WWYD with this house exterior (PIP)?

[Susie]

New listing today, we have an appointment to see it tomorrow.  

This house looks like the total opposite of the one we saw on Tuesday, lol.  That one was all charm, but too much of a hot mess to take on.  This one is listed for about the same price, and I find the exterior charmless -- but otherwise, it checks almost every box on our list.

_x_ 4 bedrooms (has 5)
_x_ 2.5+ baths (has 2 full, 2 half)
_x_ neighborhood setting
_x_ large kitchen
_x_ natural gas line (and natural gas cook top)
_x_ wood burning fireplace
_x_ 2 car garage
_x_ first floor laundry
_x_ level, fence-able yard for kids/dogs

It's a little shy on lot size (0.37, we were hoping for 0.50 acre), and it's shy on curb appeal IMO.  One can't be fixed, the other can.   







It's eminently practical as an option... I just don't love the 70s vibe.  WWYD with it?

Carriage style garage door?  New siding?  Make the brick (or do stone) continuous on the deeper part of the facade?  Add a porch?

[aprilsails]

This is really similar to my house growing up (although mine was a touch more 80s) so it doesn’t bother me, but I know it is a certain aesthetic

My first idea is to add a porch with balcony across the second floor. It would frame the two floors. Make the window above the front door a single or double French door style (not sliding doors).

I actually really like the green. So I don’t know what else to suggest there.

I’ll be honest that at our first house we desperately hated the exterior and did absolutely nothing to change it in the 10 years we lived there. So...

[icedcoffee]

I don't love it, but I don't hate it either. I'd probably do nothing unless it needed it because of the condition. I would prefer a door without the ornateness of the glass. I'd also get rid of the post to the right of the door which I imagine is to hang a potted plant? I'd probably get rid of the window box too.

And for sure get rid of the vein thing growing in the gutters on the top left. LOL

New outdoor lights would probably make a big difference too.

[Susie]

I think what's bothering me is the asymmetry of the third with the brick.  Like, why?  It bothers me that that's the only brick, and also that the part that sticks out the furthest isn't centered.  I agree a different door would be good.  Something about the deep overhang also doesn't thrill me.  IDK.  It's very much a 1976 house in 2021.  I wish I had more fondness for that era.

[simpsongal]

It's odd to me that there's brick on the front and yet the chimney isn't brick. You could 'lean in' to the style and change the lights/door and maybe add a 70s ish porch and garage door, but would you be happy with that look? That would probably be the least expensive change (but still pricey).

I think it would look nice w/new horizontal siding, shutters, and an overhang. The garage door looks relatively new, you could just add the carriage hardware to make it look more traditional. I'd live there for a while before deciding. If the neighborhood is such that you would enjoy sitting out front, I'd consider adding a bigger porch w/seating (my neighbors on a cul de sac did this - it's greats for the grown ups to walk up and hang while their kids scooter/play together).

[sandandsea]

I think new siding/paint and adding shutters would go a long way.

[sandandsea]

Adding a front porch on the 2/3 without the brick would look nice and homey too. And it would offset the brick portion and add some dimension to bring the focus back to the front door.

[Kristinmo]

I would do new siding, get rid of (or paint) the brick, replace the landscaping and add a front porch. That will make a huge difference.

Replacing the windows would also make it look more up to date but I would only do that if they need to be for function.

[boiler717]

I would feel the same way with the lack of symmetry! I think if you painted it all white it wouldn’t be as noticeable, especially with shutters added. Good luck!

[nicolewi]

Something is wrong with the entry, but I'm not good enough at this to pinpoint exactly what. I think someone should make it more of a pretty entry with a covered roof portion and more of a porch. The door looks like it's floating. I also don't like that they painted the lights to match the green.

I would paint the green parts a lighter neutral that goes with the brick. Like a light creamy color.

Me personally....I'd have someone consult on designing a new entry area/porch and then go from there. I kind of feel like once you do that, the brick might be fine. I don't hate the brick. It's different, but sort-of interesting, and I like the color of it overall.

[Accountingcat]

I was bored so I tried just painting the house on Sherwin William's website...I think white is going to be too stark. I did off-white with alabaster on the brick and urbane bronze on the doors. I think the window frames could be painted bronze too. The house could be balanced with a porch or better landscaping.

[maudefindlay]

I was going to suggest what violet did. Also add a portico.

[statgirl]

I would get quotes and do one or more of the following:

1. Reside lighter/get rid of the brick
2. Keep the brick and build a two story porch the length of the deeper facade part (aka, the other 2/3)
3. Build a porch with a brick railing (not solid) at the entry and keep the brick.

Or, what I really would do:
Ignore until I had to do something due to structural issues/aging. Our stonework is being removed this year because our chimney needs work and we have to reside to match, so away the stone and old siding goes.

[freshsqueezed]

I do not care for traditional style so I wouldn't go with a carriage door, but that's me. A coat of paint/new siding color, updated front door, and modern garage door would change the look a lot. You could look into structural changes but that will cost more, obviously. I think just those 3 things alone would change it dramatically for the better. New lights. Perhaps, where the lower right window box is a large brick planter type ogf thing would bring that brick over to that side and make it more balanced. Just throwing that out as an idea that might address some of the design issues without involving more complicated work.

[lo]

If you know what kind of style you do like, try finding a Facebook group and post a picture and ask for suggestions. I’m in a group that does it all the time for people.

