Exterior update - two story bright white house

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I need to update the exterior of my house but I am totally stuck as to what to do. It's very tall and very white! There is a long driveway with many pebbles to the right of the picture.

My thought is to concrete the driveway with a dark grey look, paint the gutters dark grey and either paint some of the cladding on the second story or the window frames. Other ideas have been to update the handrail to timber and possibly incorporate some timber on the front wall, just to break it up a bit.

The reason for updating is to sell. The inside of the house has been renovated and the back doesn't look too bad as we've put a deck onto it. The budget would be around $8-$10k (AUD) - cheaper if possible. Most of the work (painting and timber handrail) could be done by family members - paid but at a cheaper rate :-) The driveway would need to be outsourced...

Is there anywhere on the internet where I can upload this picture and play around with colours?

Looking forward to hearing some ideas! Thanks :-)

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PRO

MB Design & Drafting

7 years ago

If you decide to repaint use a dark colour such as 'British Paints Winter Grey' or 'Dulux Raku or Malay Grey' and use Monument for the facias/gutters. Paint the architraves/windows/doors Shale Grey or maybe something like Surfmist. The darker colours will make the size disappear the whites and lighter colours make it stand out and look tall and big.

Avoid concrete driveway due to the costs but a gravel is a much nicer choice really.

Remove the metal trim as well.

I wouldn't do anything initially but chat to real estates first and see what they say, they are after all the supposed experts......

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Comments (10)

nadja103
Original Author
7 years ago
0
Vy
7 years ago
Personally I would leave it..use your 10K inside ..new carpet ..paint job inside..

leave the outside for the next owners ..it looks neat enough.
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There looks to be a fence or wall to the left of the garage , in a nice stained timber -- see how clean and modern that looks , and compliments the bricks . The problem -- I doubt you can strip and stain the existing balconies timber -- but there does appear to be some doubt as to the timbers condition anyway . So here's my plan of attack -- if the timber is needing some or all replacing , replace it with stained timber uprights ( the white rails may be okay , and/or they may actually be metal supports ) . So go that nice stained timber . But if the timber is okay and you want a change on a budget , just repaint everything currently green , in a charcoal . And no matter what option -- new fabric on the sunshades , or just bin them altogether -- the roof looks like it has an okay overhang , but I assume they were installed ( years ago haha ? ) as they were needed , but they may have been more visual ? Anyway , that's a no-brainer -- do something , almost anything , with them ! And no matter what option , consider changing the garage doors with stained timber ones , the same shade as the fence/wall . A touch of class , and would really tie in if you did the veranda uprights in the same stain , but it would still work with charcoal 'upstairs' , or stainless wires , or smoked glass panels . Just a thought !
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Ashjean I have had a play with your house and suggest the following very basic layout at this time to see if you like it I would have the garage on the Battleaxe drive way along with laundry, bathroom and study, this could be built on the boundary with the eaves on this side reduced if needed, Windows would be high light up under any eaves. I suggest that the bedrooms are on the western boundary which will be quieter and cooler with plantings, the hard surfaces of the driveways will store any day time heat that will be released over night Keeping the floorplan simple with removing the extra passage to separate the bedrooms and bathroom and using a simple roof without too many extra ridges will save you money. Can you please confirm the front width of your block and the length
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nadja103
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you :-) The house has been updated inside, new carpet, paint, kitchen, bathrooms etc. We actually didn't think we would ever sell it.... opps. We'd like to do the front as the suburb is slowly renewing and our house is big compared to others and has a big yard which is rare in our suburb. We feel like the front would put people off buying as new houses are going in and the old ones are single level ex government.
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Vy
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
nadja103..If that's the case you've already got a winner with the big back yard.

problem with big back yards is you'll attract developers who would want to tear it down ..hence no point painting ?

or you'd attract families who doesn't care less as they would want a big garden

either way it's a win win
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bigreader
7 years ago
I'd take down the metal trim on the verandah and spend the money on a bit of landscaping. Even consider big pots you could take with you.
nadja103 thanked bigreader
nadja103
Original Author
7 years ago
Maybe some timber screen panels behind the bushes? That might break the flatness of the house exterior up a bit?
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nadja103
Original Author
7 years ago
Awesome, thank you!
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PRO
2 FIND and DESIGN
7 years ago
Some photo examples of using the darker trim... if the white is in good condition you could consider just the gutters and windows in the grey... monument was mentioned above and will work nicely.
I love the stone work at the bottom of the house.
If you can remove the lace work would definitely modify the front entrance.
Ensure front door and screen are in perfect order... the contrast door colour would look good. Don't forget a fresh new natural door mat.
Agree with the drive way. A crushed granite will look just as nice.
Definitely adding some extra plants through the front yard with fresh natural mulch (no red) will make a big difference too.

Good luck with the preparations
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nadja103 thanked 2 FIND and DESIGN
PRO
MUSE modern interiors
7 years ago
Agree with above posters, remove the lacework from the portico and even the railing (although cant see it too well) I would also remove the large bush in front of the door and in the centre of the front wall and replace with a one or two tall and large statement plants in pots (dark/black/charcoal coloured) and plant out the garden bed with the same plant the full length, maybe a lavender or something to add a pop of colour. Also add good mulch to both garden beds and a bit of a general garden tidy up will help. Adding a top coat to the lawn will pay dividends at this time of the year! If there is any loose or uneven pavers, fix those up. Potential buyers are always looking for clues to gleam whether the house has been well looked after, and these small details can sometimes be a deterant. I think your house looks grand, not boring. If there is a porch light, maybe update that to something black and modern to reference the dark in the pots and a colourful new doormat. I cant see your front door, but if there is no security screen, paint the door a striking new colour which references your internal decor. As others have said, try to spend as little as possible as, there is no guarantee that the extra spending will be reflected in the sale price. All the best with the sale.
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nadja103 thanked MUSE modern interiors

Exterior update - two story bright white house

MB Design & Drafting

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nadja103
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Vy

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Vy

bigreader

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Exterior update - two story bright white house

MB Design & Drafting

Comments (10)

nadja103Original Author

Vy

Related Discussions

nadja103Original Author

Vy

bigreader

nadja103Original Author

nadja103Original Author

2 FIND and DESIGN

MUSE modern interiors

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US

nadja103
Original Author

nadja103
Original Author

nadja103
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nadja103
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