Browse Forums Renovation + Home Improvement 1 Mar 31, 2012 9:38 am We have recently purchased a home of which we love the inside, but feel the exterior is pretty bland. The house is only two years old, so we dont want to go crazy, and the estate guideline wont let us either. They state the majority of the facade to be in red brick, not a ultra modern design, but also not a period reproduction We want it to blend in, but also give it a more modern edge. Its really hard to find something similar to this layout using red brick and cream windows unless its a cottage style or a volume builder low budget build, which is what we already have. I dont feel it really fits in with the other houses in the street (All 5-15 year old two storey brick volume build macmansions). Another option is to get the aluminium window frames resprayed a different colour on the front of the house, but haven't got that one priced up yet. We were thinking about extending the portico to meet the edge of the house, and either render or wood panelling to give it a wider, more inviting entrance but I'm finding it difficult to obtain images of anything similar and I think it would look more out of place with a full front of render as not one house in the street has done that. If anyone has any ideas for the facade materials, colours or finishes I'm all ears! The front yard needs less rock and more green, and we were also thinking if replacing the timber screen with something more substantial, maybe bluestone or rendered pillars with timber slats... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Any and all suggestions welcome! Re: Ideas on facade update please 2Apr 03, 2012 2:59 pm I honestly can't think of any changes that would improve teh look. Th things I do think of just make me think it will look like something is being hidden, which is always a bad idea. So the front of your house is bland, mine is too. Its a big front to change and make an impact without being very hit and miss. Re: Ideas on facade update please 3Apr 03, 2012 3:32 pm Would concentrate more on the front garden, reduce the height of the building with taller plants, maybe a structure. Offset the path so its not straight to the front door and leading your eye directly at the façade. Landscape Design & Construction http://cherub.squarespace.com/ Ideas on facade update please 4Apr 04, 2012 11:45 am The front garden does need a substantial change! I'll have to start looking at designing something there, and I'm not a big fan of the path atm, so that can change. What were you thinking structure wise? Thanks for the honest advise ! Keep it coming, good or bad... Re: Ideas on facade update please 5Apr 04, 2012 11:47 am What is the outlook towards the front? Landscape Design & Construction http://cherub.squarespace.com/ Re: Ideas on facade update please 6Apr 04, 2012 12:26 pm cherub Would concentrate more on the front garden, reduce the height of the building with taller plants, maybe a structure. Offset the path so its not straight to the front door and leading your eye directly at the façade. I was thinking the same about the path - it needs to have a few bends in it to add interest. I was wondering if you could add a few cocos palms for height and some fan palms Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ or phoenix robellinii (we had them and the are easy to maintain and look great) adding to what is already there. Here is a kentia palm pic to give you an idea of what I mean ... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The downpipe at the front doesn't help either does it? Maybe that could be painted in a colour that doesn't jump out at you. You could add some sheer curtains to the windows - they wouldn't cost much and would make the house look more inviting - blinds are very bland. I would make these sorts of changes first and then see whether you want to spend money on the facade ... could be exxy. Good luck and keep us posted!! For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Ideas on facade update please 7Apr 04, 2012 1:27 pm The outlook from the from is more a traditional one, old oak trees lining the streets, wider than average street, nice green lawns and lots of foliage... This house stands out like a sore thumb in comparison! I like the idea of adding height with more trees and plants, but I'm afraid I'll have to look for more traditional european varieties (maples elms oak ect) if I want to blend in, or stand out but in a good way... I'll see if I can get a pic of the street up tonight Re: Ideas on facade update please 8Apr 05, 2012 6:07 am My thoughts:- >< Extend front porch >< Change paint colour on porch and downpipe >< Reuse path stones and lay them as a curved cottage path or stepping stones >< Install timber window frames and front door >< Current plants OK just need to be repositioned >< Plant some fast growing shrubs or small trees >< Add some nice green grass Regards, Grumbles Re: Ideas on facade update please 9Apr 05, 2012 8:46 pm As promised, some more pics of the immediate area around the house.... