How would you update this 1940's brick home exterior?

last year

Looking for suggestions on how to best bring this small beauty up to date after its recent haircut! We will paint the existing brick white, which is in great shape, letting the dark windows stand out and perhaps leave the brick accent around windows go unpainted. Also add some type of canopy over the porch and front door area? Low foundation landscaping around the porch and door area seems appropriate as well as along the walkway from sidewalk. Bringing it all together is a challenge. Thank you in advance for any and all ideas and suggestions!

Featured Answer

kandrewspa

last year

It looks perfect the way it is - there is no need to paint the brick white. Painting brick white is a passing fad and turns a no maintenance required surface into a maintenance required surface. I don't know if you'll be in the home long enough to regret it, but future owners would probably regret it and it would certainly deter me from buying it. You must be planning new landscaping come spring - after you do that it will be beautiful.

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Comments (31)

Claudianne Young
last year
This home couldn’t be cuter. Are those window box holders under the windows? What do you plan with them? A fence would be pretty with an arbor over the gate. Maybe add a new walkway.
delmorocks thanked Claudianne Young
shira sobel
last year
I think a black fence would be nice

and some landscaping

What a nice house when it isn't all hidden by the shrubbery
delmorocks thanked shira sobel
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AiFL
last year
Also in the don’t paint it camp, not universally though, some brick is just ugly, yours is very attractive. But I’d add back an awning or two though, something not as deep as before, with a big fat color plus white stripe and then spend time and money on landscaping.
delmorocks thanked AiFL
shira sobel
last year
I agree that you shouldn't paint the brick. The only place I would paint possibly would be trim (in black) and the bottom of the porch where the brick looks as bit worn in black.

It is in great shape and looks fantastic with the black.

Something like this porch without the roof.

Prince of Wales · More Info

Some modern landscaping will help as well
delmorocks thanked shira sobel
Iri
last year
Great house!

It would be a shame to paint that brick. Clean it, repair it, landscape it. Perhaps pick a new color for the wood trim.

The previous canopy/porch was well executed and (obviously) works with the patio. I would try to replicate that in nicer materials if I wanted some sort of cover.
delmorocks thanked Iri
houssaon
last year
It would be a shame to paint this lovely brick. The house looks great with the brown trim.

You just need some great landscaping.
delmorocks thanked houssaon
Indecisiveness
last year
Another vote for do not paint the brick!

The brick color is nice and looks to be in good shape.

Landscaping will help a lot, it looks a bit bare at the moment.
delmorocks thanked Indecisiveness
HU-187528210
last year
Agreed. The brick is absolutely gorgeous!!!! Magnificent!
All you need is landscaping and some outdoor Furniture!
It’ll come together really Nice! Love it.
delmorocks thanked HU-187528210
palimpsest
last year
How about a copper canopy over the door?

I would not paint the brick. There is nothing the matter with keeping the exterior in the 1940s, that's when it was built. It doesn't need to look like 2020.
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
last year
last modified: last year
Agree-landscaping. The house looks wonderful now! I would change the outdoor light to something larger and prettier and I would either get rid of (move to a post near the sidewalk or change the mailbox to something prettier also. I would choose both the light and mailbox in a bronze color to match the trim better than the black. You could widen the step and path as well. None of this would break the bank.

