Thanks for all your comments, was hoping for a more radical change??
Rebecca Ball
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Recently moved into this brick house and wish to paint brick and more exterior more contemporary. Think outside the box - add front porch/stoop, horizontal boards, paint color, etc
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (19)
jck910
2 years agoBefore painting the brick I would try some other lower maintenance updates.
Remove the shutters
Paint the door glossy black
Paint the door glossy black n with the roof
Update landscaping
Put in a front walk to street or lower end of the driveway
PRORelated Discussions
Novice learning more about soil, hoping for some advice.
Comments (16)New homes (like ours 22 years ago and probably yours) are generally leveled and graded with the subsoil extracted from digging out the basement hole. The topsoil is stripped and if any soil has to be added for final grading (i.e., even after spreading the basement subsoil), it is not topsoil generally. This "grading" soil is usually very rich soil but devoid of organic matter. And, as you now know, organic matter is needed to get this soil "alive". You just have to add MASSIVE amounts of organic matter to make it friable. Every year, I mulch mow a HUGE amount of autumn leaves all around the yard and garden. It is something you have to do every year (i.e, adding organic matter). Raised beds are good for veggies and flowers but you can amend strips of the existing soil by adding massive amounts of organic matter and digging it in. (You'll have to make the raised beds out of purchased topsoil, Canadian peat and compost, etc., to get them "ready to use" immediately. I'd keep the compost in the new raised beds at about 10 percent IMHO.) Now is an absolutely perfect time to do this. Go around your area and see if you can find any curbside leaf bags and dig those into flower or veggie growing areas you want in the future and/or mulch mow them EVERYWHERE. Now is the time to do this and I recommend you do this on a MASSIVE scale. You'll have to run the mower over the thick layer of leaves 3 to 4 times to get it real small. Over time you will see dramatic results IMHO. All this organic material addition/amending is alot of work but it is great exercise and very rewarding IMHO. Good luck!! Tidbit: I talked to Dr. Elaine Ingram (she's an expert on soils) a few years back asking about the typical suburban soil around new homes and she basically said: "You probably can't add enough organic matter in your lifetime to make the soil 'too organic'." What she was really saying was "have at it" and don't worry about mulching massive amounts of organic matter onto the soil. Compost, shredded leaves, mulched grass clippings, wood chips, etc. Dr. Ingram isn't big on digging stuff into the soil but she said for new suburban soils this is fine to get things "started". She also said autumn leaves are great organic material....See MoreThank you all for your help over the last couple years
Comments (9)hey, always nice to hear from you, never-give-up! I'm so glad some canning came back into your life enough to give you pleasure. As has been said, we like to talk about freezing and any other kinds of harvest-related things here, too, so if you are able, feel free to let us know how your garden goes and what you preserve no matter how. You know I always take credit even for baking and freezing zucchini bread on the "What have you put up?" thread.... Best wishes, Zabby...See MoreKtichen (and more) layout - newbie would LOVE your comments
Comments (9)UGH! No there is not 3 dishwashers! Sorry! At one point when trying to be practical and when worried about our unconventional dining room idea, I asked the KD to try to squeeze in a 2nd dishwasher on the crowded sink wall to see if it was an option - and I didn�t realize the elevations still shows that version. Sorry! One dishwasher to left of sink and trash on the right. (wanted to replace the picture link but not sure if I can do that after posting w/o messing up the original message) Thanks to everyone for their comments � greatly appreciated! Couple of responses/comments/questions: To be clear, I would use the DW in the kitchen if we have company. The dining room one would be for everyday use for us and like-family neighbors (and holiday overflow when needed) but if we are entertaining I would certainly pull the dirty dishes back into the kitchen. I don�t need to use the DR DW just because it is there ;) We would have a quiet garbage disposal and a under the sink trash can as to not give up a cabinet for trash. While I whole-heartedly agree with bmorepanic about moving the margarita ingredients closer to the booze! We were also concerned about the fridge being so far away from the dining area (although we will use the island seating a lot!) The thought process was not to have something so massive in that corner, the first thing you see as you enter the house. The currently planned glass from cabinets are to soften the transition (I hope). And to put it there would require making the entrance to the dining room smaller - we want to promote the flow into the dining room and to utilize that sliding door to the much-used screened in porch, since we are closing off the 2nd existing door from the kitchen. Also when people are "living" in sunroom/brick room before a meal, they may also be invited to cut through work zone to the fridge from that direction. There seems no perfect answer. That corner location was considered for wall ovens, but we felt it distracted from the focal point of the range � which we wanted to look nice from the octagon/sun room and brick room family room. The post is structural and cannot be moved. The aisle widths are 45" between range and island and I believe 48"-50" between sink and island. The 40" sink base is pulled forward. The island is already 48" wide to reach the post.with the 12" overhang for seating. I love the idea of more space in corner, which I guess I could easily have with a smaller range � but then no oven and half � or extend the wall and make the entrance to dining room smaller as discussed above. They are just opening that wall into the dining room today and field measure is Thursday, so I will see if we can move everything down a bit. I really would like to have a prep sink � for all the reasons everyone mentioned � can anyone suggested another location? As DesertSteph metions it is close to the seating area (that may already be a little tight) and I feel it is in a prime serving location. As for windows on either side the range, a nice idea but we are already limited in upper cabinets give the open flow of the room (we actually closed in a 6 foot sliding door to porch to allow for the range) so hopefully the light from the adjacent octagon/sun room will be enough. Any thoughts on a walk in pantry? What is the smallest width to make it worth while? If not add more 16" deep pantry cabinets? Thanks everyone....See MoreNew plans! Almost done, I hope...seeking comments