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The front porch needs extending for sure What colour would you go for the downpipes and porch?, would a grey/ charcoal be too different with those cream windows? Im tipping changing out the windows would be a little exxy, although I havent gotten quotes. I agree with the curved path idea, maybe take it to the left of the tree and sweep it around in an arc towards the porch Small trees; we were thinking ornamental pear, japanese maple or something similar in style, not too big for a front yard, but will certainly take away from the starkness of the red bricks we are not huge fans of the crushed rock landscaping, we will endevour to get some grass happening in the near future here is an aerial shot to get a better idea of the layout. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Cheers for all the helpful advise doogs Re: Ideas on facade update please 12Apr 05, 2012 11:36 pm I agree- extend portico and render it or use a neutral stone cladding if budget permits. But meanwhile, for a quick, less expensive fix, try the simple approach: Eliminate the boring straight path and use pavers or a path material that will blend in harmoniously with the planned garden. Paint the downpipe to match brick colour to "hide" it. Paint the front door (perhaps to match the roof? Black door adds drama and looks great against red brick! Update your door furniture as well to something that will stand out against the new colour. Or buy a modern timber door with inset glass to add an interesting feature to the facade? New exterior lights that are well placed can also add a lot of visual interest. Finally, emphasise the soft curving lines of garden beds with edging. This will soften the look created by all those hard straight brick lines. Re: Ideas on facade update please 13Apr 27, 2012 11:11 am This pic might give you some inspiration for the garden...or not! This home looks a little like your house minus the awning. The garden is much smaller, but it's just a selection of evergreens: dwarf conifers, bushes and large trees planted for foliage colour and shape, once established it would be extremely low maintenance. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Ideas on facade update please 14May 20, 2012 10:21 am . We moved into our new home last week, and have been busy making changes...rebuilt the courtyard fence, made a letter box, and looking at putting in that curved path. I also wanted to paint the down pipes in the same colour as the gutters(woodland grey), but my dw feels it would be too much grey. I dont like the cream it is now. I need peoples opinions. I think after we get a little more greenery into the yard, i think it will all tie together nicely... What do you all think? Re: Ideas on facade update please 15May 20, 2012 3:10 pm Personally I wouldn't make a feature of the downpipes at all by painting them a contrasting colour. Downpipes are necessary but ugly. I would blend them with brick colour to hide them... You want everyone to focus on the interesting features of your house, such as the portico entry and front door, and make them inviting. Ideas on facade update please 16May 20, 2012 9:07 pm I see your point, but to hide them, they would have to go red, I havent seen that done to good effect around here, although I have seen houses with the same colour brick and roof as me, paint their downpipes the same as their roof/ gutter selection. Have you seen what you are speaking of? Cheers for the feedback! Re: Ideas on facade update please 17May 21, 2012 9:10 am You've made a huge difference already ... looking good For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Ideas on facade update please 18May 21, 2012 6:52 pm doogs82 I see your point, but to hide them, they would have to go red, I havent seen that done to good effect around here, although I have seen houses with the same colour brick and roof as me, paint their downpipes the same as their roof/ gutter selection. Have you seen what you are speaking of? Cheers for the feedback! Yes, I have, and it works only if the brick is solid colour like yours... Otherwise they are painted a lighter contrast colour. Congrats on the start you've made, you've been busy!!! Ideas on facade update please 19May 24, 2012 3:45 pm Thanks! I know what I don't want (something that looks un cohesive) but haven't really set in stone the plan yet. We were minus a letterbox, so that was priority 1, and being we have 2 front yards, one with open type fencing, the courtyard was out only private space- cue the solid fence there! I'm looking at putting a curved U shaped ledge stone wall around the centre tree in our main front yard and run the path either side of that and then form a single, wide path the the front door. It will take the focus off the front of the house and also provide a screen from the front door towards the footpath. A little ground cover and some up lighting, and hope it will look good. I hope my enthusiasm will back up my grand plans! Path wise, I'm thinking large format dark pavers or saw cut charcoal concrete.... What do you guys think? This is the stuff I'm thinking of for the stone wall.... Re: Ideas on facade update please 20May 24, 2012 3:51 pm You've got some great ideas .. will definitely draw the eye away from those downpipes! For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Thank you @. 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