Hood House is a playful protector that respects the heritage character of Carlton North whilst celebrating purposeful change. It is a luxurious yet compact and hyper-functional home defined by an exploration of contrast: it is ornamental and restrained, subdued and lively, stately and casual, compartmental and open. For us, it is also a project with an unusual history. This dual-natured renovation evolved through the ownership of two separate clients. Originally intended to accommodate the needs of a young family of four, we shifted gears at the eleventh hour and adapted a thoroughly resolved design solution to the needs of only two. From a young, nuclear family to a blended adult one, our design solution was put to a test of flexibility. The result is a subtle renovation almost invisible from the street yet dramatic in its expressive qualities. An oblique view from the northwest reveals the playful zigzag of the new roof, the rippling metal hood. This is a form-making exercise that connects old to new as well as establishing spatial drama in what might otherwise have been utilitarian rooms upstairs. A simple palette of Australian hardwood timbers and white surfaces are complimented by tactile splashes of brass and rich moments of colour that reveal themselves from behind closed doors. Our internal joke is that Hood House is like Lazarus, risen from the ashes. We’re grateful that almost six years of hard work have culminated in this beautiful, protective and playful house, and so pleased that Glenda and Alistair get to call it home.

Calder Street House

Charles Maccora Design

Cherry Hills Village Residence

Blueline Architects p.c.

Residential Expansion - Caddo Gap, AR

Countryside Construction LLC

After completion of expansion and exterior improvements. The owners wanted to build the deck as a DIY project.

1920's Farmhouse

Brandon Schrock Custom Homes

Exterior

Studio Corbeau

Mid-century modern exterior with covered walkway and black front door.

Aloha 144

Guadalupe Cruz-Conde Lleo

Palm Springs Vibes in New Mexico

GO Designs Inc.

Coming home has never felt better...This complete exterior home renovation & curb appeal has vibes of Palm Springs written all over it!!! Views of the Organ Mountains surrounded by the Chihuahuan Desert creates an outdoor space like no other. Modifications were made to the courtyard walls, new entrance door, sunset balcony included removing an over designed standard staircase access with a new custom spiral staircase, a new T&G ceiling, minimized obstructing columns, replaced w/substantial cedar support beams. Stucco patch, repair & new paint, new down spouts & underground drainage were all key to making a better home. Now our client can come home with feel good vibes!!! Our next focus was the access driveway, taking boring to sophisticated. With nearly 9' of elevation change from the street to the home we wanted to create a fun and easy way to come home. 8" bed drystack limestone walls & planters were key to making the transition of elevation smooth, also being completely permeable, but with the strength to retain, these walls will be here for a lifetime. Accented with oversized Mossrock boulders and mossrock slabs used for steps, naturalized the environment, serving as break points and easy access. Native plants surrounded by natural vegetation compliments the flow with an outstanding lighting show when the sun goes down. Welcome to your home!!!

Bighorn Palm Desert luxury home with modern architectural design

Whipple Russell Architects

Bighorn Palm Desert luxury home with modern architectural design. Photo by William MacCollum.

Wolf-Huang House on Lake Orange

Arielle C. Schechter, AIA

The house glows like a lantern at night.

East Pensacola Heights Cottage

Russell Home Builders

Dramatic Vue

April Balliette

Albion Duplex

Habitat Studio Architects

The stark volumes of the Albion Avenue Duplex were a reinvention of the traditional gable home. The design grew from a homage to the existing brick dwelling that stood on the site combined with the idea to reinterpret the lightweight costal vernacular. Two different homes now sit on the site, providing privacy and individuality from the existing streetscape. Light and breeze were concepts that powered a need for voids which provide open connections throughout the homes and help to passively cool them. Built by NorthMac Constructions.

Beverly Hills Modern

Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP

Backyard view of a 3 story modern home exterior. From the pool to the outdoor Living space, into the Living Room, Dining Room and Kitchen. The upper Patios have both wood ceiling and skylights and a glass panel railing.

R Residence

archer design

niguel west mid-century modern

Moss Yaw Design studio

aerial perspective at hillside site

Paradise Key South Beach

Glenn Layton Homes

Cedar Hill - Home Addition

Studio MSL

Nearing completion of the additional 1,000 sqft that we Studio MSL DESIGNED & BUILT for this family.

Entrance & Balconies

ODS Architecture

The front door is rotated off-axis from the entry catwalk. Two-story tall board-formed concrete walls are emphasized with windows extending across both floors. Exterior lights and fire sprinklers are built into the eaves.

Exterior Design Ideas with a White Roof and a Blue 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.