I really do like your house. Charming. Hard to tell how much space you have, but if there is room, I would add several smaller flowering trees and maybe something larger out from the house in addition to shrubs and flowers. Looks as if there was a garden around the front and side-well those huge shrubs at least. Glad they are gone. ETA: May I put in a plug for plants native to your area? Please please please!
delmorocks thanked cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
Akhilesh Joshi
last year
some landscaping ideas
delmorocks thanked Akhilesh Joshi
Cheryl BKaun
last year
I just LOVE your house! I can't wait to see it finished. Please post photos when it's done. Such curb appeal!
littlebug Zone 5 Missouri
last year
What a beautiful home you uncovered!! Truly very very nice. Don’t paint it.
laceyvail 6A, WV
last year
House needs at least one small trees near one of the corners. As you plan landscaping, consider tree placement to provide shade during the hottest sun of summer--to the W/SW.
misecretary
last year
Oh, I want this house! No need for paint or stain. Agree with all others, landscaping is all that is needed!
lisaam
last year
Your home has very nice proportions, brick in a great color, and if you save the painting money for landscaping you can finish it off in a truly special way. Charming
delmorocks
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Thanks everyone for your comments, ideas and renderings!! It appears unanimous for NOT painting the brick, and I guess I am slowly coming around to that option. Yes it is in great shape - just dirty around the bottom and where there were awnings so will be powerwashed. I'd love to know if anyone has more ideas on porch/front door roof/canopy and landscaping. Those provided are beautiful and really make the case for putting our efforts there. Here is another BEFORE picture that shows front yard. We will be adding a small living rom addition on the left side, identical to the right side, and we have plenty of room on corner lot for beautiful landscaping. IS THERE A FREE/LOW COST APP OR PROGRAM I CAN USE FOR DESIGNING SUCH A PROJECT? THANK YOU!

FYI - ZONE 7b!
Jilly
last year
last modified: last year
I’m so glad you changed your mind about painting the brick! It would ruin that house forever; it would remove all charm and character over a fad I hope is going away soon.

And your path is historically appropriate and wonderful!

Beautiful house, enjoy! :)
misecretary
last year

"We will be adding a small living rom addition on the left side, identical to the right side"

I think an attached pergola would be perfect for your home after you finish the addition.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fin.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F89157267609807442%2F&psig=AOvVaw2vR7FYm7fCjCs8WuK6GtW7&ust=1673715180047000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCNiFhImBxfwCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAH
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
You need an architect/ designer of some sort to draft the plans for permitting. For planning purposes, nothing beats 1/4" grid paper and a pencil.

Aesthetically I would match the right wing but make it look like it had been an open porch that had been filled in. This will also save you trying to match brick. FWIW another vote for not painting the brick (and I'm not a 'never paint brick' person)
K Laurence
last year
Please don’t paint the the brick ! It would be a shame.
Cheryl Smith
last year
please DON'T paint the brick! you take something that is low maintence to something you will have to repaint constantly. removeing the things you have is a 300% improvement. looks like there's already a couple spaces for window boxes to add some life and color. its a beautiful litte house
pricklypearcactus
last year
Your house looks so cute with its haircut! Like all the others, I hope you'll reconsider painting the brick. It is so charming the way it is now! The brick is really charming and pretty. I love how @Akhilesh Joshi renderings show just how wonderful the house will look with some landscaping. A powerwash will really help clean up the brick and make it shine.
Akhilesh Joshi
last year
Glad you liked the ideas. Since you asked for a low-cost app for designing a project, try www.dreamzar.app - I've been using it to explore new landscape design ideas, using photos of yards. But it's for iPhone/iPad only though. Wish there was an Android version.
delmorocks
Original Author
last year
Haley and Co, yes, we have an architect to with us on our final plans for submission and permitting. And I am LOVING the sunroom-ish look for the addition, for all the reasons you mentioned. I have always loved the "old school" rooms like the one you posted and now have a new direction to go in so thanks for that! Thanks for all the ohter comments as well!
housegal200
last year

Urban Home Magazine · More Info

Here's an addition to a brick house. Love the landscaping and red brick walkway.
Cottage garden · More Info
User
last year
It's SO sweet, I adore it. I think you just need a few simple additions. A wood awning over the porch with black metal railing (or wood rails). Or if you don't need a porch awning, get a little one for just above the door. Nothing is worse than trying to unlock your door in the rain. Add some new landscaping and paving stones of course. Keep it simple!

I'm all for painting ugly brick, but yours is not ugly. Red brick is classic and timeless.

I like the idea of sticking with a traditional look like Housegal's suggestions above. But your house is a simple enough design that you could also take it in a slightly more modern direction if you wanted to:
shira sobel
last year
The first thing that comes to mind would be to extend the porch with the extension

Dou you have a picture from further back that shows more....
PRO
Dig Doug's Designs
last year
Here are a few ideas:
delmorocks thanked Dig Doug's Designs
pat1250
last year
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