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Remodeling Design Dilemma Exterior

Ideas for updating this 70's exterior.

last year

Bought this 70's split entry a year ago and are launching into a whole house remodel. What is stumping us is the most attractive way to update the exterior. We're doing all new siding and windows, new front door. We don't like the brick color but don't want to paint it so we'd remove it, or schmear it, we think. Thinking cement board siding for the durability. Trying to get to low maintenance.

We have setback issues so we can only pop out the entry to the front of the original cantilever on the right side of the photo. We can add a tiny portico in front of that if it's wall-hung. We can't turn the stairs but we're thinking concrete or pavers with a minimal railing in the current footprint. Besides landscaping fixes, which will definitely help, any thoughts on how to get the most curb appeal possible since we're investing so much redoing the exterior? We have a great architect, but we're hoping for a wider range of exterior ideas.

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Comments (5)

PRO
Beth H. :
last year
last modified: last year
for a split level, it's actually really nice looking! I think you can do quite a bit.

(Please tell me you're removing that hedge and the huge grave?!)

what color windows are you doing?

love the little seating area where the bench is. you have any ideas for that?

what color is the roof?

Just for color-wise, what do you think about painting (Romabio Masonry Flat) the brick like this, and bringing in the darker bronze or black windows?

One of the designer pro's on here mocked up a similar style like this. (thanks Celery)

I love the gray brick, and the darker charcoal siding. the more modern door. but notice the little sitting area.

you could do this as your border type of barrier against the asphalt.

or maybe a cedar fence

wood slat off to the side?

also love the composite wood siding w/the darker blacks/whites

love this one too

this is a 70's style home done in a black, angled siding. what do you think about darker colors?

another type like yours, sort of. blueish gray w/the wood siding
crlr3
Original Author
last year
Wow! What awesome ideas. We had planned to do white windows just because we've always had white windows, but these ideas are fantastic. Yes, the overgrown hedge, dirt/grave landscaping left by the previous owner will get removed along with the weathered cedar steps/landing in a new scheme. The bench sits on an unattractive orange-ish concrete walkway that has to go so I realize I had jettisoned a sitting area in my head as well. Love the idea of retaining it. I've been more focused on new planting/container ideas, but will bring that and the retaining wall & fence ideas back into my thinking. Shingles are a neutral that reads a mix of gray/dk brown depending on the light. Thank you so very much for taking time to share all these wonderful ideas.
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Comments (60)
Of all the renditions, I like jterrilynn's last one best. It doesn't fight the original 70s contemporary style -- and perhaps is the least expensive option too. One could quibble over the choice of colors, but I think the bicolor scheme with the top color carried over to the pergola & support columns, and pergola top being at the same level, size, & color as with the center trim band are terrific. It's balanced, it's clean lined, it's attractive. The wider trim around the squarish windows and on the sides works really well. I love jterrilynn's placement of the address numbers -- so simple and so effective. Great job, jterrilynn.
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Post this on the home decorating page. I am sure they will give you some great advice. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/decor
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Take the shutters off, your windows are not designed for shutters. Paint the front door a bright color, unless that is a natural wood finish, then leave it. Remove wreath. Get a couple of large planters and fill with bright annuals in one, maximum two colors of your choosing and put them on each side of the entry walk. The siding could stand to be a creamier color, the existing color looks a bit pinkish and the stone looks a bit gold-ish. Need closeups.
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Comments (2)
IMO no shutters , no window boxes neither of those suit the house.I would choose a roof color from the brick and then paint the rest of the siding the same add some white trim around the windows if you like or a bit darker around the windows , a front door with more glass , the garage door the same as the siding.Then some large planters filled with seaonal plantings on either side of the steps. I would also do lower plantings in front of the windows so removing all those taller shrubs that when filled out will hide too much of the lower part of the house.This type of look.
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PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
last year
Some option with pergolas or overhangs
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
last year
last modified: last year
or
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
last year
with dark trim

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