Dilemma with an old Sydney Red Brick House
If you were to modernise the exterior of this Sydney red brick house, what would you do?
A lot of my neighbours are rendering their old brick homes white (or other light colours), and replacing/painting the roof with black.
I agree it's quite a nice in-vogue look, but I'm not sure whether it's something I want.
(Black roof tiles in searing hot Aussie summer? NO THANKS!)
The red roof tiles will most likely remain - they just need to be cleaned and restored.
I'm just not sure whether to render, paint the bricks, or just leave it.
I've read recently that red bricks are back in style.
The problem is that it's just not THESE red bricks!
Could it be a case of changing the style of windows?
Get rid of the all-concrete driveway and add more landscaping?
Get rid of the carport to show more of the house frontage?
Add trims to the fascia?
What do you think?
Comments (7)
Steve
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Red brick dilemma
Comments (14)I think the house could look really good either way. With a big enough budget and if you are up for dealing with possible quality problems and ongoing maintenance then changing the colour and making other updates could completely modernise the facade. But keeping the red brick could look better too. I lived in a red brick house and hated it but after seeing so many nice red brick houses I have come to realise what a huge difference the colour of the trims and the landscaping makes to such a distinctive colour. That front window is really prominent so it's important to get the window colour right. I like georgi02's suggestion of new double-glazed windows. I think there is more value in improvements with a practical benefit so you have the opportunity to do that. The patio and stair tiling looks neither matching nor contrasting so perhaps look at that. Lots of dense green foliage contrasts well with red brick so landscaping could make the red bricks a real feature....See MoreModernising exterior of 90s red brick house
Comments (16)You say this is a 1990's house . Its made to look like a 1930's house at present . To make it look 'modern' would take a lot of work , and IMO destroy the character of the house . Embrace what it is , tidy it and change the focus slightly , but personally I wouldn't take off the scrolls and those little posts , or even the walkway roof . Just my opinion , but if you want modern , you sell what you have and buy a modern place in grey on grey on grey , with charcoal -- there are more than enough unique points on this house that you either embrace it or you sell it ....See MoreFacelift options for a 1980’s brick house in Sydney
Comments (6)I'm different . I definitely wouldn't modernise anything . The left side of the picture looks great , really classy , the 2 storey right side is boring ! The bay window could do with being painted or replaced with a white frame colour , but the rest looks great -- especially that 'Bali' front door . So using that as inspiration , the right side I'd also do that window in white , but do 2 fake shutters that as closely match the front door as possible -- carved panels , maybe a circular lion in the middle of each one , the same colour and varnish . I've seen similar designs at ethnic type stores , and no doubt an on-line search would give you some tips and possible sellers . Then , the 'elephant' -- the garage doors . The cheap option -- paint . Maybe a mid orange or yellow ? More expensive but classier and to tie with the front door and shutters -- replace with wooden doors , my preference is wooden slats but the right style of wooden tilt would also work . Stain and varnish the same as the front door/shutters . Ties it all in , looks thought through , the same theme and period . Apart from that , waterblast the path , add a couple of small gardens with a variety of leafy plants , rocks and stones . Nice !...See MorePlease help us with ideas for our red brick farmhouse near Sydney
Comments (12)Hi oklouise, thank you also for your excellent ideas. We like the idea of the window seat, but in the first instance we will try removing the existing gable end and exposing the overhanging eaves as you suggested. We saw this sort of thing on some old houses in Orange (NSW) last weekend and really liked it, so it is uncanny that you suggested it. Do you think we could get away with a gable vent to make a bit of a statement, or do you think that might be a bit fussy? Regarding the roof, we are considering Shale Grey as it is light (and therefore will absorb less heat), and it it the Colorbond colour that supposedly most resembles old zincalume. However, we are still trying to work out if this works the best with our brick colour. Again, thank you for your advice !...See More
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