J. Weiland, Professional Photographer. Paul Jackson, Aerial Photography. Alice Dodson, Architect. This Contemporary Mountain Home sits atop 50 plus acres in the Beautiful Mountains of Hot Springs, NC. Eye catching beauty and designs tribute local Architect, Alice Dodson and Team. Sloping roof lines intrigue and maximize natural light. This home rises high above the normal energy efficient standards with Geothermal Heating & Cooling System, Radiant Floor Heating, Kolbe Windows and Foam Insulation. Creative Owners put there heart & souls into the unique features. Exterior textured stone, smooth gray stucco around the glass blocks, smooth artisan siding with mitered corners and attractive landscaping collectively compliment. Cedar Wood Ceilings, Tile Floors, Exquisite Lighting, Modern Linear Fireplace and Sleek Clean Lines throughout please the intellect and senses.

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.

Medina Waterfront Residence, Medina WA

Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects

View to entry. Photography by Lucas Henning.

Contemporary Custom Home

Lochwood-Lozier Custom Homes

Contemporary / Transitional House in Terramont

OSCAR E. FLORES DESIGN STUDIO, LLC

contemporary house style locate north of san antonio texas in the hill country area design by OSCAR E FLORES DESIGN STUDIO photo A. Vazquez

Viking House

RisherMartin Fine Homes

Stunning design by the talented Furman + Keil Architects transformed this 1930’s West Austin cottage into a cozy, ultra modern retreat. The new design preserved original stone walls and fireplace, seamlessly integrating historic components with modern materials and finishes. The finished product is a unique blend of both old and new, landing it on the 30th Annual AIA Austin Homes Tour. Photography by Leonid Furmansky

Briar Hill

Laratta Homes Ltd

Front Exterior

Ryan Residence Napa

Holder Parlette Architecture + Landscapes

Lake Camp

Birdseye Design

Front of House

Coastal Signature Homes

Front view of this lovely home in the heart of the Low Country of South Carolina. Thoroughly Southern, this home has a wide, open front porch, shell drive and walkway, beautifully landscaped and low maintenance lawn, a separate guest suite over the garage - absolutely beautiful.

BEN'S BARN

Marvin

The owner’s goal was to create a lifetime family home using salvaged materials from an antique farmhouse and barn that had stood on another portion of the site. The timber roof structure, as well as interior wood cladding, and interior doors were salvaged from that house, while sustainable new materials (Maine cedar, hemlock timber and steel) and salvaged cabinetry and fixtures from a mid-century-modern teardown were interwoven to create a modern house with a strong connection to the past. Integrity® Wood-Ultrex® windows and doors were a perfect fit for this project. Integrity provided the only combination of a durable, thermally efficient exterior frame combined with a true wood interior.

Tuscaloosa Residence

Arcanum Architecture

Bernard Andre Photography

cjb HOMES

Gros Ventre Residence

Dynia Architects

Extensive valley and mountain views inspired the siting of this simple L-shaped house that is anchored into the landscape. This shape forms an intimate courtyard with the sweeping views to the south. Looking back through the entry, glass walls frame the view of a significant mountain peak justifying the plan skew. The circulation is arranged along the courtyard in order that all the major spaces have access to the extensive valley views. A generous eight-foot overhang along the southern portion of the house allows for sun shading in the summer and passive solar gain during the harshest winter months. The open plan and generous window placement showcase views throughout the house. The living room is located in the southeast corner of the house and cantilevers into the landscape affording stunning panoramic views. Project Year: 2012

Beck Lake House

John M. Holmes Architect

Stephen Ironside

Paul Green Historic Home/Chapel Hill, NC/Vacant Home Staging

Successful Staging/Bobbie McGrath

Touches of color add interest to the all important curb appeal. Notice how the color draws your eyes toward the front door! Photo by Marilyn Peryer

Oyster Shores Contemporary Barn Home

Yankee Barn Homes

Yankee Barn Homes - Oyster Shores is a contemporary barn style house with iconic barn exteriors. Chris Foster Photography

Vineyard Home

Mikiten Architecture

Surrounded by permanently protected open space in the historic winemaking area of the South Livermore Valley, this house presents a weathered wood barn to the road, and has metal-clad sheds behind. The design process was driven by the metaphor of an old farmhouse that had been incrementally added to over the years. The spaces open to expansive views of vineyards and unspoiled hills. Erick Mikiten, AIA

North Georgia Log Cabin

Alan Clark Architects, LLC

Alan Phillip Clark Architects, LLC

Large Exterior Design Ideas with a Metal 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.