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Windows Design Dilemma Exterior

1970s Contemporary House Exterior Makeover

last year

We are looking to do an exterior makeover of our house - siding, gutters, garage door, front door. We dislike the drab color and outdated 70s/80s siding, and would like to make the house look more modern. We are thinking it could be also interesting to incorporate stone and/or cedar-like siding, if possible.

So here comes our dilemma - The roof and windows were recently replaced by the previous owners, so we are not going to replace those. The roof style is "cottage" style, which doesn't align to the contemporary look of the house, in my opinion. The window exterior color sort of matches the siding color, but is more light-blue tinted.

We would love some thoughts on how we could update the exterior of our house while keeping the roof and windows.

As a side note, we are open to painting the exteriors of the windows if there isn't a ton of painting maintenance required after. We also recognize that we need to re-landsc, but wanted to start with the house first.

Any input, ideas would be great! Thanks!

Featured Answer

PRO

Beth H. :

last year

there's a lot of makeovers of 1970's contemporary online (images)

here are quite a few that are similar to your home. see if you like any ideas

I like these colors:

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Comments (13)

PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
To me, this style of contemporary house looks best monochromatic because the trim is pretty minimal. I like dark houses so I would paint it all black fox, or urbane bronze. Don't add peel and stick stone (yes I know it is 'real') and I don't really see a place for wood accents that seems natural unless you want to replace the front door and garage door with natural wood doors (but you are signing up for upkeep)
decoenthusiaste
last year
https://pioneermillworks.com/shou-sugi-ban

This might be a good option if you want to replace the old siding. Don't forget the landscaping!
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Need help on color scheme for ugly 1970s house
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I just wanted to add to a few of the comments... Wider trim becomes a feature of design rather then a functional necessary. I'd keep it. I'm always looking at how something can be done in the Least expensive manner, and the least wasteful way. I say work with what you've got! You have a 70's/modern architecture, trying to make it into anything else with out a large redesign will most likely leave you with one of those houses people drive by and say hmm that somehow doesn't work. Can't change an apple into an orange but a nice buffing up can do wonders for that apple. Cream vs white. Yes white is crisp! It's contrast-y, and clean, it pops! But it can also be quite cold, and when you haven't alot of decorative trim to emphasize, and are working with a modern shape, it can feel too sharp. Sharp is not at all homey. An off white will still give you nice contrast, and keep those blunt edges soft and appealing. (hence why I suggested a cream tone- BUT avoid buttery tones with yellows) Bonus, that color matches all earthy neutral tones nicely. I would suggest the double doors, in keeping with the buildings design. But if you haven't room for them, I suggest the faux windows as you mention but the door and windows should not be of the classical variety with much wood-little window. You may be surprised at the options now in glass doors, such as privacy and security. The master bedroom where you are replacing the long windows? Keep them on the longer side then the boxy sort. In fact, take your photo..or my mock up and in an editor, toss in some square boxy windows. Very quickly you should note you lose your unique design and end up with a boring boxy wall. As far as landscaping goes...if you select low maintenance, drought resistant perennial plants and shrubbery, the up keep is amazingly easy, and you'll only need to replace the mulch once a year. Cheaper then gas for the mower and less time consuming too! Just remember to keep it natural looking!
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IMHO, the way to cure a houses identity crisis is not fight it, but let it be what it is! Which in your case is a handsome solid-looking midcentury modern... or lets say within the genre anyway, if not a prime circa 1959 specimen. Definitely has that cool ranchy kind of look and a lot of current fabrics, doors, furnishings, color palettes etc are straight out of MCM which means they would fit right in with your house. Not that you want to go over the top with making it into a time capsule or shrine to MCM style, but just let it influence/inspire your choices. This door fer instance : http://www.homedepot.com/p/Builder-s-Choice-36-in-x-80-in-Atlantis-3-Lite-Clear-Glass-Painted-Fiberglass-Prehung-Front-Door-with-Brickmould-HDX162460/204843729?&cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|B|0|B-BASE-D30+Doors|&mid=ex1mxG05|dc_mtid_8903vry57826_pcrid_73667292101367_pkw__pmt__ Sorry, but adding early 1900s craftsman brackets and other elements would add to an identity crisis, not cure it .... As for color, people were not afraid of color then! OK, so you might not want to go vibrant brick red, or avocado green, or chocolate brown but even if you prefer something more contemporary, ie really grayed out or neutral, at least go darker and richer to give it a more solid look as well as fit in better with your beautiful woodsy natural setting. Re symmetry, agree its not necessary..... but it should and I think does have a well balanced look. as I recall from (long ago) design courses there is formal balance and informal balance - both are good, and again I would just go with the original design intention.... if it works, why mess with success? The garage on left nicely balances window arrangement on the right, IMHO.
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the problem i see is that its not a contemporary home. its a colonial box that was updated by having the windows that would go in a contemporary and some vertical siding.
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Shasta
last year
This combination is pretty. It's just stained wood around the wiindows and for the door. Landscaping is also nice.
Contemporary Exterior · More Info
Sigrid
last year
I think the current color and lack of constrasting trim is a bit dreary and making it darker would be worse. I'd paint it a blue with white trim. Replace the garage and front doors with something more modern, if you want.
eed1234
Original Author
last year
Beth H- thanks for sharing all of those pictures! That’s really helpful! Great ideas.
eed1234
Original Author
last year
Thank you!!
eed1234
Original Author
last year
Sigrid - couldn’t agree more. Blue and white trim is a good idea!
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
last year
Looks very much like a neighborhood in Fairfax. Pretty home.
elcieg
last year
last modified: last year
I don't like the chimney. It looks so tiny and useless. Maybe this is where you can have some "real" stone added.

It need not be this particular stone, anything that works with the roof and the siding color you choose.
PRO
Revive AI
last year
Really like the contemporary look. I don't think you necessarily need to change much to give it a fresh new appearance. I like the idea of painting the window trims to give it some contrast. Perhaps those could be charcoal. Here are some ideas for garage door and entry doors. Hope this helps and good luck! If you want to try on different doors you can experiment with the free door visualizer app for iphone or ipad.. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/door-visualizer-with-modifai/id1459977254
PRO
Revive AI
last year
Pic didn't attach. Here you go
pricklypearcactus
last year
Just my two cents, but I really like the overall look of your house. I think I'd be inclined to change out the garage doors and front door for something with some glass. I also don't love the color of the front door and would probably keep it all monochromatic if it were my house. I think the overal monochramatic look with trim the same color as the body looks very sleek with the style of the house. One additional suggestion: add some landscaping around the front entry walkway.

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