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Remodeling Landscape Design Exterior

Ideas to improve 70s split level mansard roof exterior?

12 months ago

We are doing remodeling on our house interior, which includes converting the garage into living space. So the garage doors will be changed into windows. The GC will attempt to brick-match, but there is high chance it will be noticeable. So we will likely need to paint the brick to hide it. And in general, not big fans of the current house exterior, especially the mansard roof. Based on GC advice/research completely removing mansard roof will be too expensive.
Any suggestions on how to make the exterior more appealing? What could we do to make the house less top heavy? Color scheme to consider? Thank you!!!

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Comments (6)

cat_ky
12 months ago
I dont mind the mansard roof at all. It looks nice. Once you convert that garage, dont forget to remove the entire driveway and relocate it. A drive in front of it, once its converted, looks silly.
Melissa L
12 months ago
I love your house! And this is kind of wacky, but could you lean into it by putting some fun, super textured roofing on the mansard part since you already have interesting texture with the brick? This would ask for funky landscaping, too, but you could trim your shrubs into spheres, some leggy…
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Of all the renditions, I like jterrilynn's last one best. It doesn't fight the original 70s contemporary style -- and perhaps is the least expensive option too. One could quibble over the choice of colors, but I think the bicolor scheme with the top color carried over to the pergola & support columns, and pergola top being at the same level, size, & color as with the center trim band are terrific. It's balanced, it's clean lined, it's attractive. The wider trim around the squarish windows and on the sides works really well. I love jterrilynn's placement of the address numbers -- so simple and so effective. Great job, jterrilynn.
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The shrubs that block sight lines to the front door need to be removed. Can you add photos? The one you have is a good overview, but doesn’t give enough detail. Stand about 30’ straight out from the front door and turn your body so you are facing the left property line. Take a series of photos from the same place by rotating your body to create a set of slightly overlapping photos that span from the left property line to the right property line. We need to be able to see location of first floor windows, existing beds, walkways, front entry, etc.
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Comments (2)
IMO no shutters , no window boxes neither of those suit the house.I would choose a roof color from the brick and then paint the rest of the siding the same add some white trim around the windows if you like or a bit darker around the windows , a front door with more glass , the garage door the same as the siding.Then some large planters filled with seaonal plantings on either side of the steps. I would also do lower plantings in front of the windows so removing all those taller shrubs that when filled out will hide too much of the lower part of the house.This type of look.
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70s Split Level
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Comments (15)
First, remove all the decor items from the house and yard. Since you opted to paint the brick, picking the gray was a good move. Paint the siding on the ground floor to match the brick. Remove the shutters; the siding may be discolored compared to what's been protected behind them, so plan a power wash and possibly new paint. Remove the carpet on the steps, paint the railings and your front door black. A tear out of the overgrown and straggly shrubbery will improve the house, and you may find new areas needing paint. Take photos to a local nursery that has knowledgeable people to help you select new plants that will thrive in your locale. Be sure to enlarge the bed under the bay window and add a curve to it that replicates what's above it. Looks like new HVAC is in your future. Unless you have pets or small children who play in the back yard, I would remove the CLF. It is industrial or farm fencing and is the one item that lowers the value of a home. Can the BB hoop and trash bins be moved to the back of the home so they don't contribute to the unsightliness of the home. You'll be surprised at how much curb appeal can be added with a simple cleanup of junky stuff that should not be features of a well maintained home.
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Kate K
Original Author
12 months ago
@melissa thank you! The mansard is so heavy, I wish I could just get rid of it. We were thinking of painting the house white, but I’m worried it will make the roof look even more like it swallows the house
Rachel Lee
12 months ago
Paint the house the same color as the roof and the roof will just read as texture. Have the driveway terminate out from the house and create a little area between it and the house with some planter boxes to change the “garage to living” appearance.
HU-918119203
12 months ago
If you're going to paint your brick, I'd consider doing it a darker color rather than white so that the roof blends better. Painting the brick white will end up emphasizing the mansard. Maybe this is a bit counterintuitive, but I'd also consider removing the bushes in front of the first floor of the mansard section. Because they are concealing the brick, they're contibuting to the top-heavy feeling. To add more visual interest to the main part of your house, I would bulk up the column holding up your porch, and maybe do more than one. I would also add some decorating casing around the windows on the first floor to draw the eye down. If you're not going to have a garage, I agree with the suggestion of moving the driveway and I would create a "parking court" in front of the front door, but with gravel or oil-and-stone rather than asphalt.
Kate K
Original Author
11 months ago
Thanks for the advice! I didn’t think of it, but painting dark does make sense.

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