[munkii]

I'd look into stucco or EIFS where the vertical siding currently is. If that isn't of interest, then horizontal siding--the vertical siding along with the insertion of brick really enlongates (sp) the house in an awkward way. Also, replace the front door and garage doors with something mid-mod or contemporary.

ETA: For the love of all things holy, no shutters. Shutters are a terrible idea on this house. WRT exterior color, white, but leave the brick as is (unless you must paint).

[scm1011]

I actually kind of dig it. It’s different for sure, but almost in a near mid-century modern way.

[dr.girlfriend]

I kinda like it, but from what I know of you I know it's 100% not your taste. I would change out the garage and front door for sure, and do a very modern color of siding.  Is there an HOA that would kick if you did something cool to the exterior?  So weird, I had four pics but only one of them is displaying.  Google "midcentury house modern siding" and you'll see the same results.

[carmenere]

I would definitely paint it all one color. Adding a covered porch would look good, but if that’s too much work/cost you could just add a portico over the door.

[mrspez07]

I like it!
A new paint color would really help, painting or not painting the brick. Usually I’m anti-brick painting but in this case don’t think it’s bad. But I also like the contrast it provides.
Don’t try to make it more classic, but promote the clean lines of the modern style. Less detailing on any railings or lighting.

Other ideas, maybe not together:
New siding, horizontal, and/or wood
The front door kind of disappears, you could mimic the main roof with a porch roof over the front door.
Add canlights in the roof overhang to light up the non-brick/recessed part of the front.
Rework the landscape to make the front door more visible, add a patio along the length of the recessed part of the house, from the door to the corner.
Remove that big post thing near the front door
New front door, maybe in a bright color, yellow or orange, the ones with the 3-4 windows going vertically down the door.
New accent lighting, if not in the overhang/eave, some up lights at the first floor up to the eave might look good.

[orval]

I like Violet's paint scheme! I would start with landscaping. Take out the old bushes add in spiral like evergreens on each side of the window of the brick area. I would probably hire a pro for the landscaping. There is alot you can do to make it look cool.
I would not do a porch since the overhang on the second floor is so large. It would seem redundant.

[Susie]

All really cool ideas!  A couple more questions.

1) Would it bother you to live in a house where the inside and outside aren't really the same style?  The RE listing calls the house a colonial, but I agree that mid-century is much more descriptive of the exterior.  The interior is more standard colonial though.









The interior is more consistent with my style and the furniture we own, so I'd be hesitant to drift too far toward contemporary for the outside.  Which brings me to a 2nd question,

2) could the exterior evolve in a craftsman direction?  Starting with front door, lighting, eventually a front porch across the 2/3 without brick, to balance it.  Craftsman is a style I can very much get on board with.

Eventually I might prefer to de-emphasize the brick either by painting it or new siding or both, but realistically I won't do that right away ($$$).  

[Accountingcat]

Susie, I think the exterior is classic colonial style if you ignore the brick. The windows and door are on point for colonial. I bet the brick is a veneer and could be removed if you were going to do new siding down the road.

[aprilsails]

I lived in a little blue farmhouse with white gingerbread trim in the heart of suburbia for 10 years, and the inside of my house didn’t look the same at all.

So yes, having disjointed styles for exterior and interior doesn’t bother me too much. I have a very transitional style though, so I’m not dedicated to a particular look.

I think it could go craftsman, with a different siding pattern and some other details. If this house meets all your requirements so well I definitely wouldn’t let the exterior put you off. It’s not that bad in my opinion.

Oddly enough we had the opposite happen recently in our neighbourhood. A house went up that is gorgeous and has amazing curb appeal. Like, I love driving by this little house. It was occupied by the original owner so there were never any listing photos before. OMG it is the most poorly laid out garbage interior house ever. I’ve seen significantly larger and more useful kitchens in campers. The tile selections are brutal and everything about it looked unappealing.

[maudefindlay]

I do think you can convert that exterior to a more craftsman style. There are tons of images online, but you do have to weed thru the ones that are very extensive (think changing roofline etc, which it doesn't sound like that is in your plans). See the pictures below. A lot of it can be mixing different materials to add some more visual interest.

[boiler717]

I would be bothered by the disjointed styles, but I do think you can make the exterior look less mid-century. I hope it works for you guys!

[circa1978]

I really like what violet did and I would go for a new door with a more modern look and oversized outdoor lights. It really bugs me when lights are super tiny and don't match the scale/style of the house. Something also looks off with the front stoop?

It does not bother me when the elevation doesn't match the interior. I don't think that's midcentury, it's more 70s suburban/modern.

[numbers]

Painting the exterior siding + brick all one color and replacing the front door would make a world of difference.

[hbomdiggity]

My first thought was going all white to de-emphasize the brick and all a portico.

While I think you could also take it in the opposite direction with mid century modern, I wouldn’t do that based n seeing the traditional inside.

[nicolewi]

I don't think I'd paint the brick, even though I'd never design it that way. I kind of think you could embrace it as the unique fixture that makes that house different. Otherwise, it looks like you are hiding it, but it still kind of stands out with a different texture. I think you either embrace it or totally remove it and re-side. Then again, if I were really my house I'd research it to death and do a boat load of mock-ups before I made any final decision, and who knows, maybe I would end up painting it in the end!

I wouldn't care about inside not matching outside. I feel like you see that more and more as people are into re-doing and flipping houses.

PS I LOVED the Dutch colonial look. Too bad it was such a wreck inside.