MCM Exterior Update
We are starting the process of replacing our roof and windows on a MCM California Ranch. We do not want to paint the cherokee red brick, but wish to update the exterior. We have considered black trim windows, charcoal paint and even cedar on the underside of the (nearly 4'!) soffit, but aren't sure if this will look right? We also need new garage doors at some point. I am desperate for suggestions to modernize the look of the house without ruining the MCM look. Any suggestions? Or photos of homes that that done this well? We can't find any in our area without the red brick/white trim look. Thank you for any suggestions you can offer!
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Comments (27)Lars, my phone photo snapping skills stink. The house is surprising bright for having so much dark wood. But, some spots aren't as bright. Just tending the landscaping will help bring in more light, as so many of the surrounding trees and bushes are overgrown. Most of the fixtures are old and inefficient as well. And keep in mind I'm in CT with winter sky (and 3 feet of snow on the flat roof!) I do agree that I want to enhance the overall light quality, while preserving the woodwork. Outside playing, jlc, missymoo: thanks so much for the words of encouragement. When we have to address the kitchen we will reuse everything that's worth saving. And I have a rather generous definition of what's worth saving. We really aren't going to change the house, other than mechanics and the kitchen update. The inspector had his palms down for 10 minutes waiting for these guys to get hot! Missymoo, the grounds are sprawling for us. The house is on 2 acres, which is flat around the house and then falls away in the back. Our current yard is .11 acres. This is a huge change for us. I showed my DH your note about the tree. He's extremely excited. Any suggestions? Awm, thank you. We feel lucky and very thankful to the family who owned the home. They took impeccable care of the house. They didn't want to just sell it to the bulldozer. We only looked at one house and we are moving to CT from NY to do this. This is a big change and challenge for us. Obviously the unique challenge will be the huge flat roof. It was done really well. It held up to the 3 feet of snow this winter. But, its old and flat! Any house could have needed a new kitchen (especially the ones in our price range!) To build a new house requires clearing land, a well, septic, hvac system.... This house, with its limitations, will shape us as a family as much as we shape it. (Oh geez, sorry, I'm getting corny.)...See MoreUpdated Eichler MCM home for sale
Comments (7)You are correct sushipup, it does not have a/c. But with the high last year listed at 93 degrees F with 91% humidity, that would doubly be no deal. Don't care if it is infrequent--been there, done that, don't want to again. And that glare......See Moreideas wanted! Update MCM exterior
Comments (6)Frank Lloyd Wright lived in the 20th c. and this house owes more to him that the atomic-plastic aerospace era most people associate with MCM, and therefore want to paint everything rocket ship gray and kool-aid lime plastic unless they are looking at a colonial. You are right not to want to paint the brick. An unpainted wood front door with glass would be optimal and ditto if you can afford natural unpainted wood garage doors that might be handsome, otherwise go with weathered grays. It is really quite impossible to offer suggestions about the rest of the trim with the awning up there, and the overgrown hedges under the front window. The sharply trimmed hedges are appropriate to the house but they need to be trimmed way back. Do that first and then see where you’re at....See MoreUpdated MCM
Comments (9)I have some 1950s Baker and Danish Modern furnishings that would be perfect. Maybe I should have gotten my bid in! It’s a beautiful, elegant house. As an aside, I had to google Ruth Boynton. Born in 1896 and becamse a physician inspired by their family physician was a woman, who cared for Ruth’s brothers and sister during their final illnesses. Pretty trailblazing....See More
kameis
2 years agokameis
2 years ago
Lyn Nielson
2 years agoUser
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoyour house is really awesome! the white trim around the windows look good. black would look great too. honestly, it's hard to decide.
I also love the cedar garage doors posted above -- but only at a glance. in real life, many of these tend to look super fake (they are rarely offered in real wood, and faux wood grain pattern is pretty obvious). maybe it's possible there are some convincing ones out there, but all the ones I've seen IRL never look real to me.
however that style of garage door would look awesome in any other color! they tend to come in a very limited palette, but many of these are paintable (be sure to ask). it could match your window trim, or your front door.
you said you wanted to paint your soffits? what color are they now? if they're natural wood, I'd leave them.there are so many fun accessories you could add. modern house numbers, cool lamps, decorative fencing.
or attach them to something curbside:
kameis thanked Userkameis
2 years agoThe underside of the soffit is also white like the trim. I hadn't thought about a dark color making it dark in the house. We would definitely want to avoid that pitfall. Thank you all for your help. It sounds like keeping the white windows and trim might be best for preserving the look of the house. Our garage doors are original (heavy) solid wood, so I will have to think about whether we should just strip and repaint them or change them out entirely. We do have two street lamps that are in great condition much like the one you posted. We sit pretty far back from the street and I included a photo on a cloudy day. The brick definitely looks darker on these types of days, so black or dark on the windows, roof and garage doors might be a much more monochromatic look. Someday the basketball hoop will be gone! :)
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2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoBlack or deep charcoal (less harsh) windows will bode well with the style of your home and deemphasize your window openings. A charcoal window will also make your windows appear larger. I think dark window frames, trim, and cedar soffits will look amazing with your home! Right now the white trim and windows feel a bit traditional and safe, taking away from the MCM style. Also, instead of dark garage doors, have you considered flat-panel wood doors, to coordinate with the soffit?
kameis thanked User User
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoUser
2 years ago
deb s