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Remodeling Design Dilemma Exterior

Exterior Help! (Limewash, Paint, Siding... Anything!)

Carpenter'sWife16

2 years ago

My husband and I just bought our first house in April, and we are really stumped on what to do with the exterior. We have already put in a new door (it's currently only primed so we can paint it any color) and put in new windows (white, no grids), and we plan on changing out the porch rails. There is currently no landscaping (this was the listing photo) because I want to revamp the outside before doing so. You can't tell in the picture, but the previous owners painted the gutters and trim, and they did not care about whether or not they got the paint on the brick, and it does not look good at all. I really like the idea of limewashing the brick with a non-distressed, opaque covering, in either gray or sage-y green to coordinate with the white. However, I've seen debate on whether or not it's actually a good idea. The brick is only on the front and the rest of the house is white. So if we paint the white on the front, wouldn't we need to paint the entire house?

We're on a budget, however my husband is in remodeling so we have a little more flexibility since we don't have to worry about labor costs.

Any ideas would be helpful, because my mind is drawing blanks and tired of trying to visualize things in my head!

Another question I have is what style would you consider this house? It was built in 1964 but doesn't look like normal "mid-century" houses I try to compare it to.

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (9)

jck910
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Adorable house. I would it's a ranch. How much do the new white windows stand out? I ask because I think the house would look great in a light sage green with the trim a little darker. Leave the brick alone. Paint the down spouts to match the brick. They are not a design feature.
Carpenter'sWife16 thanked jck910
calidesign
2 years ago
Congratulations on your new home! I like the white color with your brick as it is. I would just paint your garage door to match the same white as the siding, paint the downspouts to match the brick, and then work on landscaping. You can paint your door in a grayed green like the example below, which would look great with the brick. If you have to keep a storm door, I'd get a full glass one so you can better see your front door.
Poppleton Park, Birmingham, MI Exterior Makeover · More Info
Carpenter'sWife16 thanked calidesign
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decoenthusiaste
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This is too heavy and chunky for your little house, but just to suggest you think about spanning the recessed entry with a pergola. Yours would be much more slender and light weight. Your husband could probably come up with a nice design for it.
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Carpenter'sWife16 thanked decoenthusiaste
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Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
2 years ago
Another option is light taupe
Carpenter'sWife16 thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
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Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
2 years ago
or muted green
Carpenter'sWife16 thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
PRO
PPF.
2 years ago
this was the listing photo

Post a couple of current images standing off to the side -- like at the right side of the driveway and the opposite corner of the yard. A closeup or two would also help.

And no need to be in a rush to change things. If all you are doing is cosmetic like paint, new landscaping (which you should get started on) won't be in the way.
Carpenter'sWife16
Original Author
2 years ago
I'll be posting a couple more photos in the morning so the light better.
Carpenter'sWife16
Original Author
2 years ago
Here are this morning's photos with the new windows.
eld6161
2 years ago
I like the white with brick.

I would concentrate on landscaping.

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