skip to main content

Design Dilemma Other Remodeling

How to fix this ugly house

3 years ago

Wondering what to do about this horrible curb appeal. Obviously new paint. But wondering, what else can be done about this giant, pointless archway that, if removed, leaves an asymmetrical roofline? Wondering what the cheapest options are to most substantially improve the front of the house. The interior is actually mostly fine.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
3 years ago
You could add a window and then eliminate the arch by matching the header on the side of the entranceway. Where is the front door??
tangerinedoor
3 years ago
This house is awesome! Like MCM goes Alamo. I like @BeverlyFLADeziner 's ideas, but I think I would also do something with the garage door. Right now, it looks like a mouth with braces on the upper teeth.
Related Discussions
Any opinions welcome on this. trying to fix an ugly disaster
Q
Comments (5)
Marinewife, the fact that you rent and also rescue dogs limits what you can do with this yard. If you can't contain the dogs' activities with a fenced-in area, this is a no-win landscaping situation. Sorry, but the dogs will pee on, chew at and dig up mulch or whatever you plant, and a lush green lawn just won't happen. Not sure where you live, but you might want to do some research via local nurseries or extension offices to find grass varieties or shrubs for your situation. Meanwhile, if I were you, I'd get some deck boxes for the railings around the deck and design a few small boxes of annuals. Flowers around the edge of that railing might brighten your spirits while you hunt for solutions to your unique situation.
...See More
How can we fix the exterior of our home?
Q
Comments (6)
The TV show Fixer Upper did a house that looked similar to yours. The episode referred to the house as the "Prickly Pear" house. Link: https://magnolia.com/our-show/episode-11-the-prickly-pear-house/ They removed the bushes and trees blocking the house (& the prickly pear cactus near the street) and created dormers & a pergola in front -where your red trees are touching the roof)-Also- they installed 2sets of French doors to the front of the house and removed wall in the kitchen.
...See More
Another ugly house exterior for you to fix...
Q
Comments (13)
OP, just a few comments right now - your house is not "ugly" and I think your inspiration pic with the blue, white + natural wood IMHO is spot on. think you intuitively hit on color, textures, architectural elements that would work with your own house. Notice how both contain many horizontal elements which is a defining feature of midcentury - the horizontal wood screening over the windows in inspiraton pic meshes nicely with your horizontal windows, roofline, etc. The trick is to translate the inspiration to a version that works for you and your budget. I wouldnt rush into anything, show your pics & talk to some local creatives and craftspeople - you might be surprised at what 4 zeros could accomplish. Depending on what it is sometimes custom carpentry can be surprisingly competitive. So excited to see your pics, but then continuing down the thread get hit with a wet blanket of dreary taupe, gray, white, blah. Follow your bliss op - you wont regret it! Oh BTW I think the slate colors (blue-blacks/blue grays/rusts) are beautiful but just cant see where that stone would fit in your landscape in any kind of meaningful way. You might though want to consider it an inspiration pic and translate those slate colors into a color scheme for your exterior.
...See More
Ugly vent hood insert - need ideas on how to fix
Q
Comments (7)
Weedmeister is referring to the ”hood liner”. You need to replace the hood liner, and also buy the insert to fit inside the liner. I am copying from another thread: “The hood surround is the custom cabinet that houses the hood. The hood liner is the fabricated metal housing that the hood insert is mounted into and to which is attached the vent duct that goes to the outside. The hood liner contains the hood insert. The hood insert is comprised of the exhaust motor, lights, controls, and filter(s). The insert is mounted into the liner.” So you need to buy both a new hood insert and a hood liner. Try to get a hoid insert that has baffle filters, not mesh filters. Here is what a good-quality wood surround with hood insert looks like:
...See More
apple_pie_order
3 years ago
How old is the house? Was the front an addition? You can check records at city hall, sometimes by phone instead of in person.
Martha Edwards
3 years ago
Can you post af
Martha Edwards
3 years ago
Can you post a few more pictures? Curious as to what the right side of the house looks like behind that lone plant/tree in the middle of the yard. Where does the path around the side of the house go?
cat_ky
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I like the looks of the house. I do think you could improve a bit, by adding an equal sized window on the top, to make it look more evened out. I do like the arch. It goes with the style of the house. I dont like the color, even a tiny bit. Is the front door under that arch somewhere. If so, that arch is perfect for leading you right to the entry way. Ugly house?? No, it isnt.
HU-187528210
3 years ago
I agree. Add a window. New garage door.
And then paint. Or cover with something new. Brick?
tangerinedoor
3 years ago
That roof calls for solar panels. You could prolly power the whole block!
tangerinedoor
3 years ago
If the arch seems too blank, you could always trellis some bougainvillea or something to go all the way up to the top.
ci_lantro
3 years ago
Add a window & paint.

I rather like the roof extension. It helps blend the big house with the short extended el part of the house behind.

With it gone, the front of the house will look too tall & the extension will look too short. A lot of work & expense for no gain & potential loss.

Related Stories

SELLING YOUR HOUSE Fix It or Not? What to Know When Prepping Your Home for Sale

By Laura Gaskill

Find out whether a repair is worth making before you put your house on the market

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 5 Savvy Fixes to Help Your Home Sell

By Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist

Get the maximum return on your spruce-up dollars by putting your money in the areas buyers care most about

DECORATING GUIDES 10 Easy Fixes for That Nearly Perfect House You Want to Buy

By Laura Gaskill

Find out the common flaws that shouldn’t be deal-breakers — and a few that should give you pause

LIFE You Showed Us: 20 Nutty Home Fixes

By Becky Harris

We made the call for your Band-Aid solutions around the house, and you delivered. Here's how you are making what's broken work again

LIFE Houzz Call: Show Us Your Nutty Home Fixes

By Becky Harris

If you've masterminded a solution — silly or ingenious — to a home issue, we want to know

HOUSEKEEPING What's That Sound? 9 Home Noises and How to Fix Them

By Mitchell Parker

Bumps and thumps might be driving you crazy, but they also might mean big trouble. We give you the lowdown and which pro to call for help

DECORATING GUIDES Fix Those 'Whoopsies': 9 Fast Solutions for Decorating Mistakes

By Laura Gaskill

Don't suffer in silence over a paint, furniture or rug snafu — these affordable workarounds can help

ACCESSORIES 10 Ways to Fix Your Fireplace Up With a Screen Star

By Becky Harris

Make a match so right, you might see sparks — these unusual fireplace screens are worth the search

DECORATING GUIDES Quick Fix: Correct Squeaky Floors and Sticky Doors

By Vanessa Brunner

An Atlanta contractor shares his secret solutions to two common household annoyances

DECORATING GUIDES Quick Fix: Erase Water Rings from Furniture

By Vanessa Brunner

A few household items can quickly rejuvenate tarnished wood tabletops

Sponsored

More Discussions

Black granite countertops, honed,leathered or polished? HELP please.

110

MSI Calacatta Castana

32

Kitchen for Craftsman home

17

Our 1963 Red Brick Ranch - BEFORE/AFTER

3

Who makes/sells integrated solid surface (Corian) sinks?

0