JAUREGUI Architecture Interiors Construction

Piston Design

French Country Architecture at its Finest

Jonathan Dean

Mountain Ranch

Copper Creek Homes, LLC

James Ray Spahn

Soaring Wings

Winn Wittman Architecture A.I.A.

Curved copper wing over garage.

Mountain Modern

Suman Architects

Lochley - Narrow Lakefront Lot

Visbeen Architects

Forget just one room with a view—Lochley has almost an entire house dedicated to capturing nature’s best views and vistas. Make the most of a waterside or lakefront lot in this economical yet elegant floor plan, which was tailored to fit a narrow lot and has more than 1,600 square feet of main floor living space as well as almost as much on its upper and lower levels. A dovecote over the garage, multiple peaks and interesting roof lines greet guests at the street side, where a pergola over the front door provides a warm welcome and fitting intro to the interesting design. Other exterior features include trusses and transoms over multiple windows, siding, shutters and stone accents throughout the home’s three stories. The water side includes a lower-level walkout, a lower patio, an upper enclosed porch and walls of windows, all designed to take full advantage of the sun-filled site. The floor plan is all about relaxation – the kitchen includes an oversized island designed for gathering family and friends, a u-shaped butler’s pantry with a convenient second sink, while the nearby great room has built-ins and a central natural fireplace. Distinctive details include decorative wood beams in the living and kitchen areas, a dining area with sloped ceiling and decorative trusses and built-in window seat, and another window seat with built-in storage in the den, perfect for relaxing or using as a home office. A first-floor laundry and space for future elevator make it as convenient as attractive. Upstairs, an additional 1,200 square feet of living space include a master bedroom suite with a sloped 13-foot ceiling with decorative trusses and a corner natural fireplace, a master bath with two sinks and a large walk-in closet with built-in bench near the window. Also included is are two additional bedrooms and access to a third-floor loft, which could functions as a third bedroom if needed. Two more bedrooms with walk-in closets and a bath are found in the 1,300-square foot lower level, which also includes a secondary kitchen with bar, a fitness room overlooking the lake, a recreation/family room with built-in TV and a wine bar perfect for toasting the beautiful view beyond.

Greenwich Shingle Style

Mockler Taylor Architects

4,000 square foot shingle style home in Greenwich, CT. Photo Credit: Robert Benson

Darling Point

Inlinebuilding & Construction Management

Rumpus room, entertaining area, infinity pool, travertine made grates and pool tile slabs, all imported from Europe made to measure.

Spanish Oaks

C-Reese Architectural Design

Brooklyn Townhouse

Robert Granoff

Interiors by Morris & Woodhouse Interiors LLC, Architecture by ARCHONSTRUCT LLC © Robert Granoff

Roehampton Development

Inspired Dwellings

Home Control integrates security features such as window control, door entry systems and CCTV monitoring. Remote Access, means you can monitor and protect your home even when on holiday or at the office. The solutions are endless - give us a call here at the Inspired Dwellings office for a free consultation 020 7736 6007 Michael Maynard, GM Developments, MILC Property Stylists

Williams Residence

Geoff Chick & Associates

Jack Gardner

Bulimba, Australia Home - Aluminum Shutters

Weatherwell Elite - Aluminum Shutters

Two homes were built side by side facing the city vista. Weatherwell Elite aluminum shutters were cleverly used to create stylish privacy between each home's front decks. The moveable blades allowed privacy to be maintained without losing the views of the forward city vista.

Apollo's Ridge - 2021 Parade Home

Carrick Custom Home Design

White Boxes

Tim Ditchfield Architects

Manson Images

Draper Front with Wrap-Around Porch and Tower

Aurora Architects + Builders

Front view of a restored Queen Anne Victorian with wrap-around porch, hexagonal tower and attached solarium and carriage house. Fully landscaped front yard is supported by a retaining wall.

Brick Story

Jan Gleysteen Architects, Inc

Fremont High-Performing Home

Board & Vellum

Photo by Andrew Giammarco.

Three-storey 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.