Comments (24)Deedles, the uneven cabinets is not my favorite, but short of putting the range in the hall (DH is against this) or removing all the ducting to move the sink (pipe access blocked by ducting) it is the best I can do. Not that big a sacrifice considering the rest is working out pretty well. Function is definitely my priority over form in this small space! Oldbat2be, I love your kitchen! It's a great use of space, but I'm short and clumsy so I fear I would stretch over the 30 inch counter and accidentally knock the extinguisher back into the cubby! I think the small double angle corner upper will house our extinguisher. It's even on the way to the exit as recommended! I'll have to get a hanging tag to identify the location, but after that thread a while back it was definitely in my mind! A2gemini, I'm excited too! We discussed the 12 inches to the left of the range, debating between 9 and 12. The cabinet company actually has been doing full kitchen remodels in our area for 40 years (specialize in kitchens). I hope they would have advised me about any code restrictions there, but I will ask! After reading here the past several months I'd definitely rather check now! I think drawers under the Advantium will work well. It is 19 inches tall if I remember right, so plenty of space above for unruly large items! May_flowers, I did sketch that up at one point. It actually worked pretty well, but didnt get the fridge out of the eating area so clearance was still an issue, and DH didn't want the range in the walkway, which I can understand. Looks like things are closing in. Thanks so much for pushing me to consider things from all angles, I really appreciate the suggestions. Any additional comments are welcome!...See More
acm
2 years agoI wouldn't paint brick -- you make a low-maintenance surface into a relatively high-maintenance one *forever*! At the very least, look into stains, which can change the color without coating the brick and making it decay.
Agree that this is an adorable cottage-style house, so maybe aim to make it look grown-up rather than modern, and you'll find a liveable middle ground. Start by removing the shutters! Go modern inside.
Then a nice landscape plan, possibly involving a geometrical patio and walk, would add a lot.
Rebecca Ball thanked acmacm
2 years agohappyleg
2 years ago
PROCelery. Visualization, Rendering images
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoI would paint dormers and front door in charcoal gray or Cyberspace SW
isabellagracepan
2 years agohoussaon
2 years agoNo to shutters. If you want to go modern, install larger wide pane casement windows. If you need more space in the second story replace the two dog house dormers with one long shed dormer.
I agree landscaping will really boost the curb appeal. Also, please don't paint your good looking brick that appears to be on all sides. It is virtually maintenance-free.
HU-187528210
2 years ago
freedomplace1
2 years agoThe folks here have really given you some great advice. I see you updated this post to say you were seeking comments that would encourage a more “radical change”... and you may be referring to your desire to paint the brick. Painting or white washing your brick is really not going to give you a more “modern” looking house. It would basically turn your house from a stately, classic red brick structure - to a higher maintenance, cheap looking tent.
For more modern + more dramatic - maybe consider possibly going darker on the trim, etc.
partim
2 years ago
PROLori A. Sawaya
2 years ago
tangerinedoor
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoTransform your exterior with 2 cans of paint (brick house)
And:
St. Louis Park · More Info
Ashton Heights Renovation · More Info
alwayscold
2 years ago- PRO
Lisa Caudill Designs
2 years agoSide views of a modern expansion on a cape cod...is this the more medical you were thinking?
- PRO
Lisa Caudill Designs
2 years ago ptreckel
2 years ago
Related Stories
LIFEYou Said It: ‘The Birds Will Thank You’ and More Houzz Quotables
Design advice, inspiration and observations that struck a chord this week
Full Story
GARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGScreen the Porch for More Living Room (Almost) All Year
Make the Most of Three Seasons With a Personal, Bug-Free Outdoor Oasis
Full Story
ADDITIONSMore Room Makes an Eichler Even More Livable
Adding a master suite gives a California family 450 square feet more for enjoying all the comforts of home
Full Story
LIFEThank U 4 the Gr8 Gift: How to Send Thanks in the Digital Age
We click open invitations and RSVP via text, but a handwritten thank-you is sometimes still best. Here's how to tell
Full Story
TRANSITIONAL HOMESHouzz Tour: Change of Heart Prompts Change of House
They were set for a New England look, but a weekend in the California wine country changed everything
Full Story
MODERN HOMESMy Houzz: All Right With All-White in a Modern New Jersey Home
A bold monochrome palette with black accents, modern art and treehouse-like views of NYC are stars in this couple’s dramatic home
Full Story
COLORYou Said It: ‘Adding Color Is About So Much More Than Shock’ and More
Highlights from the week include color advice, Houzzers helping Houzzers and architecture students building community housing
Full Story
COLORBedroom Color: The Secret to More Sex and More Sleep
Look to surprising revelations about bedroom wall colors to get more of what you want
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESMore Is More: The 10 Tenets of Maximalist Style
Ready to join the school of over-the-top design? Learn how to embrace excess in your interiors
Full Story
You Said It: ‘The More Dents, the Better’ and More Houzz Quotables
Design advice, inspiration and observations that struck a chord this week
Full Story
Beth H. :