Exterior improvements - 70s brick veneer
We have an extraordinarily ugly house! Yes, the front looks like it should be the rear! The inside layout suits us and it was in our limited budget at purchase time. But it sooo badly needs a makeover and I have no idea where to start to make our home look more welcoming. The steps lead up to the from door which is tucked into the right angle corner. The laundry door (former front door prior to the 80s extension on the right) is in the center pic. Help!
Comments (10)
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Comments (15)this miserable 3D image shows an impression that uses your idea of the horizontal parapet with asymmetrical openings eg from left to right 4m then 5m and then a 5m wide garage door with the forward extension to the garage and a tall "chimney" shape wall to both disguise the stairwell and offsett the lobsided upstairs windowsthe awful colours are just for this demonstration as the various shades of grey shown in your original photos would be much better...See MoreEntrance to a 70's brick house Reno
Comments (35)Hi JV, I think unless you are planning to do a huge facelift to the home, I would just embrace the retro feel rather than trying to mask it and have it looking too random and shoddy. I actually think the cream brick at the sides is quite cool, it looks in really good shape, I would definitely leave that! And the trellis, I just think you can't fight it as it's all the balustrade too. Replacing that with glass will just look like a 70s home with bad out of place glass added. I like your timber idea, though I'd just go a regular cladding rather than decking which will look... well like decking on the wall! Get a cladding (Even a Scyon style product), paint it a light charcoal (or even a dark olive/khaki colour) and it would look stylish, retro and actuallypretty cool as I'd expect from an IT guy. Add some plants (mother in laws tongue, a crassula, another succulent) in a few pots of varying heights (say 3), add a stylish outdoor light, maybe a plaque wiht your business name, a cool doormat, remove the screen door and I think it would look great. Look up mid century modern references, there's a lot. Even though it's not mid century, you could stretch to that. I think it would look far better than trying to mask what you've got and have it come off as looking really amateur....See MoreNeed some ideas on modernising out 70’s brick house
Comments (16)Don't try and modernise this home, it has a lovely mid-century character that you should build on. I suggest to all of my clients that they should live in a home for at least 12 months before spending big renovation dollars. Understand how your house works with the change of seasons, and the existing electrical and plumbing services. Sometimes when you are on a tight budget in an old house then boring things like gutters and hot water systems are more important than supeficial aesthetics. Elements that are not original, such as your roller blinds at the front aren't contributing to the look of the house. The right landscaping could provide the shade you need and look much better. Love it for what it is, rather than try and make it into something that it is not. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls...See MoreRegional 70s inspired split level cladding and brick exterior
Comments (8)Pressure wash all concrete areas. Replace outdoor light for larger and brighter one (marine grade). The small one pictured isn’t doing much for illumination and it’s too small for size of wall. Leave brick as is. It looks fine. Whatever paint colour you choose for fascia and shed door should complement bricks. Trim and tidy all bushes and landscaping plants. The shrub obscuring the steps to entry need to be trimmed by one-third. Does the metal ballustrading & handrail need paint as well?...See More
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago- 8 years ago
- 8 years ago
Hi all, thanks for the suggestions and questions. In a way it's reassuring that others also think it's challenging :) I suspect the builders have reversed the original house because our neighbors are the same. The back looks like this (80s extension is to the left). It has no street frontage, faces to a pedestrian/bike path.
The double garage plus carport belong to us too.
There is a gate in the picket fence at the front so scope to build in a path.
It's currently rented for 12 months while we are working away so I don't have access to take better pics ATM. I will dig around in the comput r to see if I can find a floor plan.
- 8 years ago
Wow now we can see the front, I think you should use the double garage for parking with side access to the garden to unload shopping etc.
Remove the other roller door and carport, replace the carport with a pergola,.
As previously suggested make lovely garden path access from the new front gate which would be to the left side of the picket fence,
, Run another courtyard fence off the garage so that you can plant this area and include a clothes line, this now the rear entrance to the house.
At the end of the new pathway to the lane side of the house, extend the deck and add stairs so that you come from the pathway up onto the deck on the old carport side.
All that parking drive way parking space could be a lovely out door area.
Paint the garage doors and gutters on both buildings grey to match your roof.
Use a fence similar to this with a gate at the front and between the neighbours to the left. cheers,
- 8 years ago
- 8 years agoMaybe this pic might help......this house also has a hidden front door. The greenery and the dark roof give it a classy look, and the entry deck is simple and uncluttered.
Melt In ACT thanked lizzey49 - 8 years ago
Oh I like the dark - originally I was thinking lighter and maybe matching to the red/cream of the garage.
Siriuskey this is the plan from 1995 when the extension was approved. At the blank end near the carport are 3 bedrooms that weren't reno'd so obviously weren't important enough to include!
Melt In ACTOriginal Author