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Remodeling Design Dilemma Exterior

Exterior Help!! Paint colors, front steps, and planters!

last year

Hi everyone,

We're in the middle of a renovation at the moment and are having a really hard time deciding what to do with the exterior of our house.

At first, we were thinking of painting it all white and leaving the black joinery (around the windows and doors), but now we are unsure. We've already ordered a new solid black aluminium door with two sidelights on either side which will be installed soon. We thought the black and white would give it a modern farmhouse look, but now we're questioning if that's even possible to achieve with our 80's house? Should we just leave it a dark color, paint it white, or do something else?

We also used to have cute terracotta tiles up to the front door but they unfortunately got irreparably damaged during the renovation and we have no idea what to replace them with. We were thinking of putting plain grey tiles, but maybe we should go with something with more character?

The biggest point of contention right now, however, is what to do in front of the big windows right up in front of the house. There used to be a brick planter box covered by a pergola there but we had to remove it due to rot issues. This has caused a big predicament as there was no concrete under the planter boxes. As such, we now have a line of brick-look edging in front of a barren dirt pile by the front of our house.

Should we rebuild a planter and pergola by the front door? Our concern with doing this is that we will be rebuilding what we essentially paid to have removed. Plus, not having the planter box right up against the driveway makes it easier to pull into the garage (on the left hand side). But then if we don't rebuild a planter box, what do we do with the dirt pile and edging? We're incredibly reluctant to redo the driveway and pave over the dirt and trim due to the cost. We've also considered extending the front porch along the entire width of the house. But this doesn't help with driving into the garage.

Or should we do something else?

Any help would be greatly greatly appreciated!!!!

Thanks so much in advance!!

Featured Answer

decoenthusiaste

last year

Consider dark charcoal for the siding. Then clad the brick columns with cedar. Build cedar planting boxes under the big windows and then plant a sturdy grass between them and the drive so you won't really hurt it if you drive over it a bit. The gable ends could use a touch of the cedar too. Here's the feeling I'd be after.

Orca Drive Waterfront, Camano Island WA · More Info

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Comments (6)

er612
last year
I prefer the dark siding. I would add a low planter or patio.
Lauren Bergman thanked er612
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apple_pie_order
last year
!. Your downspout needs to drain onto the driveway, not into the dirt next to the house. If budget permits, use asphalt to match the driveway where the old planter was. IN the meantime, use bark to cover the dirt. Two or three large pots with flowers would be decorative statements.

2. The house is contemporary, not modern farmhouse. If you want the black and white sparkle, paint the siding white. If you want a more natural look, have the siding cleaned and treated with a transparent finish recommended by experts for the type of wood siding you have (cedar? redwood?). The columns can be covered in new brick, new siding, or other easy changes.

3. If driving in and out of the garage is a problem, consider changing the step to the front porch to a much narrower step, say 12 inches or so, still running the length of the porch. The area opposite the garage could be added to the driveway as a place to back up. In the long term cycle of car replacement, smaller cars are much easier to maneuver.
Lauren Bergman thanked apple_pie_order
kandrewspa
last year
IMO Modern Farmhouse is a trend. The contemporary look has better longevity as a style, which is what you have. If you're just tired of a dark exterior you could go lighter, but your house is never really going to look like MF which are usually two story houses with black divided light windows. I don't think white would be the best color for your house. I think the previous commenters had some good ideas.
Lauren Bergman thanked kandrewspa
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
IMO this will never be modern farmhouse so embrace the style of house you have instead . I agree the whole MFH is going to be a dated look , not the end of the world but your house will never be that. I totally agree a dark charcoal and natural cedar accents would be the best way to embrace this style.
Lauren Bergman thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
Emily L
last year
Agree with everyone else, no MFH.
Lauren Bergman thanked Emily L

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