Updating a 70's brick facade

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Good morning,

We have invested in a wonderfully solid and well built 70's home that we intend to convert into a psychology/well-being clinic. We'd like to update the facade without rendering as we actually love the colour of the brick. I'm wondering what steps we could take to give the place a 'fresh' face that is welcoming to clients rather than such imposing brick. So far I'm considering the following:

1. white timber slatted pergola along the entrance pathway

2. white timber slatted pergola across the second storey patio (across the entire face of the building.

3. replacing the somewhat rusty handrailing with a more contemporary white handrailing.

4. replacing the garage door with a rustic white barn door style with windows.

5.. large feature tree/shrub to the left of the garage (when facing same)

6. respraying the brick patio tiles another colour (not sure on an appropriate colour).

7. replacing the front door with a feature door (again, not sure on an appropriate colour).

Will this be too much white? Any thoughts and suggestions on colours or features that would provide a 'face lift' for this gorgeous old girl most welcome.

Cheers,

Dee

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

Kate
2 years ago
I’d prob go a dark grey on the garage door so the white pergola stays the feature.
bigreader
2 years ago
I like all your suggestions. I’d add plant a bright pink climber on the pergola and lots of pink flowering plants in pots and in the garden. A lush garden fits with the wellness theme. The Gardening with Angus site has a plant selector and you can filter by flower colour.
Related Discussions
Need help on the exterior for more traditional look...
Q
Comments (9)
Heres what i was thinking of doing - change the roof and gutter to a dark grey or charcoal ... render the facade and paint a cream colour..changes the windows to a french style ( small squares) .. change the railing to a black traditional one..and put a darker cream trim around the windows and garage door.. Any other suggestions or comments ??
...See More
Not sure where to start!
Q
Comments (49)
Thanks for the replies! My wife suggested we talk to a local real estate agent, so i think that is a good idea... just that Im not sure how helpful they are likely to be if we arent selling yet :) As for saving for our dream house, I dont disagree, however if doing this up nicely over the next ~5 years or so while we live here nets us some extra in the eventual sale, then that of course will help us as well. Interesting thing happened today actually. I got a knock on the door and one of the older neighbours asked if he could take some lemons from the tree. I of course said yes. Anyway he was telling me he had lived in the street for 40 years. I asked him if the house had always looked like this, and he said no that ~30 years ago the old old owner did a massive renovation and pulled off the timber and put up the bricks and gutted the inside of the house. Interesting stuff!
...See More
Smartening up an ugly house!
Q
Comments (10)
Personally I cannot see what the problem is - I don't mind the presentation. It is not in your face wonderful. but it is never going to be. Its neat and tidy which is really important when it comes to home presentation. I don't like your idea re the bitsy garden at all. It will completely ruin the existing facade. Why not consider a line of pots - big pots running parallel to the wooden fence. The pots need to be all the same - maybe 5 in number. Tall and narrow in shape. Use quality potting mix and consider a native grass in all of the pots like Lomandra Nyalla. This plant will last for years in a big pot and they are tough. But take care of them because if you do this and dont take care of them,. then crappy pot plants are worse than not doing anything at all. Why not remove the lawn that you don't like and use a fine aggregate like Lillydale Toppings with a good base underneath. The effect that I have suggested is neat and tidy but also will give the area a professional, more modern look. If in doubt, leave as is! Alison
...See More
Painting 70s clinker brick- show me your before and afters!
Q
Comments (0)
Hi there, has anyone painted clinker brick before? We are looking to update the bricks by painting them white and recladding the second story in cedar. Advice welcome
...See More
Lorraine
2 years ago
I’d be careful teaming dark grey with the beige bricks, sometimes the tones do not look right up against each other. I like the idea of white making it pop, it looks like you have a Jacarandah on one side, did you know there is a white Jacarandah too, perhaps it could go on the other side. Consider covering the pergola with Suntuf opal roofing so people don’t get wet walking up the stairs and to the door. Some of the mandevilla climbers come in pretty colours and are not too invasive and don’t require too much pruning like my lovely wisteria. Good luck
Kath
2 years ago
I agree about changing the style of the garage door but leaving it white. Agree about the tree/large shrub on the left. I wonder if the tree on the right is a poinciana rather than a jacaranda? Poincianas and jacarandas are beautiful but big, so you would need to go for a different tree on the left where there is less space.

What I think would make a big difference is changing the planter 'boxes' on either side of the garage door and the low retaining wall. At the moment they look like stained cement or old besser block. If you can't afford to replace them, then just painting them will make a big difference. And refresh the plants. In particular, take out the succulent and plant something taller and lusher.

Updating a 70's brick facade

Comments (4)

Kate

bigreader

Related Discussions

Lorraine

Kath

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US