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)
User
3 years agolast modified: 3 years ago
Kate
3 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 MoreHelp with Australian 70's orange brick home
Comments (2)Could you add an exterior picture of the front door? Is the roof tile terracotta with some charcoal colour throughout? I've seen house with similar brick and roof colour (I think) and they've done new gutters and fascia in colorbond monument. Looks great. The colour is already there on the window sills and fence capping tile....See MoreHow do we modernise an art deco room without losing its charm?
Comments (23)I'd echo most others views -- personally , I could live with the aircon and the lights , but the furniture and the mirrors would go ! Again , just personally , I don't have a problem with the mirrors sizes , it's the silver that doesn't suit . I'd go approx 20% smaller mirrors , BUT with really nice wide sculpted dark wooden frames , and lift them a bit -- they almost look like they are sitting on the mantlepieces at present -- lifting them would show more balance IMO . Lounge suite I'd go big , boxy , good quality bright red leather . A modern corner suite would probably suit , or one with a moden interpretation of a chaise , but in big boxy red leather . Or maybe a more classic looking buttoned leather suite , just not in brown -- that would be too much brown . Red or white would work well . The dining suite could be a large 8 seater wooden table in darker brown ( that mahogony one clashes to me ) , or glass top and stainless if you want to be more modern , and modern red chairs -- several styles would work , depending on what table you choose , and how modern you want to be . And for a more modern twist on the windows -- wooden slat blinds -- I have done very similar in my own 95 year old place , and it works well ! My place is similar , although it doesn't have those higher picture rails -- my place has carved rails approx 1.2mtr above the floor level , and Rimu panelling ( a NZ wood ) below that -- has that 'gentlemans club' feel . I did the walls above that in a mid steel blue in some rooms , a grape colour in others , english cream in a couple , and an earthy orangey-brown with white gloss tiles in the kitchen ! And in most rooms , I did a feature wall , wallpapered in complimentary colours to the other 3 walls in that room ! Strange sounding I know , but it works ! In the larger rooms and entrance foyer , I have large gold waterfall chandaliers , the other rooms I have gold curved light bars with 4 to 6 led spotlights -- all with crisp white ceilings similar to yours , and art deco inspired ceiling roses and architraves . I love the mix of classic and modern , with a twist of class...See More70's brick house external makeover
Comments (15)JE C, we are replacing the 2 big windows in the bedrooms in the next month or so, but the 2 smaller ones are the in bathroom. The windows are not my style, but the bathroom is ok so we won’t be remodelling as early as we will be doing the bedrooms. And it’s a good question about going modern vs retaining the existing style. I don’t want to completely lose the uniqueness of the property, but it’s just not very appealing from the roadside, so I can’t help but think we need to radically change and therefore modernise it. The brown slated area has a slab and is about 5 - 6 metres wide and currently houses the rubbish bins! We have considered building another carport there as we can’t use the garage on the other side of the house (it’s too narrow)...See More- PRO
MB Design & Drafting
3 years ago Beris Miller
3 years ago
siriuskey
3 years agofianou luca
3 years agoI 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?
fianou luca
3 years agofianou luca
3 years agoMichelle Murphy
3 years agorachel pegnall
3 years agosiriuskey
3 years agoGreat 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
Nicole Hunter
3 years ago
Douglas Stewart
3 years ago
Jo M