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Paint Exterior The Old House

Need exterior design help for this 1960s split level ranch

last year

last modified: last year

What can I do color wise to refresh the curb appeal of my 1965 split level ranch? The trim & shutters have always been black, for the 55 yrs this home has been ours. I'm open to other colors that compliment the pink brick. Also, I'm not crazy about the lace iron balcony facade. My guess is the builder was from New Orleans, but cannot confirm. When I see houses with this feature it just looks dated to me (I love country French as a style, just not used in this way). Would it give the house an uplift to remove it altogether?? (it is not a functional balcony, only cosmetic) - - It seems it would make that half the house less shadowy (but maybe that's just me)

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Comments (5)

wishiwereintheup
last year
last modified: last year
You have a very beautiful home. You mentioned color but that's not the first thing I'd tackle. Remove all the overgrown and puffball shrubs and replace with new landscaping. I feel they impact your home's curb appeal much more than any color choices or the wrought iron work.
Sigrid
last year
Removing the balcony would be expensive and most likely leave you with a visible scars. I'm kind of fond of the fancy railing. It's unique. I'd embrace it.

A navy or medium-dark blue might update your shutters.

I agree about the landscaping. I've never found a hedge in front of a house to be attractive.
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This home appears to have a sizable lot with plenty of potential. If the homeowner were replacing the roof, I'd suggest replacing this one with a steeper roof with gable ends and a third gable -- a forward facing gable over a larger front porch in front of the house. If the interior of the house and the land on which it is located and the neighborhood in which it is located and the selling price are all to your liking, don't be discouraged by purely curb appeal cosmetic issues. Before buying this house, however, you should have an expert that is working for you inspect the house to help you avoid costly surprises. You should know before you buy what work needs to be done -- roofing, insulation, electrical, plumbing, heat/ac, moisture issues, etc., just to make the home livable. You should also find out about easements, underground utilities or building code limitations that could affect your efforts to effect necessary and/or desirable changes. For instance, if the home needs a complete redo of a bath or kitchen, you should factor that into the pricing of the home. With that low roof -- not even the usual 4/12 -- and high windows, it is likely there is little overhead insulation. It wouldn't surprise me to find out the roof rafters are also the ceiling joists. There's also likely little ventilation in what passes for an attic, which could mean moisture/sweating problems -- which could explain the trees being planted so close to the house in an effort to create much needed shade. If so, the cost of a new roof should be factored in as you consider the price and you budget. From the front, the lot appears sloped toward the driveway. You should pay attention to potential rainwater drainage issues on the left side of the house and the potential for dampness and/or mold/mildew issues beneath the floor.
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This suggestion is a little outside the box, but hopefully will sparks some more ideas for you. In my old neighborhood, there were homes called "side splits" where an entry next to the garage lead to a foyer type situation and you walked up a few steps to the side to enter the main living space. I'm thinking this may be a solution for you, especially living in NY you might appreciate a main entrance that doesn't just dump you right into the living room. An awning above the new front door on the driveway level helps define the entrance.
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You have a very attractive home! I would not darken anything. I think the white is an important element. Regardless of what you do to the steps you must have handrails. I would go with the crisp white to match your trim. There are some nice white vinyls out there. The biggest impact will come from landscaping. I would get a professional landscape/hardscape plan and implement it as the budget allows. Yes, get a spiffier light fixture.
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PRO
RL Relocation LLC
last year
Personally, I can spend your money with all kinds of ideas LOL. But I think here, the landscape is dated and a bit boring really. The light fixtures, the front door could also use some love.

I do not like the fake porch, if I could spend lots of money I would take it out. Your lawn is beautiful btw. I would also agree blue or a sage or gray color would give some modern appeal.
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
last year
instead of angled photos try to get a picture that is straight on.
Debbie Downer
last year
last modified: last year
Interesting - I like your theory about someone homesick for New Orleans LOL. As mentioned above, porch cant really be removed without leaving scars - and an overhang much deeper than the rest of the house, which would look funny.

Can the balcony be used, does it make sense to open up a room to it? Part of its oddness is that its obvious that there is no door and cant be used.

Whats going on under the porch, behind the hedge? Some kind of patio? You could remove the hedge, expand that and make it into useable attractive outdoor living space - framed in a border of flowering fragrant shrubs, 1 or 2 well placed ornamental trees (ie short, placed toward the side of the house), intermixed with perennials/bulbs. You could leave a few of the evergreens - its just the solid wall of them that is so unappealing.

What are the rooms on the lower level - would any of those benefit by opening up to a patio? .... or maybe it could be an actual courtyard and by that I mean a professionally designed walled space which fits architecturally with your house.... not an ugly cheap privacy fence from Menards! But then that gets to be expensive too - probably more than just removing the darn thing!

Otherwise, maybe just swap out the frilly iron work for something simpler/more linear, with strong horizontal lines as is fitting for this style/era. Also changing all the white to something less high contrast - would help de-emphasize it.

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