Backyard

Forte Building Group, LLC

niguel west mid-century modern

Moss Yaw Design studio

aerial perspective at hillside site

Front View

DK Homes

Uniquely situated on a double lot high above the river, this home stands proudly amongst the wooded backdrop. The homeowner's decision for the two-toned siding with dark stained cedar beams fits well with the natural setting. Tour this 2,000 sq ft open plan home with unique spaces above the garage and in the daylight basement.

Cherry Lane Residence

Clark Richardson Architects

Entry Walk from Corner

467 Shake Rag Road

The Brigman Group, INC.

Photographer: Ryan Theede

The Willow

Simons Design Studio

Low Country Style with a very dark green painted brick and board and batten exterior with real stone accents. White trim and a caramel colored shingled roof make this home stand out in any neighborhood. Interior Designer: Simons Design Studio Builder: Magleby Construction Photography: Alan Blakely Photography

The Westminster at Willow Creek Farms

Landmark Homes

This grand 2-story home with first-floor owner’s suite includes a 3-car garage with spacious mudroom entry complete with built-in lockers. A stamped concrete walkway leads to the inviting front porch. Double doors open to the foyer with beautiful hardwood flooring that flows throughout the main living areas on the 1st floor. Sophisticated details throughout the home include lofty 10’ ceilings on the first floor and farmhouse door and window trim and baseboard. To the front of the home is the formal dining room featuring craftsman style wainscoting with chair rail and elegant tray ceiling. Decorative wooden beams adorn the ceiling in the kitchen, sitting area, and the breakfast area. The well-appointed kitchen features stainless steel appliances, attractive cabinetry with decorative crown molding, Hanstone countertops with tile backsplash, and an island with Cambria countertop. The breakfast area provides access to the spacious covered patio. A see-thru, stone surround fireplace connects the breakfast area and the airy living room. The owner’s suite, tucked to the back of the home, features a tray ceiling, stylish shiplap accent wall, and an expansive closet with custom shelving. The owner’s bathroom with cathedral ceiling includes a freestanding tub and custom tile shower. Additional rooms include a study with cathedral ceiling and rustic barn wood accent wall and a convenient bonus room for additional flexible living space. The 2nd floor boasts 3 additional bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and a loft that overlooks the living room.

Chestnut Hill Addition

Helios Design Group

Our clients wanted a very contemporary addition to their historical brick house. we added a glass box with floor to ceiling windows - the dining table sits in the corner overlooking the view. photo: Cody O'Laughlin

Solbakken Lakefront Home

MSI Custom Homes, LLC

Saari & Forrai

James Hardie siding in Bloomfield Hills

21st Century Building Company

Vertical board & batten siding combined with the oil rubbed bronze standing seam metal roofing add a lot of character to this Bloomfield Hills home.

The Owens Model at Old Davidson

James Wentling/Architect

The Owens Model has a distinctive wrap-around and deep porch. Design by James Wentling, Built by Cunnane Group

Earthy Modern

Noel Cross+Architects

Who says green and sustainable design has to look like it? Designed to emulate the owner’s favorite country club, this fine estate home blends in with the natural surroundings of it’s hillside perch, and is so intoxicatingly beautiful, one hardly notices its numerous energy saving and green features. Durable, natural and handsome materials such as stained cedar trim, natural stone veneer, and integral color plaster are combined with strong horizontal roof lines that emphasize the expansive nature of the site and capture the “bigness” of the view. Large expanses of glass punctuated with a natural rhythm of exposed beams and stone columns that frame the spectacular views of the Santa Clara Valley and the Los Gatos Hills. A shady outdoor loggia and cozy outdoor fire pit create the perfect environment for relaxed Saturday afternoon barbecues and glitzy evening dinner parties alike. A glass “wall of wine” creates an elegant backdrop for the dining room table, the warm stained wood interior details make the home both comfortable and dramatic. The project’s energy saving features include: - a 5 kW roof mounted grid-tied PV solar array pays for most of the electrical needs, and sends power to the grid in summer 6 year payback! - all native and drought-tolerant landscaping reduce irrigation needs - passive solar design that reduces heat gain in summer and allows for passive heating in winter - passive flow through ventilation provides natural night cooling, taking advantage of cooling summer breezes - natural day-lighting decreases need for interior lighting - fly ash concrete for all foundations - dual glazed low e high performance windows and doors Design Team: Noel Cross+Architects - Architect Christopher Yates Landscape Architecture Joanie Wick – Interior Design Vita Pehar - Lighting Design Conrado Co. – General Contractor Marion Brenner – Photography

Modern Farmhouse Exterior

Develop Architects LLC

Modern Farmhouse. White & black. White board and batten siding combined with painted white brick. Wood posts and porch soffit for natural colors.

