Woodhouse The Timber Frame Company custom Post & Bean Mortise and Tenon Home. 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath with covered decks, main floor master, lock-off caretaker unit over 2-car garage. Expansive views of Keystone Ski Area, Dillon Reservoir, and the Ten-Mile Range.

Oyster Pond

Oza Sabbeth Architects

Photo by Attic Fire

Frank Lloyd Wright Inspired Prairie

Prime Realty

Westmont, IL Siding James Hardie Siding

Siding & Windows Group Ltd

Westmont, IL Siding James Hardie Siding Exterior Remodel. Siding & Windows Group removed old Aluminum Siding and installed James Hardie Vertical Siding, Trim, Fascia and Frieze Boards on Home and also installed James Hardie Trim on Garage and added 6 Lights throughout the Home.

Wimbledon Park Road

Pike & Partners

We had an interesting opportunity with this project to take the staircase out of the house altogether, thus freeing up space internally, and to construct a new stair tower on the side of the building. We chose to do the new staircase in steel and glass with fully glazed walls to both sides of the tower. The new tower is therefore a lightweight structure and allows natural light to pass right through the extension ... and at the same time affording dynamic vistas to the north and south as one walks up and down the staircase. By removing the staircase for the internal core of the house, we have been free to use that space for useful accommodation, and therefore to make better us of the space within the house. We have modernised the house comprehensively and introduce large areas of glazing to bring as much light into the property as possible.

Mona Vale House

CHROFI

The client for the project has a long standing interest in building sustainability developed through working at the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA). With this interest in mind, the client approached CHROFI to design a house that would demonstrate a number of active and passive sustainable initiatives whilst accommodating a contemporary coastal lifestyle. The project is sited on the south side of Mona Vale Headland and has expansive views over Mona Vale Beach to the south. This south facing aspect and the narrow site proportions combine to limit the passive design potential and accordingly establish the key design challenge for the project. Our response orients the house toward the view to the south, but opens up the roof at the centre of the house with a large north-facing skylight to admit winter sun to the south facing living areas and to trap and hold the warmth of the winter sun using the thermal mass of the structure. Other sustainability measures include a 15,000 L rainwater storage tank combined with grey water recycling to minimise water usage, the use of evacuated tubes for in floor heating and hot water supply, and photovoltaic solar panels to provide electricity back to the grid. The house is a ‘test-bed’ for these and many other sustainability initiatives and the performance of these will be measured after occupancy. The client intends to promote his findings to further the public knowledge of contemporary sustainable architecture via a website, publications and a consultancy service.

Haus S

Henecka Architekten BDA

Foto: Daniel Vieser . Architekturfotografie

Tinyhouse - Skookum 24 No. 116

Westcoast Outbuildings Inc.

Ravine Bunglaow

Christopher Simmonds Architect

Hickory Hill 667 SQF

Conestoga Log Cabins

Beachfront Close Duplex

design studio 22

Home Addition in Surrey – Home Exterior

DOS Design Group

Large home addition project by Draft On Site Services.

The Roswell II

Kraus Design + Build

Whole house renovation - 1960's split level

Pythoge Custom Homes and Renovations

The bright and cheerful color of the front door on this 1960's split level whole house renovation is the perfect final touch on this project.

ハマノイエ

関建築設計室合同会社 / Seki Architecutural Design Office,LLC

Hollywood Home Stucco renovation

Ruben Torres

Exterior

Emerald Court Siding/Window Job

Precision General Construction

Farrer Extension & Renovation

Build Professional

Blending the original 1970's home with a modern extension

Split-level 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.