a buckskin tan, and even dark red are all traditional & classic colors for that style. The addition does need to match. Are you sure that you want a black roof? Black really does increase heat absorption in the summer but doesn't seem to help much in winter. I really noticed the difference after I changed from black to weathered wood, which would look nice on your house and goes with many siding colors ( a brownish gray version - other brands might be more grayish-brown).
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Your landscaping changes look great. In the current photo, the brick and trim look very different (due to lighting and photo quality) than the old pics. Can you get a close-up pic of just the trim and brick in good lighting, as well as the front door? Yes, definitely get beefier posts. Cedar ones might look good with your brick colors. But again, need better pics.
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PRO
Beth H. :
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I actually like the warmer wood tones. adds a bit of warmth and depth. you could always stain them a darker color if you want.

Taupe? why taupe? This??

this is taupe siding.

Sorry, I think that's a horrible choice! taupe will meld into that roof color and just look blah. especially if you remove the stone.

What would you like to see? How about some contrast?

I'd cover the stone w/romabio, and do a composite wood siding over on the far left. then I'd paint the siding a crisp white, do black trim. the cedar posts, it will look great. (but you could also do other shades too. )

what about a dark blue gray siding?

as for the stone, since you want to remove them, why not get a small container of the Romabio and wash them to see what you think?

(and if you really hate it, it washes off w/in 72 hours. Comes in a bunch of colors. If you get the Masonry Romabio, you can have it tinted any color you like)

lime wash is the Classico:
Jim Pike
Original Author
3 years ago
I was thinking that if I left the stone as is then I needed to paint the house a color that better matched it. But wasn't sure how that would work with the roof and black windows.

I love your idea of the composite wood. I'm assuming you think do it on the upper left portion of the house and that it would be the same color as the porch posts? Would I need to remove the new cement fiber on that portion of the house or can it be painted to mimic the composite wood color? I can definitely see the cedar posts tying it all together. I confess I've never heard of Romabio. I like the color of the Antique Limewash in Riposo Beige that you sent. Do you think that works with the white and cedar colored composite? Or would you try to match the Romabio to the white color of the house?

Thanks so much for your thoughts!!
PRO
Beth H. :
3 years ago
The romabio classico comes in quite a few colors. go to their website and see what they offer. you can get a small sample jar and try one of them.

as for the composite wood option, many siding companies have it. James Hardie has many diff options and colors. I think replacing what you have would look best.

research and look at pictures and see what you like. If you look at 'wood siding and stone exteriors' you may find something you like

engineered wood siding

traditional siding w/stone.

James Hardie and Smart Siding. These are just some diff color combos w/stone facades.

if you do paint the stone one solid color, it might give you more opportunity to something w/the siding.

you'll have to research pictures to see what you like.