skip to main content

Improving street appeal

5 years ago

Hi just wanted some feedback about improving street appeal apart from a new fence.

I’m considering removing the trees as I think most of them look very messy now but worried it will look too bare.

Would love some ideas if you have any, we’ve done a fair bit already..

Featured Answer

julie herbert

5 years ago

Have seen your previous posts Kate, house looking great, are you able to save one or two trees so that it won’t look so bare until you plant up your garden, magnolias look beautiful , ornamental pears, waterhousia are fabulous, check Fleming’s website for ideas, Peter Fudge for inspiration .

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

User
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks Julie, yes was considering the pear trees, feel I need a more formal look to go with the front of the house.

I was going to keep a weeping wattle in the far corner but I think the fence work may be hindered with the rest and wanted a fresh look too.
0
Related Discussions
Improve street appeal
Q
Comments (27)
definitely remove the "blob". update the a/c. widen steps. paint gutter and eaves. kill the awning. texture coat the brick walls. I would suggest removing the lawn (weed killer or cover it with weedmat and let it die is cheaper than having it dug up and removed), remove the slope by placing a low retaining wall and cutting and filling it, weed mat, underground sprinklers, strategically placed plants - I would suggest agaves, dragon tree, dracenas, a large feature cactus? etc..., 100 mm thick layer of a nonorganic mulch of your liking. reuse the existing rocks amongst the mulch (half bury them). costs are high to set up, then it is very low maintenance, not much watering required. you may wish to consider a water feature or even 3 d wall panels instead of texture coating (pretty similar costs).
...See More
HELP - Need help improving street appeal!!!
Q
Comments (12)
IMO the picket fence is at odds with the plain and fairly timeless house. Nothing wrong with corner windows per se, however if your climate would benefit from it you could enquire about replacing them with a more modern and energy efficient style. I don't see the need to spend on painting the bricks or roof tiles with possible maintenance issues down the track, unless you genuinely dislike the existing colours and have a clear vision for what you want instead. Sure they're sold as modernising tricks but the results vary and if not well done the house can look like nothing more than 'an old house, modernised'.
...See More
What can I do to improve the street appeal?
Q
Comments (7)
With all due respect I am going to disagree with amonymousanne, and say painting everything white is completely wrong for this style of home. It is in the "Sydney School" style where the rustic nature of the brickwork and oregon beams make up part of the character of the home. This style of your home is about organic texture and drama, so I would only paint what was previously painted, possibly in a Dulux colour called "Luck" which complements your brickwork beautifully, and is a deep brown/black colour similar to this photo. Your home may even be one of the much loved Pettit and Sevitt homes which are currently undergoing a revival in popularity if they have not been modernised beyond recognition. However the paint is only secondary to the main issue which is your landscaping which is at odds with the architecture. The style of home is more suited to an informal, native Australian garden, rather than trimmed, box-shaped shrubs that look quite alien. Your landscaping should also draw the eye to your entry, the current landscaping is concealing it. Improving the landscaping is the key to improving the street appeal, and new paint, without new landscaping won't be enough to do it. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls
...See More
How to improve street appeal
Q
Comments (8)
Wow!! You have a great looking house, I would definitely get a landscape architect as Kate suggested, the original planting of conifers etc. is detracting from the look, a modern update using ornamental pears, structural plants would look fabulous, look at Peter Fudge, Jack Merlo, Dean Herald for inspiration, I love the look of your house, could look stunning with the right landscape.
...See More
julie herbert
5 years ago
We have a row of ‘chanticleer’ ornamental pears along the front of our house and they look fabulous, I think they will look stunning with your house, I agree with you, starting afresh will give you the look you are after.
User
Original Author
5 years ago
Julie can you recommend a native small tree that would look good planted behind the fence? Hubby doesn’t want pear trees and wants a native...
0
julie herbert
5 years ago
Hi Kate, Lilly pilly would look great, Waterhousea floribunda is a weeping Lilly pilly and it’s gorgeous , I wouldn’t plant any gum trees as the get really tall and messy, check gardening with Angus website as he gives great advice on all Australian natives, but I think the Lilly pilly will compliment your house perfectly .
Kate
5 years ago
House near me like yours and has just been done up. White walls with a touch of black like lexicon maybe. Light grey window frames and a darker grey gutter. Against the side fence they have added a couple of rusted screens and some espaliered trees/vines between on wired frames with rusted posts. Front fence to match walls and gutters.
Prune your trees rather than remove on first instance then step back and review.
User
Original Author
5 years ago
Lillie’s look great, plenty to choose from too but smaller the better.. thank you
julie herbert
5 years ago
Try Acmena smithii ‘ minor compacta ‘ Lilly pilly a smaller growing bushier variety, could be perfect .
0
PRO
Timandra Design & Landscaping
5 years ago
I'm disappointed to keep reading the negatives of gum trees. They are magnificent plants that dont deserve the derision. And I've been designing gardens for about 40 years.
Your home lends itself to an interesting native garden. Eucalyptus (gums) are available in a range of sizes enabling the ubiquitous 'Australian garden' to stand out.
You can underplant these with clipped Westringia, Correas (both demanding well-drained soil) and Lomandra grasses. A few rocks would also add to the effect.
Lilly Pillies are native, but are better placed in contemporary situations as hedge plants and not the Australiana style.

Sponsored

More Discussions

Ground Floor plan

18

Kitchen steps up to outdoors

12

Which clear varnish won’t change the colour of the timber?

1

I have a small home & need a new kitchen. Does anyone have any ideas?

39

Pendant ideas for our kitchen and living area

12