Custom Brookhaven Home

Vincent Longo Custom Builders

Willet Photography

Grogans Mill Contemporary

Brickmoon Design

Reclaimed and Painted Brick Creole Style

Wyrick Residential Design

White Transitional Farmhouse

DK Homes

Shagbark Residence

Highland Builders LLC

The large angled garage, double entry door, bay window and arches are the welcoming visuals to this exposed ranch. Exterior thin veneer stone, the James Hardie Timberbark siding and the Weather Wood shingles accented by the medium bronze metal roof and white trim windows are an eye appealing color combination. Impressive double transom entry door with overhead timbers and side by side double pillars. (Ryan Hainey)

Fox Country Farmhouse

Buchanan Construction

This Beautiful Country Farmhouse rests upon 5 acres among the most incredible large Oak Trees and Rolling Meadows in all of Asheville, North Carolina. Heart-beats relax to resting rates and warm, cozy feelings surplus when your eyes lay on this astounding masterpiece. The long paver driveway invites with meticulously landscaped grass, flowers and shrubs. Romantic Window Boxes accentuate high quality finishes of handsomely stained woodwork and trim with beautifully painted Hardy Wood Siding. Your gaze enhances as you saunter over an elegant walkway and approach the stately front-entry double doors. Warm welcomes and good times are happening inside this home with an enormous Open Concept Floor Plan. High Ceilings with a Large, Classic Brick Fireplace and stained Timber Beams and Columns adjoin the Stunning Kitchen with Gorgeous Cabinets, Leathered Finished Island and Luxurious Light Fixtures. There is an exquisite Butlers Pantry just off the kitchen with multiple shelving for crystal and dishware and the large windows provide natural light and views to enjoy. Another fireplace and sitting area are adjacent to the kitchen. The large Master Bath boasts His & Hers Marble Vanity’s and connects to the spacious Master Closet with built-in seating and an island to accommodate attire. Upstairs are three guest bedrooms with views overlooking the country side. Quiet bliss awaits in this loving nest amiss the sweet hills of North Carolina.

Exterior Design Ideas with a Mixed Roof

The front exterior of your home – the driveway, front yard, verandah and entrance – is a fantastic place to start making that all-important first impression on house guests. Even mailboxes and house numbers can have a wonderful way of grabbing people’s attention. The architectural design should reflect the overall style of your house and the family that live there; while your choice of materials will help your house blend in with its surrounds. Browse the photos on Houzz for ideas and inspiration for the exterior of your house, and strike up a conversation with the architects and designers of your favourite picks. You’ll find house designs for contemporary, eclectic, modern, traditional styles and more.

How do I decide on the exterior style of my home?

Your location, overall sense of style, budget and current home layout will dictate the style of your exterior. If you’re renovating a period home, the materials and features you use should reflect the date in which it was built, while a unique colour scheme could add contemporary flair. New homes may prefer to look to modern or contemporary designs with structural simplicity, whereas, if you live by the ocean, a beach-style design may better suit your locale. That’s not to say you can’t build a new home that has period influences. If you’re a traditionalist, you can borrow architectural details from the Art Deco period, for instance, or use finishes that reflect more of a Scandinavian style, too.

What exterior house colours and materials should I use?

Traditional homes typically use brick and timber building materials, while stone, board-formed concrete and metal cladding are popular contemporary options. Again, the materials you use will depend on your location and the statement you want to make. Your budget will also affect your choice. Vinyl siding is affordable and easy to install, while stone is more expensive but durable and low maintenance. If you’re not ready to renovate but want to update the exterior of your home, you can still paint it. Look to your neighbours when choosing exterior house colours. Consider the streetscape and what type of colours are already in use, firstly, so you don’t replicate next door’s shade; and secondly, so you don’t stand out like a sore thumb. If you’re renovating a period home, you could paint features or intricate details in a bold, standout hue. Front doors, garage doors and window trims also look great in eye-catching colours, even if the rest of the house’s facade is neutral.

How can I maximise my home’s street appeal?

To spice up your home’s architectural design, landscape the surrounding area with plants and pathways that accent the style of your home. If you just need a quick revamp, look at your cement and pavers – these can split and crack over time; and repairing or replacing them can do wonders for your street appeal, especially if it’s a large area like your driveway. Plants, garden paths or low walls can can also add structure to your front yard. Light up your home with sufficient outdoor lighting to make walking up to the front door easy at night. You could use bollard lights along your entry path, or replace tiny wall sconces with statement pendant lighting at the entrance or on your verandah. Decorative elements such as house numbers, mailboxes and doormats will also add character. And if you're looking to sell your house, it may be worth hiring a stylist to help make the most of your property.