Split level exterior makeover

3 years ago

It's time for new replacement windows and a new exterior paint job, which means we get the opportunity for a bit of a makeover on this 1965 split. (Not shown in the photo is a one-story addition that attaches to a 2-car garage. But this side of the house is the one I would like some advice on.)

1. Now that you can get vinyl windows in a range of colors, I'd love to choose something that adds to the curb appeal. Any ideas? Also, I'm open to changing the style of windows - no need for them all to be double-hung. Doing picture windows or something else could be really pretty. I don't know much about windows, so I'd welcome any suggestions.

2. The orangey brick. Paint it, cover it with fieldstone? That's probably too expensive for us. Paint it but use a different color than the color used on the wood shingles? Use a stone facade? Stucco?

3. Paint color ideas for the wood shingles? This house is in a tranquil wooded setting and I'm drawn toward the gray/green with darker-olive-accents look. Something natural and woodsy would be ideal.

4. The landscaping. Those bushes. They have become overgrown since this photo was taken. Any suggestions? What would you do?

We don't have a large budget to work with, so I'd love to find ways to make the money that we already have to spend, on exterior painting and window replacements, to go towards updating the look of this house. Our style is transitional and we love nature and the woods.

Thanks in advance! Can't wait to read your ideas!

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JudyG Designs

3 years ago

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/split-level-house-36659333

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Comments (11)

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Sabrina Alfin Interiors
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Lose the shutters. Go with black windows and black siding, or black windows and a darker sage green than you have now. Look at the photos below for the color combination, not the style of the house.

This photo shows how black and brick work well together:

Magnolia Residence 03 · More Info

And here's a dark green/gray house with black windows.

Home on the Plains - Magnolia Journal Feature Project · More Info
Alison S thanked Sabrina Alfin Interiors
Alison S
Original Author
3 years ago
Yes! I forgot to mention that we will definitely be saying goodbye to the shutters.

Thanks for the photos - I love the colors in both of them. I agree that black windows are the way to go. Or a dark clay color. I've posted some of my inspiration photos below. I'm a little bit nervous to experiment with colored vinyl (if we hate it, we won't be able to replace it) - but some of the darker colors look so classy! The first house here has actually used red windows, and it looks great! (I realize that these houses probably don't have vinyl windows, but that's what we will be getting, so I'm just going to look at the colors and not worry about the material.)

Also, I checked and it turns out that the orange brick is actually just a façade. So I'm definitely going to look into replacing it. I will also be removing some bushes and doing some new landscaping eventually.
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Some suggestions... 1. I would extend the wood siding down to the ground in front and paint it black. This simplifies the facade and helps to make it feel more modern, and contrasts with the brick. It makes it feel crisp. 2. Either flatten the bay window or make it a box bay and extend the black aluminum surround to the bottom windows. This further simplifies the facade and brings in and architectural element. 3. Update the door with a more modern version to match the modern asthetic of the rest of the house. 4. Remove the shutters. They don't match the more MCM style of the house. 5. When it's time to replace the roof, go with black shingles. It will help with more contrast. 6. Landscape, landscape, landscape. Here is what it could look like...
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There's a strict school of thought that shutters should only be used on window styles that would historically have had shutters that actually open and close. And that any non-operating shutters should still be wide enough that they would close if they could. My view is that shutters can be a purely decorative element, free from these rules, and still look good. So I would leave your shutters, because your upper windows are relatively small compared to the size of the space they are in, and the shutters make them look more proportional to the space. I think they're just the right size. So then I'd also leave the shutters on the windows below them. I'd remove the shutters on the larger window on the porch. Whatever siding colour you choose, I'd go with a medium tone - neither a very dark colour that could look overwhelming, nor a very light one that would pop out. Use the same colour to "paint out" the contrasting belly band between brick and siding, and also paint out the corner edge pieces on the siding (can't remember what they are called). Your front door is beautiful and perfect with your brick. Congratulations on your lovely home.
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ptreckel
3 years ago
I am a bit confused. Aren’t you keeping the shingled siding that is on your home and painting it? You refer to vinyl siding. Where is it located? Or are you planning on replacing your wood shingles with vinyl siding? Why?
Alison S
Original Author
3 years ago
Sorry for being confusing. I am definitely keeping the wood shingles, and will be painting them. There is no vinyl siding, but I will be doing a window replacement soon, and I expect that I will use vinyl windows. Finally, the brick you see in the photo is actually a facade, so I am thinking about replacing that as well. So I'll be making three changes and I'm interested in feedback about all three:

1. Suggestions for paint and trim colors?

2. Should I try out black vinyl windows? Or maybe another color? Everyone does white around here, so I'm a little nervous to try something different.

