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The Old House Porches & Decks Before & After

Blah exterior needs updating

last year

The lattice under the porch is brittle from harsh sun and needs to go, plus I think it is outdated. The exterior is so blah. I thought about stacking field stone at the foot of the porch supports and wrapping the supports to appear more like timber frames. The lot slopes steeply and from the curb looking up, this area becomes the focal point for the entire front of the house.

Any ideas?

Featured Answer

PRO

RL Relocation LLC

last year

I would consider adding a front stair case to open it up (yes have two). wrap the posts to give them some more volume. and beef up the size of the shutters. paint the front door a pop of color. as to adding field stone I think that might be too much. maybe opt for metal railings. You could also case the post to make them a bit beefier, maybe go white. Also that large shrub on the right is really closing the house in.

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Comments (6)

PRO
RL Relocation LLC
last year
Landscape would help too
Rita Sowards thanked RL Relocation LLC
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Snookums, have you ever looked at any navy counters? I did before I posted. Some are nearly black or have a lot of grey -- not that far from the slate. Sure, there are brighter blues, but that's not what I was talking about. The slate looks great and that type of navy could too -- but I probably wouldn't have suggested the idea if I had realized the OP had green (and brighter green) counters. Camarodreemer76, I'd really like to help you, but I'm having a hard time seeing the laminate with the cabinets. You are seeing them in person and I'm seeing flash photography and computer monitor images. That last photo seems to be picking up green from your counters too. My concern is whether the colors work together. I just can't see that they do on my monitor, but as I pointed out, I'm not seeing it as you are. If they do, I think the tile is nice and would use it. If not, don't rush into something that isn't right and be unhappy until you can pay again to redo it.
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The black accent wall is amazing, but also very important are the touches of yellow to make this room wake up. In the pictures without the black and yellow it all looks lifeless. If you were to move the couches further apart a rectangular glass and metal coffee table probably would fit in nicely, and the shine of the glass would take away some of the heaviness of the couches.
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My spouse has been in insurance for over 13 years and knows the laws and regulations and is licensed in 45 states. But the exterior was up to code other than a panel along the bottom on the side of the driveway and it was that way when we moved in and so we did not change it. in 2017 the 10 month notice was to difficult to have all the work done as we lost my spouses income completely and the medical treatment bill was $500,000.00 and that was top priority to save my spouse's life. So yes the home got put second. Our state told we do not qualify for any assistance as they would take my spouse's prior income into account. I was able to find a family member that is willing to help with the siding, but said we will have to buy the materials and his crew can handle the installation for labor the cost is $5500.00 I am hoping that is not too steep. We will now just have to figure what supplies for the exterior we will want to upgrade the home as if we are going to put money in, we want to make it worth it.
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party_music50
last year
I would look for a really nice skirting for the porch… stone could be beautiful. Check here for porch skirting ideas you might like: Deck skirting ideas Then I’d alter the porch railings and posts, as appropriate.

I wouldn’t add front stairs unless they made sense and would get used.
Rita Sowards thanked party_music50
Rita Sowards
Original Author
last year
I am inspired by your great suggestions. What a difference some paint makes. Thank you, RL for taking the time to edit the photo and show me your ideas. I have been browsing other deck skirting and railing options and am liking what others have done. I agree the landscaping needs to be taller. I also like the added peak on the roof. Would it be awkward to put a peak there and not have the stairs?
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
last year
Yes, do not peak without stairs, honestly the stairs are what will change the way the house is viewed.
Rita Sowards thanked RL Relocation LLC
arcy_gw
last year
Peak, then stairs which will lead to a walkway, then landscaping. It's that sort of project. Your porch is rather elevated compared to the usual front of a home as is evident in the examples you've been shown. I suppose that means you need something to hide the underside. That think wood lattice just does not hold up. A stone veneer might give your porch a very substantial look.

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