1960's Split Level Curb Appeal Help
We recently purchased a 1960's Split Level home. The interior is wonderful, but the exterior could use some work. We don't want to paint the brick or do any major renovations at this time. Our first step will be to power wash and clean up the outside. We need some help with design ideas for the front. I would love to paint the garage door and the front door but what color? What do we do with that weird block of white siding beneath the windows? Do we paint it (color?) or put flower boxes in the upper windows to add some color? I would like to update the mailbox and possibly add a stylized house number. Also, are there any plant recommendations for the front? The house is east facing. Thank you for the help!
Comments (14)
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Need more curb appeal
Comments (30)Going through the photos these are my thoughts. - Personally I do not mind the contrast between the colours of the house but it is a strong contrast and might not be to everyone's taste. Do you dislike either of the colours? Changing either colour involves cost and possibly increased ongoing maintenance but if you hate the colour scheme you might feel it's worth it. - The change in driveway material is visually distracting. It looks like a tight turn into the driveway? As has been said, reducing the amount of gravel would help. I'm not sure what else you can do in the short term. - The PVC downpipe needs painting so that it doesn't stand out. - What is the tree on the corner of the house? I think when it gets bigger it will improve the kerb appeal. When it comes to landscaping sometimes what is needed is patience - Do you need the path to be so wide. If you don't need it for say trailer access or something like that I suggest extending the garden bed on the left further across towards the front door. - What is the upper lawn for? I lived in a rental property where I had to mow the lawn at the top of a sleeper retaining wall and if possible I would always design such things with a garden bed along the edge to avoid needing to mow right up to the wall. Bonus benefit, you can plant something to spill over the wall and soften it. - The plants in front of the garage look too large and random and distract from what is quite an interesting modern roofline. I see something like a larger garden bed with more variation in colour and texture, or perhaps more uniformity and one feature plant? And the house number on the brick wall in the same colour as the upper part of the house. - How's the drainage? I finally worked out what else was bothering me. Not strictly aesthetic. But it looks like you front door is not very high above the surrounding ground level? - I think the bush garden style with the rocks and strappy plants suits the house....See MoreHelp to improve our orange brick facade / overall curb appeal
Comments (11)Thank you oklouise The house started out as a small single storey fibro house (left section). By the time we bought it, it had a 2 storey extension 6.2m w x 12.1m d added to the right side and the whole house was bricked over - leaving a strange stairwell on the side of the new extension (which we faux brick stamped 15+ years ago as it was bright white). There is a small step down to the front verandah but still good head height. The current garage doors are also quite high at 2.5m and would not need to be as high when replaced. So hoping the bulk head (if that is all we come up with) would be consistent / level across the front. That was just my first thought, but fresh eyes and fresh/other ideas are welcome!...See MoreHelp please. Need to dress up our exterior for more "street appeal"
Comments (7)Wow, what a great looking house! You don't need to distract from its pure form and honesty of materials by introducing "decorative" elements that will detract from the clean lines of the architecture. If anything you should be following the original intent and simplifying it. Possibly lining the underside of the verandahs to conceal the exposed and contrasting beams. Your decorative pot is just so wrong with the house - give it to somebody who has a Tuscan style villa. Architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886–1969) adopted the motto "Less is more" to describe his aesthetic. His tactic was one of arranging the necessary components of a building to create an impression of extreme simplicity—he enlisted every element and detail to serve multiple visual and functional purposes. With your house remember "Less is more". If you hate the aesthetic of your house I am sure that there will be a pretty, decorative Hamptons style house for sale in your suburb soon, just don't try to change the style of your home with unessary decoration. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls...See MoreHELP PLEASE! Improving street appeal
Comments (4)I would focus on landscaping and minor updates. I would repave between the carport and stairs with a brighter more white paver. I would paint the little edge bits of concrete stairs. you could leave the original tile or find a modern retro style. The garden bed needs completely stripping out and replanting. a lot can be divided and replanted though. I think those bulbs could be hippeastrums, and are they bird of paradise (strelizia) against the carport? They get a bit tired and bound up unless you lift and divide them. The beds ended up with some holes iykwim? I'd add foliage plants with colour and texture and succulents like agave and yucca for height and a more modern sculptural feel. I think you absolutely need to get some big bright ceramic pots. I like a deep blue galzed pot for balancing the orangey brick and making it pop. I would put them on the patio and near the stairs and FILL them with mother-in-laws tongue. I would repaint the metal railings, and the carport posts and beams a dark grey or black. I'd remove the metal louvre awning completely and opt for nice full length dramatic curtains and sheers inside the windows. You know the kind that sort of attach right up near the ceiling? I would also replace the lattice on the carport and build a little breezeblock halfwall....See More
E F
6 years agoThank you so much for the great responses. With my poor photoshop skills I attempted to take oklouise's recommendations into consideration by adding dark trim, doors, and a dark garage color. The garage is currently a tan color that is slightly darker than the brick.
All of you are right about the need for landscaping. Interestingly enough, the past owners removed a fence that surrounded the front of the property. I agree that some ornamental trees/bushes could really make the house look more alive. I will start looking into some things that would work well with the climate. Thank you all so much for the help so far!
Ruth BT
6 years ago
girlguides
6 years agoSara Graham
6 years agoUser
6 years ago
PRODavidson Design Studio
6 years agoYou have some great space their for an amazing landscape. It really depends on the style you are after. There are a few that will work with the house!
The picture posted above is a great example of a planted out native front garden, or you could go for more of a Palm Springs style with feature curved beds at the points of the lawn while keeping the turf through the middle. This would work well with succulents and great architectural planting.
The horizontal lines of your home even lend themselves towards a Japanes inspired garden. You can perfectly frame your house with some beautiful Japanese Maples and underplant with soft foliage plants such as Acacia cognata 'Limelight'.
It does depend on your climate and aspect, however so be mindful of where the hot sun might be!
Here are some ideas on finding your style to suit your home:
https://australianmodernistlandscapes.com/2016/05/27/establishing-your-style/All the best with your project!
girlguides
6 years agogirlguides
6 years ago
Sammy Elder
6 years ago
PROTimandra Design & Landscaping
6 years ago
oklouise