3. Suggestions for what to do with the dated, orange brick facade? I might just replace it with a stone facade but I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks!
Aurelia Paige
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Man, I never liked this kind of split level exterior designs. That doesn't look...harmonious, I just do not like that. It does not mean that it is something bad, it is just my own opinion, and my own tastes. I really like when you can mention the symmetry, in this case it looks even more beautiful. I am not saying that you cannot find some buildings that lack symmetry in their design, and actually look beautiful. Mainly, it depends on the facade. Every time someone asks me for a good company that could actually make a great facade, I only recommend, cprfacadeupgrades.com.au as they are actually really great.
PRO
Beth H. :
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
this is prob my favorite split redo

I know you don't have a front facing garage, but you could still do this

this one is almost identical to yours. looks so much better

https://porch.com/projects/thomas-exterior-update-1

look at the before photo here^

I say, go for broke and do a modern make over!

both of these lean a lot more modern. I love the addition of the composite wood siding

this one had painted brick lower, vertical siding upper, dark windows, and landscaping.

similar style to yours except both sides are bump out. I don't necessarily like the ledger stone in place of the brick, but it's an option. they did the composite cedar shake instead of siding.
PRO
JudyG Designs
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Budget chat: what is wrong with the windows? Windows are not cheap. Changing the size of the windows means even more money out of the budget.

If new ones are needed, how about black? I would still keep the white trim.

Choose one color you love and paint the orange brick and the clapboard the same color. No shutters! They don’t fit the windows. Front door and the storm door should be painted one accent color. Also, don’t paint the exterior lower level differently than the upper. It exacerbates the “split look”.

Do not panic! Look past the bushes, etc to see my idea. Working with your pale green roof, I would go with a dark gray, keeping windows and trim white.

Thinking a bright green front door with the gray and white trim (notice the black replacement in this photo with white trim).

Focus is on front door…body of house is constant, as is trim. Windows and front door rule.
PRO
JudyG Designs
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Aurelia Paige, I see you are new to houzz, as you have only made one (this) comment.

As a long time houzzer, I would advise you to address the dilemma.

Random negatives do not accomplish a thing.

What are your favorite exterior color combos? Your suggestions would give the OP some ideas.

Come on…join in.
Alison S
Original Author
3 years ago
Great article, JudyG! So many of the points they made are spot on. In fact, we *are* using this split level to form a multigenerational household. My parents own the house. My husband and I (and our two kids) are buying it from them. We are going to live upstairs, and my parents are going to live in the in-law apartment (an addition, which is not pictured in the photo), downstairs. The layout is ideal for us.

I really appreciate your ideas about the exterior. I think that I'm going to use your idea of painting the brick and the shingles the same color, to create a cohesive look and not draw attention to the "split" features. The shutters are definitely going to go.

As for the color choice of the paint: I have been told that the roof is super old, and in need of replacement. My parents are also strongly advising that we replace all the windows, because they, too, are very old and drafty. So with so many projects/expenses coming up, I want to view this as an opportunity to make some thoughtful design choices and update the look of the house.

We haven't met with the window vendor yet, or even decided if we want to go with wood vs. vinyl windows. I just got excited by the idea of being able to use a color other than white, to give the house a cool, well-designed look. But I'm not actually sure if black will look good in this particular house.

Thanks again for all your suggestions and comments! I'll keep you updated!
PRO
JudyG Designs
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
When we bought this 1976 downsize house, everything had to be updated We took it down to the studs, which gave us the opportunity to deal with old wiring, and install new insulation. All windows were replaced and we went with Andersen 400 series. Chose black with new white clapboards. What you can’t see is the muntins. The bays were replaced with three windows, 2/1. side windows, 2/1 and the full view front door is 2/2.

I’ll post a photo of before and after. (After was 5 years ago, so landscaping was just at the beginning stage). I should take a photo of the front in June…I went with a Japanese look.

NICKERSON HOUSE · More Info

NICKERSON HOUSE AFTER · More Info