How to improve this grim facade?
We purchased this house in coastal Georgia and plan to live there while we search for waterfront land to build a new home on.
The plusses:
It's marsh front, on a very pretty large lot (we are buying the adjacent lot also), and it's well built, lovely pool, huge nicely-fenced yard, 3 car garage, very large deck, travertine flooring, etc.
The minuses:
The front facade is just awful, from the stained tabby stucco to the odd (ugly red) front door placement, to the cheap shutters, crummy stairs, cheesy porch... UGH.
I am thinking to remove the front stairs and small porch/overhang altogether and add a porch of some kind, but realizing that the back of the home is the focus and the living space, I don't really want to sink too much expense into a front porch.
Also, the septic tank is in the front yard, so I can't make the front porch too large.
Here is what I would like to accomplish.
1. Add value by improving appearance
2. Have a safer, less steep access to the front door
3. Make it so that if I remove/close off the current front door and change the front door access to where the middle window is (by taking the 4th bedroom away, adding a powder room and changing the hallway to the center of the house) that the porch will still serve that option.
So I am thinking to put a porch that runs from midway between the first and third windows, and maybe put a landing partway down the stairs and have stairs that run parallel to the house so that it gives access from both sides?
Your thoughts, and maybe an idea of cost?
Also, in the interim, what kind of plantings or container plants could we do in the front to improve the appearance. (We will be power washing first thing!)
Thanks so much!
Comments (16)
oakrunfarm
2 months agoRelated Discussions
Cearbhaill's unattractive facade house
Comments (24)Cearbhaill, when you threw this house out as an example on the foundation planting thread, I thought it was very helpful in promoting a more tangible discussion. It is helpful for my own thought process to have it more fully fleshed out in this thread. I also really like modest homes. I particularly like the bed lay-out yaarkvark proposed. I think it works either with or without the small tree between the windows. The bed could be simplified by using mulch instead of a ground cover. It might be worth while to invest in good edging to make mowing easier. I'm no expert but have a few photos from my time scouring the web that you might find interesting. Both of them use a rock bed right around the house and very simple plantings placed away from the house [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/asian-contemporary-contemporary-landscape-milwaukee-phvw-vp~329038) [Contemporary Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2103) by Milwaukee Landscape Designer Ginkgo Leaf Studio [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/lafayette-residence-modern-exterior-austin-phvw-vp~303206) [Modern Exterior design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-exterior-home-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_736~s_2105) by Austin General Contractor Texas Construction Company From your description it sounds like the motivation for improvement is to help the house sell down the road, but when the time comes to sell, the location will offer much of the appeal. For what it's worth, I would do whatever makes your mom and you the most happy (thinking especially about your time commitment) and not feel obligated to make upgrades....See Moreideas on how to remodel/improve fireplace mantle?
Comments (23)paintergirl94 - yep, way too contemporary for us. I mean, we live in a not old house but we not fans of contemporary at all. justgottabe me - what's that the say about the shoemaker's kids go barefoot? :) I hope you get your cabinets soon. curyly - yes, I think I'll need a rug too, once I get the paint picked and can figure out if I want a couple more chairs in there. Wow, Joann, your home is lovely and I am in awe that you made all those mantles and that beautiful furniture. What I love about your pieces is that it doesn't look like something newly made, but something that has been in the house for years and blends with antiques. Wish we had those skills but alas, ours run in a different direction. I really appreciate all the info that I can pass to the handyman. I sent him one email last night and he sounded very up for the challenge. I'm thinking though, that I will go ahead and get the room painted and everything else mostly arranged so then we can focus on the mantle. And Joann, gardener me is over the moon at your beautiful pond pics. I had those bookmarked a few years ago when we were looking for houses and had hoped to be able to put in a pond. Alas we have too small of a yard for one (just several water pondless features instead.) but your pond pages are still some of my favorites. Oh, and paintergil, here's the picture over the fireplace. I know the other things on the mantle are out of scale and can be moved around though the bronze figurine will likely stay there. Jan - love that you noticed that dark bowl on top of the other cabinet and my blue and white! I can't wait to get to tablescaping....my favorite part of decorating! Now back to the paint store for more samples to slap on some boards. I am almost sold on Baby Turtle in this room but since it gets very little natural light, I worry that it will be too dark. I can't seem to find another green/brown that has as much depth or interest or whatever you call it. :) Flowering Herbs, the next one up from Baby Turtle, seems too light. Thank you, again, all. So many wonderful things to think about....See MoreHow can I can update the facade of this trilevel?
Comments (2)1) Paint the siding. 2) Paint the front door and either put in a full glass storm door or remove it. 3) Change out the wrought iron columns and railing to something else. Style would depend on your likes. 4) Landscaping. If you're interested in seeing some virtual makeovers check out my web site, Creative Visual Concepts. I can show you virtually how changes to your house could look....See MoreImproving curb appeal and facade of Florida Spanish house
Comments (12)I like the cream color. To me, it's soft and inviting. White will not look "hacienda". The most striking things to me are the garage doors (too plain), the expanse of concrete, and the pitiful palm tree in the center of the driveway ring. I think I would do the kind of driveway that had grass interwoven into it. This will help with runoff, too. You could at least do the center medallion like that. IMO break up that concrete! Aside from replacing the garage doors (I'm thinking echo the curve from the windows, atrium, and the front porch), I would have greenery draped from above o a trellis, to break up the expanse. I'm a big fan of bougainvillea and it always looks "hacienda". To luxe things up, I agree that the steps need redo-ing. It the very least, make them wider with curved sides, again, echoing the curves of the windows. Too much vegetation in front of that one window, IMO. It's blocking the house....See Moreoakrunfarm
2 months agoI do think you are correct in your summary. It is flood-ready with an elevation certification and other mitigation.
I also agree that a staircase in the front that would accomplish what I want to do would need to be large, and there is limited space for it. This is what I had in mind that is common in this area. (This is in the same neighborhood.) It looks like it could project 15'+, and that's not available space.
Thanks for your input.
oakrunfarm
2 months agolast modified: 2 months agosimplynatural
2 months agolast modified: 2 months agoA few ideas, with porch/door as is (except color) and with a widened porch and relocated door:
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