Help me with my mid-80s split level exterior.

[RandZB]

We live in a four level split, with the garage partially underground.  Here's a photo from when we first looked at the house 7 years ago.  It's a bad photo but it's the only one I have available to me.  The garage is below the main level of the house on the left.



The trees in front are already gone (rotted trunks), the front yard has been leveled and sodded, the lattices are gone from under that deck monstrosity, and the little bushy area on the right has been replaced with hydrangeas and rogue butterfly bushes.  I want to rip all of it out and put elephant ears.  Underneath the deck is just brush.  Taking off the deck isn't in the budget right now, but eventually I would like to rebuild a smaller front porch that stops at the chimney.  What would you do with this house, long-range?  We didn't really think we would be here this long, and it doesn't look like moving is anywhere close on the horizon so I want to give it a little curb appeal.  I'd like to paint it a darker taupe color and keep the trim bright white, and I am toying with the idea of a funky front door since the rest of the place is so boring.  Would you paint the deck?  DH has been replacing rotted boards piece by piece as he gets time, but it's slow going because it's pretty big.  I just need some inspiration for my poor little house.

[RandZB]

I'm in Georgia, and now that I think about it any time my elephant ears have done really well it has been in shaded areas; that is in full sun any time of year. Boo. I'm not much of a gardener so I like things that just come back year after year. Our old house was so expertly planted that we had things blooming year-round and I only had to water. I don't have that kind of talent. I was thinking a turquoise or mint door just because I love those colors and have seen it done here and there.

[emjacobs]

Paint the door.
Change the light next to the door, it needs to be much larger.
Paint or stain the porch.

[emjacobs]

Oct 24, 2013 12:56:19 GMT -5 FormerlyRR said:

Oct 24, 2013 12:48:46 GMT -5 emjacobs said:

Paint the door.
Change the light next to the door, it needs to be much larger.
Paint or stain the porch.

You'd think I would have noticed the light! Speaking of which, I'm going to do the back door light now. I had to wait for dry weather. 

I'm waiting!!! *taps foot*

[RandZB]

Oh yeah, that lovely brass light is long gone.  This is what is up there now:


I had originally thought about painting the door navy blue, but then thought that might be too dark or drab since I'm trying to liven up the house.  I like the burnt orange idea.  It would go well with our giant Auburn flag on the side of the porch.  In other news, I can't wait until football season is over so I can take that thing down.

[emjacobs]

I think you could do a glossy cobalt blue front door and it would look great.

[InBetweenDays]

To take away from the 80's feel I'd style it more modern. I'd probably replace the front door with a large single pane frosted glass (or regular glass but frosted would give you privacy) like the one below. But do the trim in a cool color - an orange or red.



I'd maybe paint the house in a taupy grey color, but I'd consider doing the trim in a similar color as the siding but a darker shade. Kind of like the trim around the door and small window in picture below (but ignore the white trim around the big window).


I'd paint the deck to blend more with the house (maybe match the trim) so it doesn't jump out at you as much. I'd replace the light with something more substantial and modern

I'd plant some large ornamental grasses in front of the deck,

and I'd get some colorful planters to put on the deck.

[msmerymac]

I would definitely do something in the bushes area over there, something substantial in the middle that won't block the windows.

This might be a huge long shot, but is there an option to reface the chimney? It looks like the same siding as your house, but if there was a way to do brick or stone clad it would break it up and add some visual interest when you tear off the deck.

[magdala]

Paint the door turquoise rather than the mint. The mint will not contrast enough with the beige of the house. Is it possible to put something colorful on the chimney? A variegated wreath or a large welcome sign. The expanse of beige there is off-putting. I would paint the deck to match the house and add turquoise planters to carry the color onto the desk. Ornamental grasses or other bushy plants in front of the lattice is good. I would keep some form of lattice to keep animals from nesting under there. I would paint the lattice to match the deck/house color.

[RandZB]

You know, refacing the chimney wouldn't be a bad idea if we can do it right. I will start looking for something to put on the chimney, I agree that the big wall-o-beige is not a good look. Would some sort of iron hanging work? Or I was thinking an Italian cypress in a large planter? I'm looking for a few quick fixes that I can do myself, as our budget isn't allowing for major renovations right now. I just need to slap some lipstick on that pig until we can get the entire house painted next year.