Need some ideas on modernising out 70’s brick house
Jessica Carter
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Hey everyone, I need your help! So we have just purchased a new home to renovate. I have no idea what colour palette I can use on the exterior that will compliment the orange/tan bricks, bronze coloured window frames.. and the dark browny black edging. I would like to paint the fence line, replace lattice work with timber screens, replace the flashings and exterior fittings.. but sadly I dont think replacing the windows and rendering the bricks will be in our budget.
so if you have any ideas im keen to hear them! Send help! Thank you
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Ideas for updating large 70's brick exterior - Colours?
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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 MoreLayout dilemma 70s brick house
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Comments (11)When I read the heading and the first few sentences , I thought OMG -- orange bricks and an orange terracota roof ! But yeah , I'd call that a blonde , with regrowth on top haha ! So its reasonably pleasant , but what to do ? Dark windows would look good , BUT even then , the overall design and even the window size all screams 80's , so you'd spend $20k or whatever to do the whole place with new windows , and it'll just be modernised 80's . And to expand on that , what Julie Herbert alluded to -- the gardens and fence look 80's too . The front fence also looks oranger than the house too -- are they exactly the same as the house , or newer and/or oranger ? One possible 'tie-in' would be some long and low panels of Coloursteel where the rails are ( basically , keep the bricks on the fence , just do in-fill panels in Coloursteel , only going the same height as the pillars ) . The roof looks a charcoal , so I'd stick with that in coloursteel for the roof , IF GOING IN THAT DIRECTION . Why I say that is because I actually think the roof would look okay if you added some mid grey terracotta tiles -- go for a speckled look . Those light grey ones would look too harsh a contrast IMO , but go go mid grey and the existing charcoal would look 'interesting' IMO , it may be cheaper than a full coloursteel roof ( you'd want to check the labour cost though ) , and if say 80% of the existing tiles can be re-used , its probably better both cost but also waste wise ? And that leaves the brown -- obviously , go charcoal there too , along with more modern plants and garden design . And while some people criticise me , because I often say do a 'sunny' ( bright red , yellow or orange ) front door , not only will it look better , it changes peoples focus , so the less attractive features aren't noticed as much -- whether passer-bys love or loath the bright front door -- they'll look at it and comment , rather than noting the brown base or orangey fence bricks ....See More
dreamer
5 years agoIs this to be your home to live in, or just to renovate and sell?
If you need to freshen up the gutters fascias and eaves. That should be done. I'm thinking black and white. This would compliment the window sills. I'm not sure whether you can paint those wonderful bronze window frames?But in my opinion. The lack of landscaping is your biggest problem. Is the home facing west? Does the home require the front awnings for sun protection. But, they are not terrible. A landscaped green garden would definitely be an improvement. Pots with flowers etc Do not paint or render the bricks, it can't be undone.
Jessica Carter thanked dreamerJessica Carter
5 years agoJessica Carter
5 years agoGreat advice, thanks everyone. I think you are right, we might work on planning out landscaping first, some greenery will help break up the brick work. Just noticed (only been here a week) our front courtyard door is new, it’s black powder coated. every other window and door is bronze! So there you go Haha!
bigreader
5 years agoJE C
5 years ago- PRO
MB Design & Drafting
5 years ago 
cloudpants
5 years agoI love the look of your house and agree that landscaping and painting trim & fences will be an amazing improvement, whilst retaining the integrity of the design.
Jessica Carter
5 years ago
KK1000
5 years ago
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