What would you do to modernize this brick exterior?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

I recently bought my house and am wrapping up ripping out all of the old landscaping that was somehow both overgrown and dying, but I'm really stuck at an impasse for what to do with the exterior. I've always been very taken with painted brick houses I see that are either navy or whitewashed, but at the same time, I think that this is a a very lovely shade of brick, and feel like painting over it would be a bit of a waste that I might regret later. If this was your house, what would you do to give it a more modern feel?

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Comments (11)

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JudyG Designs
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Paint the trim/front door white. I would do white on the garage doors, as well. It will show up the paneling nicely. Don’t forget to paint the chimney, too.

Sometime in the future, replace the front door. The oval “leaded” glass window is too Victorian for your house. Lean toward Art Deco:
cat_ky
3 years ago
I would hire a landscaper to come and draw out a plan, and even if you cant do everything right now, you can follow that plan over the period of a couple of years, and end up with beautiful landscaping. Its what your house needs the most. Its a cute house, and I really like the brick. I dont like the color on the garage, and think white there would be better. The chimney looks white already, and if it needs paint, repaint it at the same time. I would leave the door until you can replace it with one that suits your house much better.
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decoenthusiaste
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
With the exception of the garage and front door, and the incongruous keystones and the entry arch, your little home seems to lean very much into mid-century. How much budget do you have to invest in a facelift?
Jensen Yancey
Original Author
3 years ago
I definitely love all things mid century! I don't have much of a budget right now, but am happy to do things piecemeal over the next few years.
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Jennifer Hogan
3 years ago
Paint doesn't cost much and there are great colors that go with red brick.

I would paint and landscape and I think you will love the transformation
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
3 years ago
We must have some very different ideas about what midcentury architecture is because I see nothing with this home that calls out midcentury to me!! MC architecture is typically defined by sprawling, single story homes with very geometric outlines, flat roofs and large expanses of floor to ceiling glass. They also usually like to blend outdoors with indoors. Its a very cute home but MC.......?? I don't think so :-)

I'd also encourage you to invest in the landscaping. The home itself needs little in the way of exterior improvements.
Jensen Yancey
Original Author
3 years ago
Landscaping is actually going to be the higher priority, I just wanted to make the decision on whether the plants would be against a red, navy or white background first. and THANK YOU Jennifer, a lot of those mockups look phenomenal, I'm definitely feeling good about keeping the red brick now.
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decoenthusiaste
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I would make the most of your roof line and rafter tails - play it right and you can have a mini Eichler!
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HU-187528210
3 years ago
I think for now I’d paint the trim black. Or maybe navy.
New doors. Garage and front in the same color. Black or navy. Or wood.
And focus on landscaping I would not paint this brick it’s beautiful and looks brand new.
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calidesign
3 years ago
The brick is great. You just need landscaping, a new front door, and a different garage door color. I like the deeper rock garden color for the door and garage, shown above, with cream trim, but don't forget about also painting the chimney the same color.
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cat_ky
3 years ago
I like Jennifers first and last pictures the best for your house. Really makes a big difference.
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