How to modernise the exterior of our 1970s home?

6 years ago

We've been trying to figure out the best way to bring our newly-purchased home into the 21st century. It was built in the 1970s with concrete block (painted cream) and brick veneer.

We were thinking about rendering or painting the bricks but I'm just not sure and would love some advice.

I also hate (with a passion) the painted concrete blocks. They remind me of a public toilet. Not sure how to sort those either!

Some things we are going to do are:

- paint the roof, probably a dark colour
- build a back deck, covering those stairs
- rip off the conservatory at the top left of the bottom photo (someone added it retrospectively and it leaks and just looks horrid) so the balcony runs along the whole front of the house, and replace the railing with something smart

If anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them!

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Comments (3)

nasmijati
6 years ago
I like your idea of building a deck all along the back of the house at a height to conceal the painted brick.

For the other side of the house, consider stone veneer or brick veneer to cover the "public toilet" bricks.

I think the conservatory/sunroom windows should be set back a ways. There are some good companies that can make glass walls that are up to code and will blend in better. Look at Houzz Photos for some ideas. Put your search terms in quotation marks.

I don't have any advice on the roof. I don't have any experience changing the color of a metal roof.
PRO
Fusion Landscape Design Limited
6 years ago
Planting along the back wall would cover the block work that you do not like.

A deck on one side of the steps which could incorporate the steps. To function as a useable space would be about 4000 x 4000mm. However as hard landscaping is not a cheap exercise I would only do this if you are going to get use out of it.

Lynn
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What a fantastic architecture. When you do the brick, if you stain it with masonry /concrete stain you won't have the same issues of maintenance as with paint. They will spray it evenly - through you will have to select a deeper color - either taupe (brown-gray) or a straight charcoal. Love your windows and the classic angled railing. I think a dark gray on the siding will make the orange brick jump even more. What bothers me is the white (railing, fascia, eaves) juxtaposed with the earth toned stuff. So I would recommend camel tones - for the siding - something like http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6108-latte/ and the hopsack next darker tone for the garage door. Use the lighter tan for trim that is now white - http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6107-nomadic-desert/ Use the darkest tone if you are painting concrete steps. If you think you will stain your brick charcoal, then the white eaves and trim are probably right, and you may not want to paint it tan now and then go back. If your brick were charcoal, then I would block out the rest in grays and blue grays - leave the white eaves, but take the railing and posts charcoal too. A blue gray door - like sw smoky blue.
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Hi definitely remove the x bars on the deck balustrade. Landscape close to the house so it grounds the house. Trees will make it look less bare. Chose some that work for your area, that are evergreen, and are not going to grow really big. With a really plain house - dark colors will make it look better. Dark Grey, or black with a warm tone so it doesn't have a blue undertone in it. Make sure it is a warm grey or black. Use green foliage around it. Paint out the pergola in the dark grey too or white if you want a different look. Fill in the balustrade where the x is removed with plants in front of those areas. Grow a vine up the pergola that is nice.
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I haqve just seen this , and it is well over a year old , so presumably you are well into renovations , or maybe finished . Here's my take though -- probably too late though ! Your picture looks like those 70's photo's that faded and yellowed ( sorry to be rude ) . So freshen and modernise . Paint the walls white -- not beige or yellow . It will look so much 'cleaner' . redo the dark uprights and base boards -- I can't tell if they are dark green , or black , but I'd do black stain over it . The fence I would also do in black . The yard , step one , would be hide and soften it . The Cape Cod chair paint in white , with the pailings in bright primary colours -- each one different . Add 2 or 3 planters -- different shapes and sizes and heights , but all stained a nice Kwila brown or charcoal or similar . Big leafy plants , cactuses , yukkas , maybe white and light brown pebbles , marigolds , colour , texture , different height plants . Personally , I would go further -- paint the roof , rip up most of the pavers , possibly even change the windows to bronze or charcoal frames . Just some quick ideas from an experienced amateur haha .
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User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I assume you have sailed into your renovations Susan ? The pictures actually look like 2 different houses -- different colours , different styles .

I quite like the 'red' ( 2 storey ) side of the house -- even the conservatory and that pattern on the deck railing -- personally I'd paint it in a charcoal , but it's liveable . NOT a fan of the yellow opaque glass , and I'd paint around the outside of your 2 garage doors approx 80-100mm wide white borders to match the rest of the joinery .

The other side though -- the roof ( as you said ) would be my first thing -- I'd go a browny/red , very similar to the panels on the other side of the house . The gutters and window sills I'd go a superbright blood red , and even though I agree about the cream veneer bricks and steps -- I'd leave the veneer , and either paint , or preferably tile , the steps in charcoal , and add a couple of 'chunky' stainless rails on the sides . And the base board -- I'd do it in charcoal too . It would not only look better , but make the house look longer and sleeker .

How to modernise the exterior of our 1970s home?

Comments (3)

nasmijati

Fusion Landscape Design Limited

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