Funky Exterior - pls help with curb appeal!
We recently purchased this lovely 1958 ranch style home in Phoenix. We appreciate its unique quirky style, but something about its front exterior seems off to me. We intend to live here for 30+ years, can anyone suggest ways to update and improve its style? Our GC says we can easily remove some of soldier block wall currently acting as a planter on the left side. And my husband would love to remove the brown fireplace blocking the walkway to the carport on the right side. Heck, we could even remove the fireplace and block chimney in the center. This house has five wood fireplaces! Of course we don't want to waste money, but we are willing to invest to make it something we love and are proud of. Maybe all it needs is a new paint job. Thank you for your advice!
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Comments (4)Just FYI olioboard has shut down. Thanks for replying though!...See MoreHelp! How do I improve exterior curb appeal?
Comments (4)No on gables. They don’t fit at all. Embrace the style of this cool house. :) I’d replace that white wood with cedar: Do a search for 1950’s flat roof houses, lots of great images come up. Take a look through here, lots of ideas: https://www.houzz.com/photos/mid-century-modern-flat-roof-ideas-phbr2-bp~t_736~s_2115~a_69-550...See MoreHelp with house color and adding some curb appeal to exterior of house
Comments (4)I dont think the concept of "curb appeal" applies here - is there an actual curb and why would anyone need to have a clear unobstructed view of the house from the street? City and suburb living is about community and connection with neighbors, so there youd want to present an exterior that is inviting, and connects with the neighborhood. But this is very much not that - this is retreat or summer house hideaway. So the "curb appeal" really is in the boardwalk, and the stairs, its very alluring, while the house itself remains semi-hidden. Or you can see lights of the house through the woods - that too can be very enticing. As you walk down the path - you get to the stairs and at top of stairs that's where youd want to present more of an inviting view of the house itself. Or whatever that space is underneath the deck - seems that could be some sort of outdoor living space. But we cant see those areas from the pic so then the question is what would we do with the portion we can see - the approach to the house. Some low voltage pathway lights along the board walk, just enough to illuminate the way, and look into native plantings for under the trees. There's an art to using native plants and creating a lush natural bird and wildlife habitat, but keeping it from becoming too wild or unkempt. I would talk to a lighting consultant re: how you can light the house to look most magical and summery I'm thinking more lantern like, sparkly effects. Certainly no yard lights or anything that shines beams of light up into the sky or sideways into people eyes as they are walking toward the house. Re: the wood, yes keep it wood tone! You could use 3 different stain colors for more visual interest - eg dark charcoal for vertical posts, lighter cedar tones for stair tread/board walk, etc....See More50s Ranch-style Home Exterior Update and Curb Appeal Help
Comments (5)Thank you, both! I certainly understand and appreciate where you are coming from. Waiting has been our mindset for a long time. We have lived here for ten years mostly focusing on saving, doing infrastructure projects, and tackling smaller landscaping projects (it is on 3+ acres and much has been done in the back). It doesn't look like much now (spring has not really arrived where we are) but the beds will be full with plants soon as it warms and we always plant annuals, planters, pots, and baskets. The greenery always does wonders to make it look more welcoming! We have gone back and forth about waiting. Unfortunately, the paint has been slowly running off the house when it rains since we moved in, some places are down to bare aluminum, and the deck has not been done for three years and is in need of painting anyway. We feel like we need to address it now in order to maintain the house and keep from opening ourselves up to bigger issues down the line. Aside from the painting (which we plan to do ourselves) the other projects should not be impacted when we renovate (patio furniture, trellis, steps, etc.). A good chunk of the funds will go toward furniture and based on our budget estimates. The paint and associated supplies will represent a much smaller portion....See MoreJennifer Johnson
3 years ago
PROLisa Caudill Designs
3 years agohere's some moew inspos for you and notice one is a houzz article you would probably be interested in
Jennifer Johnson thanked Lisa Caudill Designs
comelyhomely
3 years agoThe built-in planter boxes on the left and wide interior chimney in the centre are great, do not remove them!!
The rock-cage(?) barrier thing is bad, replace it with a mid-century modern wood fence like this
Ridge Oak remodel · More Info
Having an outdoor fireplace sounds awesome, but that one does look a bit bulky and Flintstones-y. If you can source a sleek MCM model like this it'd be a great replacement.
Jennifer Johnson thanked comelyhomely
PROJennifer Johnson thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
PROSabrina Alfin Interiors
3 years ago@Jennifer Johnson breeze blocks are decorative screens/fencing that were popular on mid-century modern home exteriors and landscaping. They're usually made of concrete and come in lots of geometric patterns. Here are a few examples:
A mid-century modern landscape · More Info
Mid-Century Charm in Vintage Las Vegas · More Info
Las Palmas Oasis · More InfoJennifer Johnson thanked Sabrina Alfin InteriorsJennifer Johnson
2 years agoThank you everyone! We listened and removed the fireplace and rocks...and we think it looks much better.
We loved Lisa Caudill Designs suggestion of Mid-Century Modern white exterior with cedar accent. That’s our next project.
flopsycat1
2 years ago- PRO
Lisa Caudill Designs
2 years ago - PRO
Lisa Caudill Designs
2 years ago 
chiflipper
2 years ago
Karen Heffernan