Richardson

Core Group

Mid-Century Modern Mother-In-Law Suite Addition

Kustom Home Design

Addition is an In-Law suite that can double as a pool house or guest suite. Massing, details and materials match the existing home to make the addition look like it was always here. New cedar siding and accents help to update the facade of the existing home. The addition was designed to seamlessly marry with the existing house and provide a covered entertaining area off the pool deck and covered spa. Photos By: Kimberly Kerl, Kustom Home Design. All rights reserved

View side, contemporary

Janof Architecture

This is the modern, industrial side of the home. The floor-to-ceiling steel windows and spiral staircase bring a contemporary aesthetic to the house. The 19' Kolbe windows capture sweeping views of Mt. Rainier, the Space Needle and Puget Sound.

New Hampshire Snow and Lake Lodge

MossCreek

This beautiful lake and snow lodge site on the waters edge of Lake Sunapee, and only one mile from Mt Sunapee Ski and Snowboard Resort. The home features conventional and timber frame construction. MossCreek's exquisite use of exterior materials include poplar bark, antique log siding with dovetail corners, hand cut timber frame, barn board siding and local river stone piers and foundation. Inside, the home features reclaimed barn wood walls, floors and ceilings.

Monitor Horse Barn with Center Aisle

Fisher Barns

Mountain Modern

Münter Design & Build

Ocean Inspired Remodel at Tropical Land's End

Coastal Source

Odd Duck Art Photography

Glass Photography

Lake Whatcom Residence

Haven Design Workshop

Wrap around wood deck above the ground floor garage of this custom home gives an elevated view of the lake and foothills just beyond.

Roncesvalles Reno

M-Squared Contracting Inc.

Only the chicest of modern touches for this detached home in Tornto’s Roncesvalles neighbourhood. Textures like exposed beams and geometric wild tiles give this home cool-kid elevation. The front of the house is reimagined with a fresh, new facade with a reimagined front porch and entrance. Inside, the tiled entry foyer cuts a stylish swath down the hall and up into the back of the powder room. The ground floor opens onto a cozy built-in banquette with a wood ceiling that wraps down one wall, adding warmth and richness to a clean interior. A clean white kitchen with a subtle geometric backsplash is located in the heart of the home, with large windows in the side wall that inject light deep into the middle of the house. Another standout is the custom lasercut screen features a pattern inspired by the kitchen backsplash tile. Through the upstairs corridor, a selection of the original ceiling joists are retained and exposed. A custom made barn door that repurposes scraps of reclaimed wood makes a bold statement on the 2nd floor, enclosing a small den space off the multi-use corridor, and in the basement, a custom built in shelving unit uses rough, reclaimed wood. The rear yard provides a more secluded outdoor space for family gatherings, and the new porch provides a generous urban room for sitting outdoors. A cedar slatted wall provides privacy and a backrest.

Fall City Addition

Rainier Custom Homes

Outdoor living space and entertaining area which includes an outdoor fireplace, open wood beams with vaulted ceilings, and a pizza oven

T House

Deedra Richmond, LEED AP, NCIDQ

Cumuru wood siding rainscreen, white fiber cement panels, aluminum corner trims, wood roof deck over laminated beams, steel roof

Lands End Development - Designers & Builders

Pioneer Log Homes of B.C. Breckenridge

Mountain Log Homes of CO, Inc.

See Interior photos and furnishings at Mountain Log Homes & Interiors

2015 Street of Dreams | Serenity

Westlake Development Group, LLC

Gregory Spec

Large Exterior Design Ideas

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.