How to Soften Exterior of House to Match Interior
Currently finishing an addition to our old farmhouse which will be completely gutted out. The build is just about done, apart from windows and doors being installed. We have yet to put siding on and the covered porch, which also needs to be poured (concrete).
I have attached a photo of the current state of our house with the addition. I have also attached the draft our architect drew of the exterior of the house.
Both my husband and I love clean lines-a modern or contemporary look, but also appreciate the natural, softness that wood and stone can bring. I have found that I absolutely love French Country styled homes-with some modern touches.
I did not think of any curvature in the plan for the house until now..I absolutely love arched doorways/doors and some windows. The windows we’ve ordered are casement with no grids-we love the idea of being able to see out the window with a nice clear view (I’ve never liked screens, but it’s a necessity!). Windows we ordered are black. Our exterior will be black (Onyx by Diamond Kote). Our shingles are also black. We will have wood pillars for the porch and hopefully wood accents on the house.
I have attached some inspiration photos for the exterior of the house.
My question is how can we soften the exterior house with all these clean, straight lines-if possible? And will it be silly to have any arched doorways in the house? I don’t even think that will happen as that may be out of our budget, and we already have the doorways framed for regular doors.
Comments (19)
last monthHere are the rest of the photos:
(1) Architect’s drawing of exterior of house
(3) Inspiration photos
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Not sure how to edit my post, but I thought I should add we will also have a wood burning fireplace to the right side as you will see in the architect’s drawing.
Here is a photo of a bathroom my husband and I both really love that is not like the crisp, clean modern look we also love.
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Comments (8)You already did the inside, yes? The inside trim, while you may love Craftsman style, is at odds with the feeling of the house. Just a simpler, palin and beefier trim to the exterior. Craftsman, is SO obviously a trim style, it is best where it makes sense.......and the doors are particularly telling. Some styles work anywhere. A single recessed panel, a two panel at most. Neither screams any specific style. Craftsman is another story, altogether. In your home? It's the pics below. Fits.....and maybe too much a style "stretch". Nobody would suggest that a sixties or seventies home must retain slab doors and ranch molding. But you don't want a gigantic "surprise" , either. You can't take a frosted San Francisco Victorian, and be anything but shocked to find it stripped of all trim inside, anymore than a farmhouse would be laden with gooey frosting INSIDE. For those expensive re trimming projects? Consider the feel. Carefully. : )...See MoreRelated Professionals
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Ours is a different style, but similar in that we have dark siding in a pattern (Hardie Iron Gray) with matching Iron Gray trim, a black roof and black casement windows. We leaned into the landscaping - including a curved walkway - to help soften the outside.
Here's a mid-construction shot but you gives you an idea...
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PROlast monthMaybe you want to break up all that board and batten siding with other materials or a bellyband.
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last monthlast modified: last monthDownplay the new Left/Right dichotomy by emphasizing the horizontal elements--divide the structure into an Upper/Lower design of the two stories by painting the first floor gray (or a color) and the upper floor in white. --A take on Bev's last inspo photo. My sketch:
French Blue
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last monthlast modified: last monthI have an idea for the front of the gable. Make it resemble a barn. Keep with the white and add some windows and doors...
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chispa