Need help improving curb appeal for my dark brick home
Moved into our first home earlier this year, and although I really like the interior, I feel the exterior could really use some updating. I am not a big fan of brown brick with brown siding, a brown roof, and a brown garage--just too much brown. On top of that, the porch and landscaping could use some help as well, both of which I plan on working on this spring including possibly planting a tree in the middle of the yard. I am thinking we will eventually get a darker roof and paint the trim and garage a darker color in order to add some contrast. I would appreciate any ideas
because I have not seen a lot of homes with brick as dark as this! Thank you!
Comments (8)
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
chloebud
last yearlast modified: last yearI agree the brick is fine but the shutters need to go. I actually think the current siding color with the roof and brick is nice. Garage door should be the same color to pull focus away from it. You want more focus at your front door/entry area. At some point you might think about a garage door with windows across the top. That can add interest and help break up the "wall." Larger light fixtures for the garage and front door would be nice. As gardengal suggested, beef up the posts and maybe the same for the window trim once the shutters are gone.
Though this is an entirely different house, it gives you an idea of how the sage green gardengal mentioned could work with brown brick (or stone, in this example).
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Need some curb appeal help for brick house
Comments (25)Pretty house. I would add trees and your yard looks big enough to support one or two large shade trees and some understory trees like Appalachian Spring dogwoods (they are disease resistant and the dogwood IS our VA state tree!) or some other flowering trees-can you tell I love trees? I just planted a Vitex (Chaste tree) which flowers in the summer and is oh-so-pretty. I agree that the columns could use some beefing up. You can do this easily by nailing up boards around the existing posts to form a larger box and then paint. To soften that huge expanse of white, maybe leave the edges white (you may want to add a wide trim piece across the bottom) and paint the center of the triangle a softer hue such a taupe or sage that is not a sharp contrast. I would also paint the door. Pick your favorite color! Then, after you live with that for a bit, choose your shutter color. I agree that window boxes are pretty, but they are difficult to maintain and I'm not sure they would really add to your house. One of the best things you can do is take your time. A lot of creative staring can help you decide what you would really like. It can also help you avoid impulsive mistakes and, believe me, I've made my share of those!!! Always remember, it's an adventure and you can go back and change anything. Have fun and enjoy your new place....See MoreMy windowless brick wall house needs curb appeal! Help!
Comments (24)The way I see it, the blank wall has one possibility and that is as a backdrop for a proportionately sized planting arrangement. The most likely possibility of plants that fit would be an arrangement of 3 small, multi-trunk trees (12' height ... made of what would otherwise be known as large shrubs) where two are at the back row (a few feet from the wall) and the third is centered between and in front of them, as a 'front row.' They would be limbed up to half their total height and sitting in a bed of groundcover that is substantial in size. In fact, the bed would also encompass the existing tree. If you'd imagine a 12' circular bed with the existing tree centered in it, that would be a major part of the bed. Then, in line with that same tree, extend the front edge of the bed straight over to the drive and parallel to the house front wall, fine tuning the details as to what makes sense. (Thus, the front-to-back depth of the bed would be roughly equal to the same distance that the tree is in front of the house, where that measurement is made 90* from the house facade.) The multi-trunk trees would be spaced such that the the width of their finished form fits comfortably within the confines of the brick wall width, excluding the entrance area. It seems that an effort is being made to obscure the entrance door. I think this is opposite of what the goal should be. I'd remove whatever screen is in front of it and widen the drive with an abutting walk that goes directly to the entrance area. There ought to be 25 square feet of seasonal color planted left of the entrance door....See MoreHelp - Need design ideas to add curb appeal to red brick home!
Comments (14)"This front is just a mess." That is your first impression. I suggest you live with it for a few months before doing anything. Surely you will change it, but you don't yet know what it's like to live with the existing garden. The experience of it may shift your understanding slightly. mad_gallica said "you have Sun Ra but you want Bach" -- maybe. But maybe you don't know what you have or what you want. Give it time to sink in. What's the rush. No film crew coming, is there? There are philosophies that result in what someone has carefully planned and built in what is now your front garden. It may not be your philosophy, and that's fine, but just "try it on" and spend some time in those "clothes." Then you will come to know not only what you don't want, but you will know WHY and you may even know what you DO want, and why. I don't see it as a maze, but someone in a big hurry undoubtedly sees it that way. In some gardens, indirect paths or spirals are made for meditation or for giving the inhabitant a few extra seconds in the day to smell the roses, or in other words, to appreciate the peaceful feeling a walk through greenery can bring. With combined families, whose garden is it, anyway? ;) Last comment -- when entering the house, you may find you never use the front door, but enter through the garage. If you entertain a lot, a meditation front garden may not be quite the thing. But don't be too hasty. Live with it for a time....See MoreImprove curb appeal and exterior color for 1895 half brick house?
Comments (12)As a few others have indicated, you may be able to get the look you want without painting the brick. Here's a few options that look nice with brick. I know you are planning to paint the doors the same color, but I think raee above was asking about making the actual doors match. I think the one of the right is more in keeping with the age and style of the house. Obviously it won't have the transom but the same kind of door with the 3/4 window would give it some cohesiveness....See More
HU-187528210
last year
decoenthusiaste
last yearchloebud
last yearer612
last yearlast modified: last yearI'd remove the shutters and install more substantial columns. Also paint the garage door and accent above to match the siding...or white...
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