How do we modernise a 70s brick exterior?
Hi there. We have just purchased a classic 70s brick house with excellent bones in a great location, but we are wanting to modernise the exterior but not sure what to do! Hate rendering and have read mixed reviews on painting brick. At a minimum we're thinking that we'll paint the driveway, clean up white roof, put plantation shutters in front windows and also build a front fence. Don't actually mind the front arches so keen to keep those.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Comments (16)
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Help Modernising our 1970's Brick Home Exterior
Comments (36)This is just like our Mediterranean house in Canberra. It was rendered white which never cracked or got mould on it, though I would prefer it to be done in a modern colour like our current home on the Gold Coast which is a rich sand colour with a heavy bagged appearance that has faded from a strong dark sand. With beautiful dark patterned orangey tiles all outside that reflect their colour on the walls during the day it is quite magical. Roof tiles also spray painted after being re pointed. I suggest you amplify the lovely quality of arches and don't go for what is trendy. But go with colour scheme for the house design. At our entrance there is a built up garden courtyard feature with wonderful iron gates and a large water feature in the courtyard that the lounge room looks out to and has the French doors that also opened onto the courtyard garden. Commence the courtyard wall to the left side of the steps and create a flat area at the gated entrance where we had a north single gate and a west double gate. The Pines were planted on the outside of this courtyard wall and gave extra privacy and blocked the westerly afternoon sun. The house always looked impressive, yet was just a simple presentation....See MoreExterior Modernisation of 1960's Brick Veneer
Comments (20)Hi Matthew we bought an old doer upper that needs refreshing so I was keen to follow your post. We so far painted the front door replaced front letterbox guerney washed the concrete drive and have bought a panel lift door for the carport. We removed all the overgrown trees. Maybe guerney wash your roof , driveway and front steps, thats our next job (roof) and start with the gardens. If you keep the awnings - spraypaint them in a single tone, paint or replace the driveway fence, Remove that tall shrub or trim it, plant a row of plants up along the drive. Great house, like ours you can only improve it in value. Enjoy renovating!...See MoreHow do we update our 70s orange-brick Brady Bunch house?
Comments (25)There's some great ideas there . The first thing that stands out is that pipe handrail downstairs -- I hate them with a vengence . Remove it , extend the step to fill the space , with 1 or maybe 2 small full-width steps . Just me , I'd do in charcol or black non-glossy 400 x 400 tiles . Most of the windows are black framed , and look okay in my opinion . Paint the upstairs balistrade in black or charcoal -- will tie it in and even though the style is dated , I don't think it would matter -- it would then look like part of the overall concept . I like the English White of the front door , but here's where I'd get colourful -- do the door jamb and the diamonds in the brightest citrus orange you can , and then carry it to the garage door ! The garage door surround ( including the 3 window surrounds above it ) I would paint in charcoal or black . And here's probably the most controversial part -- leave the awnings , but also paint them in Citrus Orange , with the ridges on them in a beige , maybe veering towards an apricot ! This will really lift everything visually IMO , the orange brick will tie in and bland in without looking overdone , the Bright Orange and mainly charcoal or black is modern but not too modern , with the English White door breaking everything while still having Bright Ornage to tie it all in . There looks to be a Butterscotch Orange gate to the left of the house -- obviously , you would repaint that in the brighter orange too , to look cohesive , but you already see how it looks more exciting than the Burgundy Red existing colours . Which leaves 1 thing I don't like the colour of -- the top fascia board or gutter . I suspect Vitamin C Orange would be too much , so probably play it safe , and go either charcoal , or a lighter greeny/grey to match the roof tiles . Probably not what everyone would do -- but that's what I would do with that pallette !...See MoreNeed some ideas on modernising our 70’s brick house
Comments (5)I guess it depends on your budget . I'd tend to initially keep it 'simple' , and do the retaining posts in charcoal , or even a silvery grey . The trim I initially thought charcoal too , but your windows look like they may be white frames , or aluminium , so in that case stick with the white theme too , although the existing garage door/gates in mostly white is then too much white IMO , but you want to change that anyway . Because of the shape , the door is going to be custom -- I'd do a cedar panel type door , or possibly a single piece tilt door may close flush , but I suspect it won't . So clean lines , a clean look to the house , with a darker contrast in the retaining wall . If that doesn't look right , and/or you have a bigger budget , then a new retaining wall in concrete or blocks , with an off-white render , will look classy , but its mixing up eras and styles a bit too much for my liking -- next thing you'll want to square off the garage and all thge windows , and render the whole house . That would work , cost a lot , and look good -- but why ? Apart from the yellow , theres not too much wrong , so embrace it !...See More- PRO5 years ago
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I totally agree keep it all original, especially as you love so many features. just focus on repairing and upgrading the functional aspects of the house, glazing, heating and things that help it feel like new. invest in some retro landscaping, a rambling monstera, and some pots in macrame hangers. source some retro glass and earthy stoneware pots. there are some great new tiles that draw on the 70s style. maybe tiling the porch to make an entry feature. i think you need a rattan shelf and armchair and a pappassn chair, you know those round ones?
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Great ideas, I agree with not rendering everything which seems to be the go to for everyone, If anything I prefer paint or Bagging, Adding white internal window shutters and even to the Arches, or black iron windows and door to Verandah gives a stylish update
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Jo M