Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jul 02, 2010 10:08 pm Hi all guru's, After moving into my build and working on getting the inside of my house just right, fake lawn in (because I am WAY too lazy to mow and don't like water wastage) and little touches sorted. I am now doing things backwards and realising just how blah and boring the front of my house looks. I have thought of a few things to improve it, such as red granite for the nature strip (but that will have to wait at $2,500 to complete and can be ripped up anytime by government if they want!!!) and putting up plantation shutters on the external of the front window (but I don't know how good that will look or last) and considering that has been quoted at $2000, I would like to be sure of that one too!! So, I was thinking of maybe a small fence along the front, just for a bit of privacy for the front window and break up the blah, but have no idea of a fence design! What I would like to know is if someone can suggest a way to make it look better without paying a fortune OR even if it costs a few thousand... I would appreciate a suggestion that would look good, works and is tested (and has an example). I have since replaced the screen door in the picture with one the same colour as the door!! Any input/ideas/suggestions VERY welcome!!!! http://img718.imageshack.us/i/img1269v.jpg/ Thanks, Vanessa Land Settled 02 Oct 11 Final Build contract Dec 11 Pre-Start 19 Jan 12 Construction Licence 25 Jan 12 Still waiting for final plans to go to slab list Blog @ http://nessieshouse.webs.com Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 2Jul 02, 2010 10:32 pm Nice house. Simple yet very effective. I don't think you need to do much. I see you want plantation shutters. What about timber venetians or dark roller blinds. I really don't think you need to change much nor do I think you need a fence. What I look at 1st are the blinds. That's where I am drawn to and if you changed the blinds, cheap wooden ones from Spotlight or a dark roller blind will be cost effective, Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 3Jul 02, 2010 10:41 pm Thanks Dollar, That is really a great idea.... I might try and leave up the current blinds and put timber venetians closer to the window (As a double layer I suppose) as the privacy is a big issue. The front window is a bedroom window! But I love the fact it would bring the timber look across and yes, break that up!! Thank you!!! And thanks for the compliment too... I suppose living in a suburb full of very big beautiful homes, I sometimes get a little underwhelmed with my own!! Land Settled 02 Oct 11 Final Build contract Dec 11 Pre-Start 19 Jan 12 Construction Licence 25 Jan 12 Still waiting for final plans to go to slab list Blog @ http://nessieshouse.webs.com Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 4Jul 02, 2010 10:55 pm No worries. Yes venetians can lack the privacy factor but I think just by changing them you will find it will be effective and if you still feel you need the fence, at least you looked at other cheaper alternatives beforehand. It's quite interesting because tonight went for a drive, our estate is still being developed so houses all over the place. Any way drove past one house in particular and seriously every light was ON, every blind was OPEN (even the front...at night). I could see their furniture and the woman getting herself all glitzy ready for a big night out I guessed. Strange. It's bizarre. Some people don't mind who's watching them. In fact I think some people like it. Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 5Jul 02, 2010 11:02 pm Hey, I'm hoping that by "double blinding" I can get away with no fence!!! LOL I have the full roller blinds the whole way through the house and only open them to the point where people can't see from over the fence. The major problem with the current blind in the front window is I NEVER open it! So no light for the front room which is sad and that venetian trick would just be PERFECT!!! Wow, you must have had an interesting drive though!! LOL I must admit, there are quiet a few people in my suburb (Also mostly under construction) that have a 'look what I have' mentality with lights/blinds open but no where near as bad as what you described!!!! Land Settled 02 Oct 11 Final Build contract Dec 11 Pre-Start 19 Jan 12 Construction Licence 25 Jan 12 Still waiting for final plans to go to slab list Blog @ http://nessieshouse.webs.com Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 6Jul 02, 2010 11:04 pm She was wearing something really sparkly-lots of sequins. lol. Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 8Jul 02, 2010 11:11 pm Judie Another thing you could do is to have tall plants at either end of the garden bed under the window. It would frame that section nicely. Judie After looking at the photo I was about to post exactly the same thing! Henley - Wilshire Mk 3 ... I love my house!! Site start: 4th Feb 09 Handover: 10th Sep 09 Blog: http://stormygirlscastle.blogspot.com/ Build Thread: viewtopic.php?t=7166 Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 9Jul 02, 2010 11:13 pm Funny you should both say that.... I had been looking for mature yukkas to put on each side and then started getting concerned that I was forcing a contemporary look on a house that I just can't seem to work out what style it actually is!! I have been looking for something else ever since..... Land Settled 02 Oct 11 Final Build contract Dec 11 Pre-Start 19 Jan 12 Construction Licence 25 Jan 12 Still waiting for final plans to go to slab list Blog @ http://nessieshouse.webs.com Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 10Jul 03, 2010 7:50 am I think the cedar colour on your roller door and post box are lovely and a real feature - it would not cost much to have the gable over your bedroom window re clad in something to match - real cedar or something like modwood (no maintenance timber look alike) - that would look great - imo Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 11Jul 03, 2010 8:23 am What about painting the gable above the bedroom window in a colour to match the garage door and mailbox? As long as it's a solarguard type paint it should last many years without needing to be repainted. A timber venetian blind in the bedroom would also give a bit more wow factor for little outlay and I would also consider a smallish tree near the right front corner. Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 12Jul 03, 2010 10:41 am I agree that the colour of the gable infill doesn't do much for the facade - the light coloured bricks and whilte windows are lovely, but a darker colour for gable and door frame would give things a lift. A less plain window treatment would help too. I wouldn't put shutters on the outside though. I think that mainly though, your garden is letting you down - the house itself is nice. There's nothing wrong with plain, it let's you add a "wow!" feature or two without making the place look like an overdone Christmas tree. Judie's and Stormy's suggestion of a couple of tall plants is a good one, but some plants in the garden beds that pack a bit of punch, plus a pretty feature tree would work too. Love your letterbox! Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 13Jul 03, 2010 6:37 pm Thank you so much all!!!!! I have hated the gable for a while but thought it would cost a bomb to change as when I asked the builder to do cedar or the fake cladding, they said it wasn't possible and if I did it, it would cost at least an extra $5000 with an external provider So, I am now looking into some options as I would LOVE that part to match!!!! I am also looking into timber venetians to replace my roller blinds, Freedom have a massive sale ATM so that will really help! I also have a gift voucher for the natives nursery here in Canberra, so I will fill the front garden portion out some more, I am just not sure what I will use yet. Colour, neatness and ease it at the top of my list though! I have also just planted a dwarf crab apple in the front (in the fake grass) just off centre of the front window so that it gives a little privacy too.... it looks like a twig buried in grass ATM, but I am sure it will look awesome when it matures. I have also started looking into putting up one of those cedar/merbau pre-made screens from bunnings off to the far right of my yard to screen my bin area, I just have to figure out how to mount the thing myself!!! (Gee I wish I was handy!!) I have a lovely white pot with a cumquat tree that I plan to put in front of the screen there too. I will also put something either side of that window.... anyone got any suggestions on what plants would look good there?? Thanks heaps to all, you rock!!!! Land Settled 02 Oct 11 Final Build contract Dec 11 Pre-Start 19 Jan 12 Construction Licence 25 Jan 12 Still waiting for final plans to go to slab list Blog @ http://nessieshouse.webs.com Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 14Jul 03, 2010 6:39 pm Oh, and thanks about the letterbox!!! I'm glad I got it, love it to bits and have even had people on my front doorstep asking where I got it! LOL I got the tip about invogue (the letterbox place) from this forum, so this forum is well and truly on my favourites!!! Land Settled 02 Oct 11 Final Build contract Dec 11 Pre-Start 19 Jan 12 Construction Licence 25 Jan 12 Still waiting for final plans to go to slab list Blog @ http://nessieshouse.webs.com Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 15Jul 03, 2010 6:46 pm 2 things will make it look better. Take the fly screen off the front door, and put timber blinds on the front window. This will complement the garage door and the nice timber letter box. I didn’t read everyone else’s comments, so sorry if I doubled up here. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 16Jul 03, 2010 6:50 pm Thanks Michelle, you've just confirmed what everyone else has said, which makes me more confident to go ahead!! I have already replaced the white door (bit of an old picture) and it is now the same colour as the door. Thank you for your help!! Land Settled 02 Oct 11 Final Build contract Dec 11 Pre-Start 19 Jan 12 Construction Licence 25 Jan 12 Still waiting for final plans to go to slab list Blog @ http://nessieshouse.webs.com Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 17Jul 03, 2010 6:53 pm You’re very welcome. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 18Jul 03, 2010 7:59 pm Have you thought about window tint for the front window? We renovated our investment property and I had the front of the house tinted in a fairly dark slightly mirrored window tint and it lifted the facade so much, particularly if you have privacy issues. I also think the gable colour needs to be changed and some more interesting plants by either side of the window. I don't think you have to do too much, it's a nice, fresh looking facade. Good luck. Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 19Jul 03, 2010 9:56 pm Thank you Jaelee, that is a unique idea... definitely hadn't thought of it!!! I think I am definitely sold on the venetian blinds now..... just not sure about changing facade, as apparently it is really hard to paint the vinyl cladding and there is no such thing as timber effects I have gone out and requested quotes to change the cladding, but am worried about how much that will cost. Maybe with just the change of blinds, that will be enough (rather than the cladding too) Still researching plants for either side the window................ so still open to suggestions Land Settled 02 Oct 11 Final Build contract Dec 11 Pre-Start 19 Jan 12 Construction Licence 25 Jan 12 Still waiting for final plans to go to slab list Blog @ http://nessieshouse.webs.com Re: What do I do with the plainest house frontage in the wor 20Jul 03, 2010 10:15 pm Thinking about theses either side of the window for colour....... http://www.flemings.com.au/topten_detai ... D=CERCAVON Land Settled 02 Oct 11 Final Build contract Dec 11 Pre-Start 19 Jan 12 Construction Licence 25 Jan 12 Still waiting for final plans to go to slab list Blog @ http://nessieshouse.webs.com 4 4492 You’re on the right track, wire brush in a grinder then a zinc rich epoxy primer then a top coat of some sort, like a waterproofing membrane. Raising the concrete would… 1 7031 How good is Simeon?! Always taking time to help others out! Wish we were building in NSW and could work together. Thanks for all that you do! 7 6571 |